Thinking about becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Minnesota?
Need help figuring out where to start?
Nurse-midwifery is one of the more advanced fields of nursing that entails educational, certification, and licensure requirements to get into it.
But each year, thousands of nurses decide to take it to the next level by becoming CNMs!
It allows them to expand their career opportunities, earn higher salaries, and focus on a specific field of nursing that they are passionate about.
So, if you’re looking for a simple guide on how to become a nurse midwife (CNM) in Minnesota, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve divided the whole process into 4 easy steps to get you started.
We’ll also answer FAQs afterward.
Are you ready? Let’s get into it!
How to Become a Registered CNM in Minnesota in 4 Steps
Here’s a brief rundown of all the steps you’ll need to go through to get registered in Minnesota:
Step #1: Meet all the Prerequisites
Step #2: Take a Master’s Degree in Nurse-Midwifery
Step #3: Pass the National Nurse-Midwife Certification Examination
Step #4: Apply for APRN Licensure with the Minnesota Board of Nursing
Let’s take a closer look at each stage down below.
Step #1: Meet all the Prerequisites
Before you can proceed to becoming a CNM, you first have to meet certain prerequisites. These include:
- Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree
- Taking the NCLEX-RN
- Gaining a license as a Registered Nurse (RN)
- Gaining work experience as an RN
While the process may seem confusing, here’s a detailed article explaining how to become an RN in Minnesota.
If you’re an RN license holder with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as your educational background, then you’ll have to take an ACME-accredited RN-to-MSN (Master in Science in Nursing) bridge program.
This will convert your associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree, while also meeting the Master in Nursing degree required for a CNM.
Aside from the requirements you need to become a CNM, there are also things to avoid so that you won’t have problems later on.
Factors that may lead to disqualification from CNM licensure include:
- Conviction of a felony in any state of the U.S. or its territories
- Disciplinary action, conviction, or ongoing investigation for the past or current unauthorized practice of midwifery or medicine
- Misrepresentation on the CNM application form
Step #2: Take a Master’s Degree in Nurse-Midwifery
If you’ve got an RN license, then the next step is to take a Master’s Degree in Nurse-Midwifery. You can also opt to take a postgraduate degree or a doctorate.
Whichever type of program you choose, just make sure it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
So far, there are two accredited schools in Minnesota – the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Bethel University in Saint Paul.
The University of Minnesota offers the program in a hybrid teaching model involving both in-class and online lessons every week, making it easier if you plan to work part-time as you learn.
The course will take 3-years to complete and requires a BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0.
Other factors that will be considered include:
- Admission essay
- GRE score
- Letters of recommendation
Alternatively, the University of Bethel offers the Master’s course on their campus located in Saint Paul.
Some examples of areas you’ll be learning are:
- Newborn Care
- Midwifery Care During Pregnancy
- Ambulatory Care of Women
- Pharmacology
- Family Crisis Care
- Midwifery Care During Labor
You will also need a minimum of 2,080 hours of postgraduate clinical work before you can get a CNM license.
Step #3: Pass the National Nurse-Midwife Certification Examination
After you’ve completed your Master’s Degree in Nurse-Midwifery, you’ll be allowed to sit for the National Nurse-Midwife Certification Examination.
The exam is conducted by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), and applying involves filling out the application form and mailing it to the following address:
AMCB
849 International Drive, Suite 120
Linthicum, MD 21090
Alternatively, you could apply online through the AMCB website.
You’ll get to choose between several testing sites in Minnesota such as Minneapolis, Duluth, and Rochester.
The exam consists of 175 MCQs, giving candidates 240 minutes to complete it, with a passing score determined based on the test average.
You’ll be quizzed on several different areas in the following percentages (updated for 2023):
- Antepartum – 21%
- Intrapartum – 21%
- Postpartum – 18%
- Newborn – 10%
- Well Woman/Gyn – 19%
- Women’s Health/Primary care – 11%
For more information regarding the application process, testing, and syllabus details, consult the AMCB Certification Exam Candidate Handbook.
If you pass the examination, you will become a nationally certified nurse midwife.
Step #4: Apply for APRN Licensure with the Minnesota Board of Nursing
After becoming certified, you’ll then have to apply for your advanced practice certified nurse-midwife licensure through the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
This involves filling out the licensure application, and mailing it along with the application fee to the following address:
Minnesota Board of Nursing
2829 University Avenue SE #200
Minneapolis, MN 55414
You will need to:
- Complete the APRN Licensure Application (online or paper) and pay the $105 application fee and $33.25 criminal background check fee.
- Request the AMCB to send documentation of your current National certificate in good standing directly to the Board.
- Answer the first page of the Confirmation of Program Completion for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse form and request your CNM school to finish the last two pages. They should send the completed form directly to the Board.
- Complete the Confirmation of Advanced Practice Nurse Employment form.
- Complete a Criminal Background Check and fingerprinting process.
After receiving a response, congratulations! You’re now a Certified Nurse Midwife in the state of Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a CNM in Minnesota
What does a CNM do?
A CNM is a licensed healthcare practitioner trained in nursing and midwifery who is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
A CNM differs from a regular RN as their primary responsibility is providing primary healthcare to women of childbearing age.
This post and prenatal care, labor, and child delivery are all activities that a CNM specializes in.
How much does the CNM test cost in Minnesota?
The CNM examination is handled by the American Midwifery Certification Board and costs $500 for the National Certification Examination. The re-examination fee however is lower at $350.
The exam also involves a processing fee of $121.
How much does a CNM make annually in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, CNMs earn a respectable annual salary of $94,690 that year, which works out to around $45 per hour.
This is significantly higher than the compensation packages of other nurses such as RN license holders, due to the increased certification requirements.
How long will it take to complete a CNM in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, completing the Master’s Degree in Nurse-Midwifery will take around 3 years.
However, considering the minimum of 2,080 hours of postgraduate clinical work required, along with the examination and application process, attaining a CNM takes around 4-5 years, depending on retests.
Conclusion
So there you have it!
A complete look at all the steps you’ll need to go through to get your CNM license in Minnesota.
While the CNM process is significantly longer than a simple RN, the specialized field pays significantly more and offers nurses greater job stability as well.
You will also get to focus on a field you are passionate about.
So, just follow our guide and you’ll be a CNM before you know it.
Good luck with getting licensed!