Nurse-midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed to oversee pregnancy and childbirth. Many also provide postnatal care. Like all APRNs, they can diagnose conditions, order tests, and prescribe medication.
This guide explores the best nurse-midwifery programs online and how to pick the right one for your needs.
The Best Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs
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What Can You Do as a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified nurse-midwives or CNMs primarily provide prenatal, labor-and-delivery, and postnatal care. Most work in hospitals or birthing centers, and they can also provide care during home births.
Nurse-midwifery is one of the higher paid non-physician jobs in healthcare, with a median annual salary of $128,790, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that jobs for nurse-midwives could grow by 11% between 2024-2034, faster than the average job growth rate.
What to Look for in an Online Nurse-Midwifery Program
To become a nurse-midwife, you must earn an MSN from an accredited school and pass board certification. The right program depends on your background and experience, career goals, program logistics, and financial situation.
As you choose your online midwifery program, consider these factors:
Applying to an Online Nurse-Midwife Program
Be sure to customize your application, especially your essay, for each school. Describe previous online learning or online professional successes to show that you can succeed in an online nurse-midwifery program. Make sure your references highlight your strengths.
Why is Online Nurse-Midwifery Program Accreditation Important?
Only graduates of an accredited program are eligible to take the board certification exam, which is necessary to become a nurse midwife. Attending a nurse-midwifery program online or on campus is a tremendous investment of time, money, and effort. Attending an unaccredited program can jeopardize opportunities.
- Accreditation means that a program meets a high standard of quality, as determined by an independent body of academics and practicing nurse-midwives.
- Almost no accredited programs accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.
- Most federal financial aid is available only for those enrolled in accredited programs.
- Most employers only consider hiring graduates of accredited programs.
Paying for Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs
As you plan how to pay for your online CNM program, factors to consider include the tuition cost (including whether you are eligible for in-state tuition); other expenses, such as books and fees; travel to any on-campus components; whether you can work while studying; and your current financial situation and eligibility for various financial aid.
Students who attend a nurse-midwifery program online are eligible for the same grants and scholarships as on-campus students. In addition to your school's financial aid programs, you can apply for financial assistance from government programs, foundations, nonprofits, associations, and corporations.
Some government programs may pay your full tuition costs or offer loan forgiveness in exchange for working in under-served areas once you graduate from your online midwifery program. Your current employer may also offer assistance, especially if you commit to remain with them for a period once you graduate.