Becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife takes multiple steps, and includes earning an advanced degree. Becoming a midwife is an exciting opportunity to join an honorable lineage of health care providers who serve women throughout their lifespan, in every rural, urban, tribal, and remote area of the world. These often include: As of 2010, a graduate degree is required for entry to midwifery practice as a CNM. Most of the midwifery degree or certifications require you to get re-certifications every 3 or 5 years. In general, you’ll need to meet certain requirements before enrolling in a CNM program. In other words, it can take several years to achieve your goal of becoming a CNM. General advanced-practice courses are completed in the first part of the program. The training needed to become a nurse midwife is incorporated in the advanced degree program. Though having ancient roots, this modern profession is on the cutting edge of providing up-to-date, personalized, high quality care. One of the benefits of becoming a midwife is that you have the flexibility to work in a variety of locations. Once the general courses are completed, students can choose a midwifery specialty track. To become a nurse midwife, you’ll need to earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Skills Required to Become a Midwife: Qualification is just one part of the coin. Whether you currently have your associate’s or bachelor’s degree, there are programs that can allow you to work toward your MSN. You need to abide by the guidelines stated in order to succeed in your midwifery career. Over 95 percent of babies delivered by CNMs in the U.S. are born in hospitals, says the ACNM, but CNMs can work in private practices with physicians or other CNM/CMs, at birth centers, or in clinics, military bases, or homes, depending on the laws that regulate each state.