Nurse Midwife / Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (NM/WHNP)

A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who has also completed an accredited educational program in nurse-midwifery and passed an examination given by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, the United States has higher rates of infant mortality than many countries that use midwifery as their primary model of care. In the United States, some studies have indicated that midwife-attended births have lower NICU admission rates and lower caesarian birth rates. Midwifery is increasingly perceived as an appropriate alternative to traditional obstetrical care. Consequently, the need for midwives continues to grow. Nurse-midwives provide primary care to childbearing women in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings including hospitals, homes, and birth centers. According to a 2007 ACNM Salary Survey, 32.7% work in a hospital and 30.5% work in a physician practice. >> See complete data

The Women's health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) is a registered nurse who has completed advanced education with a focus on the primary health care needs of women across the life cycle, with emphasis on conditions unique to women from menarche through the remainder of their lives. Besides clinical care, WHNPs focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling, and helping patients make wise health and lifestyle choices.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Career Opportunities
CNMs and CMs work in a variety of settings including private practices, hospitals, birth centers, health clinics, and home birth services. The numbers and types of opportunities available to new graduates often depend on the individual's work preference and vary across the country and in different locations (urban or rural). It is also possible for CNMs/CMs with entrepreneurial spirits to set up their own practices, establishing themselves as health care providers in the community of their choice. CNMs have legal authority to practice in every state, the District of Columbia and most of the US Territories.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Education & Certification
To qualify for certification as a nurse midwife, candidates have to be registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) (formerly the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Division of Accreditation (DOA)) and have passed a national certification examination to receive the professional designation of certified nurse-midwife. Nurse-midwives have been practicing in the U.S. since the 1920s. The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) [formerly the ACNM Certification Council (ACC)] administers the national certification examination for CNMs. The certification for individuals who pass the AMCB national exam after January 1996 expires after five years and will require re-certification to maintain the professional designation.

Most CNM's hold a master's degree (MSN, MPH, or MM). According to a 2007 ACNM Salary Survey, 80.6% of respondents hold a master's degree and 6.4% of respondents actually held some type of doctoral degree.
>> See complete data

Certified Nurse Midwife / Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Salary
CNM salaries vary widely based on geographic region, responsibility and experience level. A number of variables can affect salaries for CNMs and CMs including: type of practice setting (private practice, hospital, birth center, home birth, health clinic), geographic part of the country, type of location (urban or rural), benefits packages offered with salary, hours worked per week, and type of care provided (full-scope of women's health services, pre-natal care, gynecologic care, etc.) A 2007 ACNM Salary Survey found that CNM's median salary ranged from $79,093 to $89,916 (salary is for full-time work of 35hr+/week). >> See complete data

According to the latest data from Payscale.com, the national average CNM salary ranges from $70,730 to $89,315.

This site offers nursing programs that are accredited by CCNE and/or NLNAC. >> Read more on accreditation

Nurse Midwifery / Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (NM/WHNP)
Master of Science in Nursing

The ACNM and CCNE accredited Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program is designed to prepare the graduate to manage a woman's normal obstetrical and gynecological needs during the childbearing years, to manage the care of the normal newborn, and to provide primary care to women throughout the lifespan.

Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies established the Nurse Midwifery program in 1972. The program now includes an innovative Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program, which provides students with the opportunity to study women's health and midwifery practice through a strong didactic program that includes advanced courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment. The program also includes a clinical sequence that allows students to experience a wide range of women's health settings.

The Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program is for nurses who wish to care for the health and well-being of women. This area of nursing continues to grow. Nurse Midwives often specialize in prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care for women, but many also provide care for women throughout their lifespan. Becoming a Nurse Midwife takes focus and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable each time you touch the lives of expecting mothers and share the experience of welcoming their babies into the world. Women's Health Nurse Practitioners can become leaders in a variety of settings and situations, including opportunities to fulfill roles as primary care providers for their female patients.

Nursing@Georgetown's online Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program enables you to:

• Earn your Master of Science in Nursing degree in 17-18 months as a full-time student or in about 2 1/2 years as a part-time student
• Become an agent of change at the forefront of women's health care.
• Participate in Web-based learning in a live, seminar style environment.
• Participate in clinicals arranged by Georgetown faculty in close proximity to your home.
• Conveniently access your courses anywhere, anytime from any Internet-connected computer.
• Review recorded sessions to revisit coursework and presentations at your convenience.
• Enjoy all of the benefits of a Georgetown graduate student, including access to library resources, student services, and the Hoya alumni network.
• Enjoy the prestige of graduating from one of the most respected universities in the world.

