Are you looking for a career that is both fulfilling and financially rewarding?
Are you a registered nurse who wants to become an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse)?
Are you interested in women’s health, childbirth, and newborn care?
If you answered yes to all of the above, you might want to pursue a career as a nurse-midwife.
And don’t let the process of becoming a CNM overwhelm you!
We’re here to help!
We’ve prepared a simple guide for you on how to become a nurse-midwife (CNM) in Nebraska.
Everything you need to know is summarized into 4 steps. We’ll also answer FAQs that will help you along the way.
You’re making a great career choice and Nebraska is a great place to work as a nurse-midwife.
So, if you are ready, let’s get started!
How to Become a Nurse-Midwife in Nebraska
A CNM or certified nurse midwife is a licensed nurse who has earned a master’s or doctor’s degree with a specialization in nurse-midwifery.
Hence, to become a CNM, you must first obtain your nursing license. Use this simple guide to learn how to become an RN in Nebraska.
Here are the steps you must take to become a CNM in Nebraska:
- Step #1: Earn a Master’s Level Graduate Degree in Nurse-Midwifery.
- Step #2: Pass the CNM Exam to be Nationally Certified
- Step #3: Apply for Licensure to the Nebraska Board of Nursing
- Step #4: Renew Your Nebraska CNM License
Let’s discuss each step.
Step #1: Earn a Master’s Level Graduate Degree in Nurse-Midwifery.
The minimum educational requirement for CNMs in Nebraska is an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing). However, you can also pursue a DNP or Doctor of Nursing Practice.
You can finish an MSN degree in two years with full-time attendance, but if you wish to study part-time, it may take about four or five years.
Accreditation
In choosing a CNM program, the first thing you have to consider is if it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Midwifery Education (ACME).
You can find a list of ACME-accredited programs here.
Unfortunately, there are no accredited programs in Nebraska.
That doesn’t mean your CNM dreams are over, though. You can still enroll in another state or enroll in an online program that partners with local health institutions.
Admission Requirements
Here are the basic requirements that you must satisfy to become eligible for admission to an MSN or DNP in Nebraska:
- You must possess a valid RN license.
- You must have at least 1-2 years of clinical experience.
Most institutions require recommendation letters, a minimum GRE score or GPA, and an admissions essay.
Program Content
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Board of Nursing requires that the providers include the following topics in their curriculum:
- Advanced pathophysiology/physiology
- Advanced pharmacology
- Advanced health assessment
The master’s program must consist of didactic courses that cover topics such as Midwifery Care, Ambulatory Care for Women, Women’s Reproductive Healthcare, Family Crisis Care, etc. The program must also include 30 hours of Pharmacotherapeutics.
Aspiring CNMs must also complete 700-1,000 hours of hands-on experience at a hospital or local clinic. Below are some facilities in Nebraska where students can take the clinical portion of their MSN program:
- Nebraska Medicine Bellevue (Bellevue)
- CHI Good Health Samaritan (Kearney)
- Community Hospital (McCook)
- Mary Lanning Healthcare (Hastings)
- Nebraska Medicine (Omaha)
- Regional West Medical Center (Scottsbluff)
Step #2: Pass the CNM Exam to Be Nationally Certified
The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) governs the national certification of midwives in the country.
The AMCB determines which applicants are eligible for certification through an exam administered by PSI.
The test evaluates your knowledge of the primary topics in nurse-midwifery, namely Antepartum, Intrapartum, Postpartum, Gynecology, Women’s Health and Primary Care, and Newborn Care.
The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice items that you can complete in 4 hours.
Here is a Candidate Handbook from the AMCB for more information on the exam.
You can apply for the exam by sending your application form along with proof of RN licensure and a $500 fee check payable to AMCB to the following address:
American Midwifery Certification Board
849 International Drive, Suite 120
Linthicum, MD 21090
410-694-9424 (Phone)
410-694-9425 (Fax)
You can also apply via the AMCB website by signing in to your account and completing your application via the CNM/CM Exam Applications section. You may pay the fee via credit card or by sending a check to the address above.
