What is a Midwife?
A midwife is a trained health professional who helps healthy women during labor, delivery, and after the birth of their babies. Direct-entry midwives may deliver babies at birthing centers or in the client's home. They also care for the mother and infant in the first 6 weeks of life, providing routine newborn exams and lactation support. The midwife may also provide well-woman services.
Midwifery Apprenticeship
Midwifery apprenticeship refers to learning midwifery from a licensed midwife (or other approved obstetrical practitioner) who guides the student through clinical studies through supervised, direct participation in the preceptor's midwifery practice. NCM requires that ASM students have at least two clinical preceptors committed to work with them in midwifery apprenticeships (just one to enroll).
Direct-Entry Midwifery
Direct-entry midwifery is distinctly different from the discipline of nursing. A direct-entry midwife is a skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery and trained to provide the Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle, primarily in out-of-hospital settings.
CPM or CNM
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a direct-entry midwife who has fulfilled the requirements and passed the national exam set forth by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). NCM's ASM program prepares and trains students to be able to take the NARM national exam and become CPMs.
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) first becomes a registered nurse and then seeks an advanced degree in midwifery. NCM does not train nurse midwives. Nurses are welcome into our programs but they are trained as direct-entry midwives.
Herstory of Success
Ever since 1989, National College of Midwifery has been providing students with a rich and diverse learning environment. Our midwifery apprenticeship teaching model launches students into the real world of midwifery and prepares them for the successful career they have always dreamed of. National College of Midwifery is located in Taos, NM and has over 150 students and an efficient and dedicated staff. We encourage faculty, preceptors, staff and students alike to grow, learn and create each passing day.
Celebrate with Us
The student experience at the National College of Midwifery includes a diverse range of cultures, curricula, and birth settings. Our students create their own options, making them directly involved in designing their own educational path which meets the high standards of our core curriculum. The National College of Midwifery has graduated over 400 students!
Certification Exam Pass Rate (ASM Program)
In 2020 96% of people passed on their first attempt!
Year #Tested #Passed %Passed
2021 22 22 100%
2020 25 24 96%
2019 25 25 100%
2018 32 31 97%
2017 16 16 100%
2016 21 19 90%
2015 9 9 100%
2014 36 33 92%
2013 30 29 97%
2012 18 17 94%