How Much Can a Nurse-Midwife Earn?
Career News April 11, 2013Becoming a nurse is one of the most rewarding career choices you can make. It gives you the opportunity to help others, progress in a professionally rewarding career, and working with people on a daily basis. However, do not conclude this is all for charity. Nurses are paid well for their efforts, and this branch of nursing is no difference. On average, a nurse-midwife salary can be approximately $80,000 annually. However, there are some factors that may alter your final salary.
What is the Average Figure for a Nurse-Midwife?
The more training you get, the importance of the degree, the more salary you can expect. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average nurse with only an associate’s degree can make over $60,000 per year. A nurse-midwife has the potential to earn $20,000 more. Naturally, higher salaries are given to individuals with special skills, particularly in areas that need more help; like childbirth care.
What Will You Be Doing on the Job?
Nurse-midwives can earn more money if they have a master’s degree. The subjects would consist of training in both nursing and midwifery. The advanced training would cover how to care for patients and how to provide services to women and newborn babies in a variety of settings. Not only is the training important, but certification is essential. Licensing will be handled at the state level.
Much of the daily routines will involve working with contraceptive devices and related questions. Your job will be helping women with their pregnancies, as well as other related services involving prenatal care. The essence of the job is to teach a mother how to take care of a newborn baby, and how to keep her body healthy throughout the process.
Where Will You Work?
Where you choose to work will directly affect your yearly salary. Nurse midwives with special skills will have more opportunities open up, and in a variety of facilities and clinic types. Hospitals are your first choice, and over 30% of all nurse midwives will work in a large hospital. However, 30% of nurse midwives will choose to work in private practice with a doctor, such as a gynecologist or a physician involved in some other aspect of women’s health. If you have a degree and a career plan, you will most likely find a respectable and well-paying job.
Career opportunities will amass as you increase your education. Do not conclude that you have to work in hospitals, which may be lacking in terms of personal challenges. There are many nurse-midwives that work in private practice, and they can even go into business for themselves as consultants.
You can expect a career with many opportunities, and these opportunities and the choices you make will determine your success and your paycheck. Private practice and a hospital environment will be hugely different, so prepare yourself and research the option best for you. You will find this not only to be a financially rewarding career, but also one that makes you feel needed and gives you the chance to help others.
