Name: |
Certified
Nurse Midwife |
Description: |
Cares
for childbearing women during preconception,
prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum
periods, and provides family-planning counseling
and gynecological care. Offers an alternative
childbearing experience to low-risk,
uncomplicated patients; the experience is
considered more natural and intervention-free.
Encourages active participation of the woman and
her family during pregnancy and childbirth.
Provides holistic, continuous care, safe clinical
management, education, and, in some cases,
primary care for women’s health needs |
Settings: |
Hospitals,
free-standing clinics, schools, health
departments, ambulatory care centers, homes,
private practice |
Characteristics: |
Patient
care and long-term relationships, autonomy and
independence, teaching patients and students,
making a difference in patients' lives |
Drawbacks: |
Unpredictable
timing of childbirth, long hours, irregular
schedule, lack of appreciation of role by other
healthcare providers, difficulty getting hospital
privileges, grief related to poor pregnancy
outcomes |
Desirable
skills: |
Sensitivity,
communication, flexibility, commitment to
holistic practice, desire to help others,
independence, refined assessment skills, sound
clinical judgment |
Education: |
AD,
Diploma, or BSN for certificate; BSN for MSN
program |
Employers: |
Hospitals,
clinics, health departments, private practices |
Certification: |
|
Organizations: |
|
Publications: |
| Journal
of Nurse-Midwifery |
| 800-753-2266 |
|
|
