Basically, Nurse Midwives receive their degree in nursing then have additional training to become certified as midwives. They mainly practice in hospitals, but there are a few who do homebirths.
Here's more from Midwifery Today about the 3 types of midwives. (http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articl...irthchoice.asp)
Certified Nurse Midwife
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who is educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery and who has met ACNM certification. She may work through a hospital, in a birth center setting, or in an independent homebirth practice in collaboration with a physician. There are only about 150 CNMs doing homebirths, however, because they must have written collaboration with a physician.
Certified Professional Midwife
A CPM is certified by NARM, the North American Registry of Midwives. She has generally passed both a written test and a skills exam. She may have received her training in a school or in a manner similar to the lay midwife's training. Apprenticeship is encouraged. There are also licensed or certified midwives in some states. Buy Paths to Becoming a Midwife for complete definitions. These midwives work in birth centers or at home.
Lay Midwife Empirical
This is a woman who has apprenticed with an experienced midwife and may have attended additional workshops and classes to supplement her education or she may have attended a school. Her focus is on homebirth or birth center births. She may be affiliated with a physician, but she is not under the physician's directive. She chooses not to be certified.
Here's more from Midwifery Today about the 3 types of midwives. (http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articl...irthchoice.asp)
Certified Nurse Midwife
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who is educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery and who has met ACNM certification. She may work through a hospital, in a birth center setting, or in an independent homebirth practice in collaboration with a physician. There are only about 150 CNMs doing homebirths, however, because they must have written collaboration with a physician.
Certified Professional Midwife
A CPM is certified by NARM, the North American Registry of Midwives. She has generally passed both a written test and a skills exam. She may have received her training in a school or in a manner similar to the lay midwife's training. Apprenticeship is encouraged. There are also licensed or certified midwives in some states. Buy Paths to Becoming a Midwife for complete definitions. These midwives work in birth centers or at home.
Lay Midwife Empirical
This is a woman who has apprenticed with an experienced midwife and may have attended additional workshops and classes to supplement her education or she may have attended a school. Her focus is on homebirth or birth center births. She may be affiliated with a physician, but she is not under the physician's directive. She chooses not to be certified.
