If you’re looking for a rewarding career path in the healthcare field, becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) could be an excellent option.
Many individuals pursue nursing careers because it allows them to make a positive difference in people’s lives
That is exactly what nurse midwives do!
Nurse midwives provide comprehensive reproductive health services to women throughout their lifespans—from adolescent care to post-menopause care. And they get to help women during pregnancy and childbirth.
Aside from a meaningful career, nurse midwives get paid well and have a lot of career opportunities.
Plus, pursuing this career path in the nation’s capital can give them access to many resources and state-of-the-art facilities.
So, if you’re interested in learning how to become a nurse midwife (CNM) in Washington DC, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ll help you wade through all the requirements by organizing the whole process into just 4 steps.
By the end of this article, you’ll feel ready to embark on the journey!
Let’s dive right in!
How to Become a Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Washington DC in 4 Steps
Becoming certified as a nurse-midwife requires you to possess advanced knowledge and skills beyond that of a standard RN license.
So, to become a CNM in Washington DC, you must have an RN license that is currently in good standing.
To learn more about how to become an RN, you can read this simple guide.
Once you’ve got that covered and gained experience working as an RN, you can start looking into advanced nursing practice.
Here’s a closer look at the steps you need to take:
- Step #1: Earn a Master’s Degree or Higher in Nurse-Midwifery
- Step #2: Apply for the National Certification Examination in Nurse Midwifery
- Step #3:Finalize Your License Application with the DC Board of Nursing
- Step #4: Get Your First Nurse-Midwifery Job—and Maintain Credentials
How to Become a Nurse Midwife in Washington DC Step #1: Earn a Master’s Degree or Higher in Nurse-Midwifery
To become a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in Washington DC, you must first obtain a master’s degree or higher (such as a doctorate) in nurse-midwifery.
You can do this by enrolling in an approved program of graduate studies, accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).
Program Content/Coverage
Such a program typically has both didactic and clinical components.
The didactic component is usually between 40 and 60 semester credits and covers topics such as:
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive health
- Anatomy
- Gynecology
- Labor and delivery management
- Newborn care
- Postpartum care
- Women’s health issues
- Healthcare policies and regulations
- Cultural competence
Meanwhile, the clinical component provides hands-on experience in prenatal care for women through labor and delivery to post-natal care of the mother and newborn.
This component usually requires approximately 1,000 hours of supervised practice in real clinical settings with mentor or precept students.
These segments are designed so they may be completed concurrently throughout the study.
Admission Requirements
Each CNM program will have different requirements for admission, but most schools require that you:
- Graduate with a BSN degree
- Have an active, unrestricted RN license
- Have at least one year of work experience as an RN (some require at least 2 years
Other requirements may include:
- Letters of recommendations
- A minimum GPA
- Personal essay
- A personal interview
How to Become a Nurse Midwife in Washington DC Step #2: Apply for the National Certification Examination in Nurse Midwifery
After completing your master’s degree program, the next step to becoming a CNM in Washington DC is to apply for the National Certification Examination (NCE) in Nurse Midwifery.
The examination will cover a variety of topics related to midwifery, such as antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, gynecology, women’s health and primary care, and newborn care.
It consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours.
To apply for this exam, applicants should provide all relevant information required on the application form and submit it online or manually to the AMCB at:
AMCB
849 International Drive, Suite 120
Linthicum, MD 21090
Taking this certification exam is key to becoming a CNM in Washington DC and should not be taken lightly.
Prospective CNMs must prepare for this exam and review all applicable material beforehand to pass with flying colors.
Successful examinees will receive their Certificate in Nurse Midwifery from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
You can read the Candidate Handbook for more details about the exam coverage and type, application requirements, etc.
How to Become a Nurse Midwife in Washington DC Step #3: Finalize Your License Application with the DC Board of Nursing
Once you’ve passed the certification exam, you can finalize your APRN license application with the DC Board of Nursing.
You do this online or you can mail your requirements to:
DC Board of Nursing
PO Box 37802
Washington, D.C. 20013
Indicate on the application that you are applying for a nurse-midwife license. Some also simultaneously apply for a women’s health nurse practitioner license. You will need to fill up a separate application for that.
