The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
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.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online nurse midwifery programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Keep reading to learn more, or go straight to our list of the best online nurse midwifery programs.
The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
What Can You Do as a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified nurse midwives 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 $111,130, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that jobs for nurse midwives could grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030, 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:
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Admission Requirements
The school’s admission requirements reflect what it values in students and tell you what applicants are most likely to be successful. -
Program Curriculum
While nurse midwifery program online courses are standardized around a core curriculum, electives vary. The program description also indicates a program’s values. -
Clinical Experience
Attending a nurse midwifery program online means you must find clinical placement in your community or be able to commute. Students should determine whether the format works with their existing schedule and responsibilities. -
Accreditation
Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible for certification and licensure. -
Program Length
Program lengths can vary by school. Do the time frame and pacing options work for your needs and existing responsibilities? -
School NCLEX Pass Rate
The online midwifery program board certification pass rate is a vital quality indicator, even for graduate programs. This metric can tell you about the overall quality of the nursing program and school. Look at the pass rates and the graduation rate together, since a high pass rate but a low graduation rate may indicate if students have left the program before completion. -
School Graduation Rate
A high graduation rate, combined with a high pass rate, demonstrates program quality. It shows that the school makes the right admission decisions and that students succeed in the program. -
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Attending a nurse midwifery program online entails virtual interaction with faculty, staff, and other students while taking classes. Do the classroom, networking, and discussion tools meet your learning needs?
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 midwifery program. Make sure your references highlight your strengths.
Admission Materials
Current and unencumbered RN license; an undergraduate transcript; CV/resume; at least two references; an application that includes an essay or personal statement
GPA Requirement
Most nurse midwife programs online require at least a 3.0 GPA.
Other Requirements
Most schools require or strongly prefer approximately two years of experience as an RN. Many schools require an undergraduate statistics class. If you do not have a BSN, you can enroll in an RN-to-MSN bridge program.
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 midwifery 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Midwifery Programs
What type of education is needed to become a nurse midwife?
You need to earn an MSN from an accredited nurse midwifery program online or on campus and pass the American Midwifery Certification Board examination. If you don’t have a BSN, many online nurse midwifery programs offer a bridge program for ADNs.
What is the difference between a nurse midwife and a labor and delivery nurse?
A nurse midwife is a board certified advanced practice nurse who is licensed to oversee a birth. A labor and delivery nurse typically has a BSN or ADN and may have additional certification, but is not licensed to oversee a birth.
How long does it take to become a nurse midwife?
If you have a BSN, an MSN typically takes two years of full-time study, whether you attend your nurse midwife program online or on campus. If you don’t have a BSN, it typically takes three years of full-time study.
Is certification required to become a nurse midwife?
To become a nurse midwife, you must pass the American Midwifery Certification Board examination. All state nursing boards require this in order to earn your license. You also need an MSN from an accredited program.