Once AMCB approves your application, you can schedule your exam online or via the PSI hotline at 800-345-6559.
You can schedule an appointment here.
If you have special accommodation requests, call PSI at 800-367-1565 ext 6750.
Once you pass the exam, you will receive a certification number, date, and expiration via your AMCB portal account.
Step #3: Apply for Licensure to the Nebraska Board of Nursing
All right! There’s just one more step before you finally get your license.
To start the application for licensure, undergo a criminal background check with the Nebraska State Patrol. You can find instructions on scheduling an appointment for fingerprinting via their website.
Print and complete the application form and prepare the rest of the requirements:
- A check payable to DHHS, Licensure Unit (refer to the fee schedule on page 1 of the application form)
- Proof of citizenship or lawful presence
- Proof of age
- Official transcripts from your CNM program
- Active Nebraska RN license or multistate license from another NLC state
- Certification verification from AMCB
- License verification for all licenses that you hold or have held in any state other than Nebraska
- Letter of explanation and a copy of the discipline order (if any disciplinary action has been taken on any of your licenses)
- Conviction information (if applicable)
- Practice Agreement – CNMs must have a practice agreement with one or more collaborating physicians who are licensed in Nebraska and whose practice includes obstetrics
- Completed criminal background check
Mail your application to the address below:
Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4986
Processing will take about 150 days. Once your application is complete, your license will remain pending until you enter into a Certified Nurse-Midwifery Practice Agreement with a DHHS-approved physician.
If your application is approved, you will receive your CNM license. Congratulations!
Step #4: Renew Your Nebraska CNM License
Now, it’s time for you to explore career opportunities.
Once you earn working experience, don’t forget to keep your credentials current.
To do so, you need to keep your AMCB certification current and comply with the 2020-2028 opiate prescribing CE requirements (3 CE hours).
You can find more information on the letter format and other renewal requirements on the DHHS website.
To maintain your CNM certification, you must satisfy either of the following:
- You must complete three AMCB Certificate Maintenance Modules and 20 CE contact hours every five years.
- You must pass the certification exam again and pay the $500 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Nurse-Midwife in Nebraska in 2023
How soon after I earn my master’s degree can I take the CNM exam in Nebraska?
We recommend you take the test as soon as possible after graduation. Studies show that nurses who take the exam early have more chances of passing than those who wait a few months.
You can schedule your exam as soon as you receive notification from AMCB that your application is approved.
You must also pass the certification exam within 24 months of getting your master’s degree. Otherwise, you need to repeat the program and re-apply.
Where can I take the National Certification Exam for CNMs in Nebraska?
You can schedule your exam at any of the following testing centers in Nebraska:
- H&R Block – Lincoln
2637 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510
- H&R Block – North Platte
519 S. Dewey North Platte, NE 69101
- H&R Block – Omaha
4843 L Street, Omaha, NE 68117
- Mid-Plains Community College North Platte
1101 Halligan Drive, Rm 205 North Platte Community College, North Platte, NE 69101
- University of Nebraska – Omaha
6001 Dodge Street, Kayser Hall – Room 522, Omaha, NE 68182
- Western Nebraska Community College – Scottsbluff
Harms Advanced Technology Center 2620 College Park, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
- Western Nebraska Community College – Sidney
371 College Drive, Sidney, NE 69162
How long does it take to become a nurse-midwife in Nebraska?
If you are already an RN, then it can take you anywhere from 3 to 5 years, depending on how soon you complete your master’s degree and pass the certification exam.
The application for CNM licensure can take up to half a year, including the criminal background check.
Conclusion
Nebraska had a shortage of OB/GYN physicians in the previous years.
Even now, the demand for midwives and nurse-midwives continues to increase. And according to the Department of Labor, we will see a 28% growth in jobs until 2028.
So if you are envisioning a future as a nurse-midwife in Nebraska, now is the best time to start.
The process might seem overwhelming, but you can do it.
Just follow our simple guide. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll be a CNM before you know it.
We’re rooting for you!