[dewi]

Can anyone help point me to a link about the recent statement from the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) seeking to limit recognition of midwifery providers to those who have received their training through government accredited programs.

I cannot find any information aobut this on ACNM website or NARM website.

Thanks

 

[notjustmamie]

Is this what you're looking for?

Mandatory Degree Requirements for Entry into Midwifery Practice

Quote:

It is the position of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) that certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives should be educated according to the ACNM Core Competencies and at the graduate degree level, and that as of 2010 completion of a graduate degree shall be required for entry into clinical practice.

Quote:

The ACNM Division of Accreditation (DOA) assesses the quality and content of midwifery education programs. The ACNM DOA is recognized by the United States Department of Education as an accrediting agency.

Midwifery Education

Quote:

All midwifery education programs are located in or affiliated with an institution of higher learning that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Beginning in 2010, a graduate degree will be required for entry into midwifery practice. All education programs accredited by the ACNM Division of Accreditation either grant a master's degree or higher or are affiliated with a school that offers a master's completion option.

 

[dewi]

Thanks, but i don't think so.
There was email I received from NARM.
I will email NARM and ask them aobut their statement.

 

[Sage.Naissance]

I know what you are referring to, I dont have a link.
If you ever read ACNM conducted studies or reviews they always manage to slip that opinion in there whether it is related to the paper or not.
Alas, ACNM is a nurse midwife association and they are trying to impose regulations on non-nurse midwives. Out of their jurisdiction, I might argue...

 

[dewi]

Sage, That is exactly what I'm looking for. I cannot find it.
I didn't know this, and feel foolish for not knowing.
The Big Push for Midwifery had something about this and i was so curious to read the original source myself.
I did not know it's in everything.

What ACNM is doing to other trained midwives reminds me what happens to a child victimized growing up, they become the abuser.

 

[nashvillemidwife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage.Naissance I know what you are referring to, I dont have a link. If you ever read ACNM conducted studies or reviews they always manage to slip that opinion in there whether it is related to the paper or not. Alas, ACNM is a nurse midwife association and they are trying to impose regulations on non-nurse midwives. Out of their jurisdiction, I might argue...

They're not trying to impose regulations on non-nurse midwives, they're trying to ensure that every midwife, nurse or not, has a university education (master's level).

 

[kimiij]

Does anyone have a link for this from ACNM?

I would be surprised that they were including CPM's in their position statement because usually in their documents they are talking about nurse-midwives (CNM's) or CM's.

 

[nashvillemidwife]

Midwifery Certification in the United States (March 2009)

 

[kimiij]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife Midwifery Certification in the United States (March 2009)

Thanks. Well, I'm interested in seeing what kind of response (if any) they will provide, including an explanation of their motives/intentions.

 

[BeckiCNM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife They're not trying to impose regulations on non-nurse midwives, they're trying to ensure that every midwife, nurse or not, has a university education (master's level).

Not a master's or or even a university education, just a formal educational program. Which is consistant with the ICM (International Confederation of Midwives) definition of a midwife.

The requirement for a master's degree is only for CNMs/CMs.

 

[notjustmamie]

What is the difference between a CM and a CPM?

 

[nashvillemidwife]

A CM is a graduate of an ACNM program and has a degree in midwifery. A CPM is credentialed by the North American Registry of Midwives and is usually apprentice trained.

 

[azjen43]

Maybe I'm missing something, but when I read the statement, it looks like it is a clarification of requirements for CNMs and CMs. I don't see any mention of other types of midwives, so I guess I am wondering how this is seen as imposing restrictions on states licensing CPMs or LMs. I will read it again to clarify, but if anyone can point me to the text that talks about that, I would appreciate it.

OK, I guess this is it:

"ACNM looks forward to the day when there is one unified profession of midwifery, with unified standards for education and credentialing, working toward common goals."

 

[nashvillemidwife]

The problem people are having is with the part where they "support laws and regulations that include" and the list does not include apprentice-trained midwives. Some people are reading this as they are trying to bar apprentice-trained midwives (most CPMs) from practicing legally.

Also, their definition of a "professional midwife" excludes most CPMs.

 

[kimiij]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjen43 "ACNM looks forward to the day when there is one unified profession of midwifery, with unified standards for education and credentialing, working toward common goals."