• Advanced Health Assessment
• Advanced Concepts in Physiology and Pathophysiology
• Advanced Concepts in Pharmacology
• Research Methods & Biostatistics for Healthcare Providers
• Biomedical Ethics
• Health Policy
• Professional Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing
• Introduction to Reproductive Healthcare for Women
• Primary Care of Women
• Intrapartum, Postpartum and Newborn Care
• Professional Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing
• Complex Reproductive Health Care of Women
• Integrated Reproductive Health Care of Women
• Seminars in Advanced Women's Health Care

To maintain the integrity of our programs and ensure Nursing@Georgetown students benefit from carefully monitored clinical experiences designed to enhance their education and coursework, Georgetown University individually selects preceptors and clinical sites based upon each student's needs and location. Georgetown faculty members will make a concerted effort to identify a highly skilled preceptor in a clinical facility that is convenient to your current location.

• Family Nurse Practitioner - MSN

Currently we are only accepting students from the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, HI, MI, MS, MT, NM, NJ, OK, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, and WI.

Midwifery
Master of Science (Degree Completion)

The ACNM accredited MS program in midwifery allows the practicing certified nurse-midwife or certified midwife to validate and expand the professional competencies and skills needed for today's health care environment. Our midwifery education program was designed from the beginning as a distance-learning program that would value — and build upon — your previous midwifery education and practice. State-of-the-art communication technology, coupled with the professional expertise of an accomplished and caring faculty, will maximize your individual educational experience. Best of all, you'll remain in your own community as you work toward earning your master's degree by completing one course a term for just 4 terms or by completing 2 courses a term for 2 terms.

• Antepartum Care
• Postpartum/Newborn Care
• Well Woman and Maternity Care
• Intrapartum Care
• Health Care of Women
• Perinatal Complications

Nursing - RN to BSN
Registered nurses with an associate's degree or nursing diploma may complete the Chamberlain Fast-Track RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Program (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), which allows them to complete their education in an environment designed for adult learners. This flexible online program allows registered nurses to advance their nursing careers by earning a BSN degree in as few as 3 semesters. The program combines the flexibility and ease of online learning with no on-site clinical requirements. Advantages include the convenience of scheduling, focus on core concepts applicable to professional settings, respect for previous work experience and interaction with peers who share similar professional experiences and values. Online RN to BSN students will participate in experiential learning projects within their course work. Generous transfer credit opportunities available. RN's with an unrestricted license can receive over 80 transfer hours towards their BSN degree. The online RN to BSN program is accredited by both NLNAC and CCNE.

Nursing - MSN
Chamberlain offers two tracks for the Nursing MSN program. The Executive track builds the foundational skills essential to nurse leaders. Courses in the MSN Executive track include the foundations of organizational leadership, including managerial communication, organizational change, and decision-making. Students also complete a leadership practicum, allowing them to develop leadership skills. The Educator track includes courses designed to prepare students to teach in an academic or clinical-practice setting. Courses in the MSN Educator track include educational foundations, instructional methods, program assessment and evaluation, and curriculum development.

Clinical Nurse Leader - Master of Science
Sacred Heart University's CCNE accredited online master's in nursing is a highly innovative and challenging program designed to meet the needs of the working career nurse seeking superior clinical, administrative, and educational skills to move into management roles or positions with more autonomy. This specialization focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill this new and evolving role, such as evaluating patient outcomes, assessing risk, and coordinating with other health care professionals to ensure high quality care. The program prepares students to sit for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing CNL Certificate Exam. Even those students who are not interested in the CNL position can benefit from the integrated knowledge offered in this specialization.

Sacred Heart University also offers:

• Nursing - RN to BSN
• Nursing Education - RN to MSN
• Patient Care Services Administration - MSN

Nursing - BSN
Walden's BSN curriculum has been designed by nursing experts and provides RNs an in-depth understanding of evidence-based practices that can be applied on the job immediately. The program can be completed in as little as 18 months (time to completion depends on individual progress and credits transferred). This is a bridge program designed for RNs with a diploma or ADN.

Nursing - RN / BSN to MSN
This CCNE accredited online program focuses on developing leaders and educators to fill critical roles in nursing. Based on educational and professional guidelines from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Nurses Association, this program uses nationally known experts to help you acquire the knowledge to educate nursing students, staff and patients-and prepare for current and future career opportunities. The program is available to RNs with a BSN, ADN, or Diploma. Walden University seeks serious inquiries from U.S. and Canadian students seeking to enroll within the next 6 months.

• Education - BSN / RN to MSN
• Informatics - BSN / RN to MSN
• Leadership & Management - BSN / RN to MSN

Diabetes Nursing - MSN
Develop the advanced skills and knowledge needed to confront the growing impact of diabetes. In this specialization, part of Capella’s CCNE-accredited MSN program, you will prepare to lead, consult, and educate in diabetes treatment and prevention. The curriculum focuses on theories and evidence-based therapeutics to care for the special needs of individuals and vulnerable populations with diabetes and related conditions. Five field experiences, each connected to a specific course in your specialization, offer opportunities to put your courseroom learning into real-world action. Capella’s Diabetes Nursing specialization incorporates the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Specialization faculty combine top credentials, leadership experience, and backgrounds in frontline nursing. Capella’s multidisciplinary approach to nursing means you’ll prepare to address diabetes issues by strategically collaborating with leaders across the public administration, public safety, and health care fields. People likely to be interested in this specialization include nurses pursuing advanced roles as diabetes specialists and practitioner-scholars in a variety of research, clinical, and educational settings.

