Nurses Can Be Midwives Too
Before there were OB-GYN departments and doctors to deliver babies, pregnant women had to rely on wiser and more experienced women, known as midwives, to assist them in their pregnancies. A midwife specializes in the care of women during their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, as well as assisting with the care of the newborn up to six weeks. They help women have healthy pregnancies and a natural birth experience by providing education and support. They also can provide primary care to women relating to reproductive health and offer services like contraceptive counseling and gynecological examinations. Midwives are health care professionals and complete comprehensive training and examination in order to be certified. To be a certified midwife, one must have at least completed a bachelor's degree and complete certification through the American College of Nurse Midwives.
If you are a nurse finding yourself drawn not only the specialized area of OB-GYN nursing, but also to the entire process of pregnancy and birth, you can specialize in it by becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife. These types of midwives offer their patients the best of both worlds as they are trained and licensed in midwifery, as well as nursing. The additional nurse license helps a nurse-midwife to be able to provide the most comprehensive care and services to women. Nurse-midwives can give women more individualized care than an obstetrician, and are an attractive option for women who want help learning and adapting to the physical, as well as emotional, changes pregnancy brings. Along with the personal benefits of using a nurse-midwife, it is also a safe option. According the American Pregnancy Association, using a nurse-midwife is an appropriate decision in low risk pregnancy situations, which make of 60 to 80 percent of all pregnancies.
To become a nurse-midwife you must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, have a current and unrestricted license as a registered nurse, and obtain certification from the American College of Nurse Midwives. To earn certification you must be educated in midwifery through an accredited program affiliated with an institution of higher learning, be able to demonstrate your clinical competence, and pass a rigorous national certifying exam. Nurse-midwives can work in public, private, military or university hospitals. Working in a hospital environment ensures that physicians are always around and easily accessible in case of an emergency. Nurse-midwives can also work in private practices, such as OB-GYN offices, freestanding birth centers, and home birth practices. By working in private practices nurse-midwives can be more independent because there are less institutional rules and therefore more freedom to empower patients in their healthcare decisions.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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