I actually completely agree with this. I think it would benefit moms and the midwifery profession as a whole.

On another note, when I first read the position statement, I didn't see a problem with it either. But yes, I can see how they will have problems with the "support laws and regulations that include" section.

I think that it does exclude apprentice-trained midwives if the following paragraph means that they only support laws that require ALL of the following items (more specifically, #1) as opposed to laws that just include SOME of the following items.

Quote:

1. Successful completion of a formal education program accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. 2. Successful completion of a national certification examination in midwifery. 3. Successful completion of regular recertification/continuing education. 4. A scope of autonomous practice, recognized by law or regulation, that is consistent with the content of the education process and certification exam. 5. Governance of health care that supports seamless access to and collaboration with qualified health care professionals and institutions within the health care system.

#1 is really the only one that would not apply to apprentice-trained midwives.

But, if the list is more inclusive rather than exclusive, then there may not be an issue.

 

[nashvillemidwife]

Yes, they are looking for all of those things.

This is not a new issue or new sentiment. They are just formalizing their position, the same one they've had as long as I've been a midwife.

 

[mwherbs]

well in the midwifery education push there are rumblings that CNMs should have doctorates --- so standardizing a masters has to come first- unfortunately the tons of education does not mean it will improve midwifery care or practice- the educational requirements of mws in other countries to (countries with more mw attendance and lower infant mortality) is basically a 3 year CNM --
additionally the CPM study shows better than and = to hospital mortality- so there is really no need to increase educational costs to be a midwife- other than to limit the numbers of women who can become midwives--

 

[Pirogi]

I guess my question is, who is the ACNM, that I should care what they support or not? I am enrolled in a distance learning course (and a darn good one too) and plan to apprentice for several years before practicing independently. Isn't the ACNM just a trade organization for nurse midwives? Who cares if they don't like my CHOSEN method of education? Who cares if they support me or not? I don't require their approval to learn. Now, if they push for legislation that limits my freedom to practice after choosing a distance learning course, or self-study, or apprenticeship-learning only, then it becomes a problem.

Institutions and governmental approval and regulations DO NOT ensure quality education, experience, or better-trained midwives. They just don't. In fact, I would argue that when restrictions are placed on the "proper" way to learn, the opportunity is greater to produce students (and therefore subsequently midwives) who lack innovation, critical thinking skills, and the capacity for indepedent thought.

So, I say to ACNM:

 

[nashvillemidwife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirogi I guess my question is, who is the ACNM, that I should care what they support or not? I am enrolled in a distance learning course (and a darn good one too) and plan to apprentice for several years before practicing independently. Isn't the ACNM just a trade organization for nurse midwives? Who cares if they don't like my CHOSEN method of education? Who cares if they support me or not?

You're not just talking about a mindless organization, you're talking about the mindset of its members. One day your training is going to be over and you're going to be working in the field, do you really want such a hard row to hoe with your colleagues looking down their noses at your education? I, for one, do care if they support me.

Quote:

Now, if they push for legislation that limits my freedom to practice after choosing a distance learning course, or self-study, or apprenticeship-learning only, then it becomes a problem.

So supporting that legislation is okay, as long as they don't actively "push" for it?

 

[Pirogi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife You're not just talking about a mindless organization, you're talking about the mindset of its members. One day your training is going to be over and you're going to be working in the field, do you really want such a hard row to hoe with your colleagues looking down their noses at your education? I, for one, do care if they support me. So supporting that legislation is okay, as long as they don't actively "push" for it?

Would it be nice if all the midwives of the world would sit around in a circle and sing kumbaya? Of course. I am not saying that I enjoy their divisiveness. Can I do anything to change their minds if they are set on it? Nope. People will be people. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

What exactly do you propose that I and other midwifery students, who are the object of their scorn, do to change their minds? Somehow writing a letter doesn't seem like it would do much good.

That is my point - if those who don't share their views choose to dismiss them for being exclusive and controlling, then the ACNM and their adherents can propose and assert and sit with their noses in the air until they drown in the rain. It won't matter. People only have as much control over me as I allow them. But maybe, just maybe, passive peaceful resistance is a better path than contributing to the infighting. I WILL be an excellent midwife someday. That is enough for me.