Certified nurse midwives are skilled employees who assist in a variety of female health services. Typically employed by obstetrician and gynecologist offices, midwives aid with the prenatal care, labor, and delivery of babies; they also organize family planning counseling and gynecological care for clients. Certified nurse midwives can also work in hospitals, independent clinics, schools and other education facilities, public health departments, and private practices. They may also be employed in the home, similar to hospice care.

The main duties of a certified nurse midwife are examining female patients to assess fertility and fetal development; educating and counseling parents on family planning options, pregnancy concerns, and newborn care; and recording and reporting patient health and development on the appropriate forms and medical coding systems. The main skills needed to be a successful certified nurse midwife include empathy and concern for their patients, the ability to handle high-stress medical situations, and the attention to detail necessary to identify potential medical issues with clients; they also need good verbal and written communication skills to relay information to doctors, co-workers, and clients.

Certified nurse midwives are most often required to have a bachelor's degree in nursing, preferably with a special focus in midwifery. They are also expected to pass the license examination to become a registered nurse. Some nurses with associate's degrees may be able to find accelerated nursing programs that provide the proper education and certifications to practice certified nurse midwifery within one to two years of receiving their associate's degree. (Copyright 2018 PayScale.com)

Certified Nurse Midwife Tasks

• Assist women with labor and delivery of baby
• Oversee all prenatal care
• Provide gynecological exams
• Educate women and families regarding pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care