American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Nurse-Midwives
Virginia State Affiliate
ABOUT CERTIFIED NURSE-MIDWIVES
A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), commonly known as a licensed nurse practitioner. As independent health care providers, CNMs have prescriptive authority in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and are defined as primary care providers under federal law. CNMs have been licensed in Virginia since 1975 jointly under the Boards of Nursing and Medicine.
· Nurse-midwives are Registered Nurses with two years of graduate education at accredited schools. Core competencies of nurse-midwifery practice must be met prior to taking a national certification exam. Certification by the American Midwifery Certification Board is required prior to licensure in Virginia.
· Midwifery practice is the independent management of women's health care, including primary care, family planning and gynecologic needs of women throughout the lifespan, pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and care of the newborn.
· CNMs in Virginia practice within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management, or referral as indicated by the health status of the woman or newborn.
· In Virginia, over 85% of CNMs are employed by physicians and their practices. - In 2013, there were102,147 births in Virginia,7.22% were by CNMs
- Out of hospital births: 1.01% by all providers: not just CNMs
- Total births covered by Medicaid: 30.9%, CNM births paid for by Medicaid: 22.98%
OUR PRIORITIES
ACCESS TO CARE – SB 463 and SB 620. We also support: SB 264/HB 581 and SB 369/HB 909. Reform statutes and regulations to conform to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. When APRNs are permitted to practice to the full extent of their education and training, they provide equal, and in some cases, better care[1]. In coordination with the three other APRN roles, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified nurse practitioner (CNP), CNMs are advocating for progress towards implementing the full Consensus Model in Virginia. In Va 70 counties do not have CNM care.
The Federal Trade Commission has endorsed APRN independent practice[2] as “a key component of our nation’s strategy to deliver effective health care efficiently and, in particular, to fill gaps in primary care access.” The FTC further observed that “based on substantial evidence and experience, expert bodies have concluded that APRNs are safe and effective as independent providers of many health care services within the scope of their training, licensure, certification, and current practice.”
HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET – Support and sustain programs, like FAMIS Moms, Comprehensive Health Improvement Program (CHIP), and Healthy Virginia Families, to provide quality prenatal, maternity, post-partum and other medical services to in-need pregnant women. These programs provide essential services to low-income pregnant women that are important for the short and long-term health of them and their babies.
CLOSING THE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE GAP – Support the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion option to provide coverage to over 400,000 Virginians who lack healthcare coverage.
BEST PRACTICES IN PERINATAL SUBSTANCE USE and INCREASED ACCESS TO TREATMENT OPTIONS –Support prevention efforts and comprehensive treatment access for pregnant women dealing with substance abuse. Oppose efforts to further criminalize substance abuse by pregnant women, as it discourages such women from seeking help and treatment.
For more information, contact your local certified nurse-midwife,
Jessica Jordan, CNM, Va Affiliate President, at (804) 677-5442 or Mary Ellen Bouchard, CNM, Legislative Chair, at (203)215-4685 or
[1] Journal of Nursing Economic$, Sept/Oct 2011
[2] Policy Perspectives: Competition and the Regulation of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Federal Trade Commission, March 2014