Gerontology - MSN
Chamberlain offers two tracks for the Nursing MSN program. The Executive track builds the foundational skills essential to nurse leaders. Courses in the MSN Executive track include the foundations of organizational leadership, including managerial communication, organizational change, and decision-making. Students also complete a leadership practicum, allowing them to develop leadership skills. The Educator track includes courses designed to prepare students to teach in an academic or clinical-practice setting. Courses in the MSN Educator track include educational foundations, instructional methods, program assessment and evaluation, and curriculum development.

• Nursing Leadership & Administration - MSN
• Nurse Educator - MSN
• Nurse Educator Bridge - MSN
• Nursing Education - PhD
• Nursing Practice - DNP

Nursing / Acute Care - MSN
Liberty University's CCNE accredited MSN in Acute Care program equips you to provide expert clinical care and related health care services and programs to individuals, families and people groups across the lifespan in a variety of acute care settings. Emphasis is placed on advanced practice in nursing and the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (C.N.S.) is integrated throughout the curriculum. Clinical practicum experiences are based upon your selected area of practice and are designed to further enhance clinical competence and to develop advanced practice knowledge, expertise and leadership. Through this program, you will also gain a strong awareness of ethical, social, and spiritual issues relevant to health and nursing care.

Nursing - BSN
Liberty University's CCNE accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.) program prepares you for positions of leadership in the nursing field. Courses are specifically designed for the practicing nurse, drawing from your real-life nursing experiences to expand your knowledge. You will develop strong leadership skills in collaboration with clients, other professionals and groups within the community for the purpose of promoting, maintaining and restoring health. You will utilize critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in determining nursing interventions and applying therapeutic skills, with emphasis placed on refining written, communication and research skills. This program is only available for students who already are registered nurses.

Nursing - RN to BSN
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is considered a standard requirement for registered nurses (RNs) seeking broader professional responsibilities and career opportunities. If you are an RN and want to advance your career, our CCNE accredited online Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program is designed to help you earn the credentials you need to qualify for new opportunities in specialized nursing and nursing management. Enhance your skills to better meet the demands of today's dynamic health care environment and pursue advanced professional roles.

This program offers a strong focus on professional leadership with courses in management, informatics, research, emerging trends in health care therapies, health assessment, and community nursing. The program also emphasizes health promotion, community health, health care information, professional ethics, diversity, and health care management. The capstone in nursing, which is completed in your community with the guidance of expert faculty, is designed to improve the delivery of patient care by allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills you learn online in a real-world setting.

• Nursing - RN to MSN
• Nursing - MSN
• Nurse Administrator - MSN
• Nurse Educator - MSN
• Nurse Informatics - MSN

Nursing - RN to BSN
The CCNE accredited RN to BSN program is an online nursing Bachelor's degree completion program providing Registered Nurses with access to the career advancement opportunities that come with a BSN degree. Graduates of this RN to BSN program perform better in their profession and assume roles that demand critical thinking, decision-making, communication and leadership skills. Core courses prepare graduates for population-based cases and the managed care environment. Support courses, electives and study in an area of student's choice cover additional current issues in nursing.

• Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - MSN
• Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse - MSN
• Clinical Trials Research - MSN
• Contemporary Nursing Faculty - MSN
• Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship - MSN
• Nursing - RN to BSN to MSN
• Nursing Leadership / Health Systems Management - MSN
• Women's Health - MSN Completion Program

Nursing - BSN
This CCNE accredited program is for actively working registered nurses (RNs). Based on National League of Nursing (NLN) competency standards, the B.S. in Nursing prepares you to become a higher level nurse in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The program incorporates skills and knowledge beyond the clinical aspects of nursing, integrating patient education, health promotion, nursing roles and values, and technology, as well as healthcare systems and policies into the curriculum.

• Nursing Education - RN to MSN
• Nursing Education - MSN
• Nursing Leadership - RN to MSN
• Nursing Leadership & Management - MSN

Nursing - BSN
The CCNE accredited RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses with an associate's degree or diploma in nursing. The format and courses of the regionally accredited program are tailored to meet the needs of the adult learner RN, and to maximize strengths that the working RN possesses. A bridge course facilitates the transition of the working RN into the baccalaureate program. Courses are taught by experts in their respective fields who share knowledge and experience in areas of clinical patient care, healthcare management, and professional nursing practice and leadership. Opportunities are provided to apply concepts, theories, and research in the RN's clinical practice. Both the science and art of nursing are integral components of the program and are woven throughout. Graduates of the program are prepared to become leaders in the nursing profession.

• Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems - MSN
• Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems - RN Bridge to MSN
• Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems - MBA & MSN Dual Program