To qualify for licensure, you must be:
- Currently licensed as an RN in D.C. in good standing
- A graduate from a CNM school approved by the ACME
- Nationally certified by the AMCB
During the application process, you will also have to:
- Upload a copy of a government-issued photo ID.
- Upload a passport‐type photo.
- Upload proof of name change IF the name on your application is different from the name on any of your supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee of $230.00 by Visa or Mastercard.
- Pay the criminal background check fee of $50.00 by Visa or Mastercard.
- Complete the criminal background check after receiving your code and fingerprint appointment schedule.
- Request the AMCB to send a verification of your CNM certification to the Board through email.
Once your application is received by the Board, it will be reviewed and if necessary, you may be asked to provide additional documents before they can proceed with processing.
To ensure the process goes smoothly, it is a good idea to double-check that your application is complete before submitting it.
You can also log into your DC Department of Health account to check if anything is missing from your application.
You can check the DC website for more information. They provide resources such as application forms, sample resumes and letters, exam study guides, and more that can help make the process easier for you.
Once all requirements have been satisfied and all documents are complete, the Board will finalize your license and send you an email confirming that you are now officially licensed as a certified nurse-midwife in Washington DC.
After receiving this confirmation email, you should receive your physical CNM license in the mail shortly after.
How to Become a Nurse Midwife in Washington DC Step #4: Get Your First Nurse-Midwifery Job—and Maintain Credentials
Now that you’re officially a CNM in Washington DC, it’s time to find yourself a facility to work with!
CNMs in Washington DC have a variety of job opportunities waiting for them. A few potential employers that come highly recommended include:
- Capital Women’s Care
- Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center
- Developing Families Center
- George Washington Women’s Center at the GW University Hospital
- Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health\
- Labor and Delivery at Sibley Memorial Hospital
- Providence Hospital’s Center for Perinatal Advocacy or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- The Family Birth Place at MedStar Washington Hospital
Beyond looking for an employer, CNMs must also keep their credentials updated. This starts with renewing your APRN license when necessary.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Washington DC, including Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), must renew their licenses every two years by June 30th of even-numbered years.
The DC Board of Nursing will send out a notification to APRNs that they must renew their license 60 days before the expiration date.
To be eligible for renewal, CNMs must hold a valid DC RN license and maintain national certification with the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
Furthermore, the renewal process requires 15 hours of continuing education in the APRNs’ field of specialization and at least two hours of continuing education in pharmacology.
As part of this continuing education requirement, CNMs are encouraged to take courses that focus on obstetrics, maternal health conditions, neonatal care, and other relevant topics related to midwifery care to stay current with best practices.
Aside from these requirements, CNMs in DC are required to register with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
Adherence to these requirements is important as failure to meet them can result in suspension or revocation of an APRN’s license which can have long-lasting consequences for one’s career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Nurse Midwife in Washington DC
How Much Do CNMs Make in Washington DC?
According to Salary.com, the average CNM in Washington DC makes around $131,197 annually as of 2022. However, the range typically stands at around $120,635 and $148,721.
How Long Does It Take to Become a CNM in Washington DC?
If you don’t have your BSN yet, it can take around six to eight years to become a CNM in Washington DC.
For those who possess a BSN, the process of becoming a CNM may take about two years to complete.
When Should I Renew My CNM License in Washington DC?
In Washington DC, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) must renew their licenses every two years by June 30th of even-numbered years.
Conclusion
If you are a Registered Nurse who is looking to become a nurse-midwife in Washington D.C., you will need to meet the requirements for an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure through the District of Columbia’s Board of Nursing.
Although it may seem overwhelming, you should keep the end goal in mind. The job of a CNM is very meaningful, fulfilling, and rewarding.
You get to help a lot of women (and their babies) while enjoying a professionally rewarding career and salary.
Just take the journey one step at a time and enjoy the process.
You’ll be a nurse midwife in Washington DC in no time!
We hope our guide has helped clear a few things up for you and we wish you all the best!