5 Tips for New Certified Nurse Midwives

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (or CNM) can be difficult! Not only do you have to graduate from a difficult advanced degree program, but you then have to pass a national examination in order to be officially designated. And that’s before the job starts!

If you are reading this, you probably know all of this already. You’ve graduated from your program, perhaps passed your certification exam, and are ready to start your career as a Certified Nurse Midwife. Read on for some helpful tips for new CNMs!
 

1. If You Haven’t Yet Passed Your Certification Exam -- Take It ASAP!

The American Midwifery Certification Board certifies CNMs before they can practice. This involves taking a national exam to ensure that you have a good understanding of the concepts and then applying for certification. The exam should be completed as quickly as possible after you complete your education program. The AMCB website states that “research indicates that candidates perform best when taking certification examinations immediately after program completion.”
 

2. Communicate with Other CNMs

Starting a job as a CNM can be a difficult process, and it’s important to communicate with those who have done it before. If you have a mentor from your time at school or a previous job, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask their advice! Alternatively, ISAPN has many members with advanced nursing degrees who we can connect you with.
 

3. Don’t Sell Yourself Short

It is easy to be modest on your resume and cover letter. When you are applying for jobs, ensure that your application contains a full list of your skills, knowledge, and experience. This will allow you to find the best job possible. If you need help, there are many sample resumes online that show examples of how to create a quality CNM resume as well!
 

4. Research the Company Before Taking a Job

If you’ve interviewed and been offered a job, you will want to investigate the company before accepting it. While there are plenty of steps that you can take to get a good idea of the type of company that you may be working for, at a minimum, you should take a look at their website, social media, and Glassdoor accounts. You can also see connections to the company if you have a LinkedIn account and should reach out to people you know to find out more about the company’s culture.
 

5. Take Care of Yourself

As you’ve likely heard, burnout is a serious issue in the nursing occupation. With such a widespread problem affecting nurses throughout the U.S., you should be constantly checking in with yourself to ensure that you are okay. If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, utilize your vacation and communicate with others at the company. Beyond these actions, there are many other things that you can take to help combat burnout.  
 

ISAPN Can Help

Does all of this seem overwhelming? If so, ISAPN can help. Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing is a professional organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, including Certified Nurse Midwives. If you need help with navigating this complicated process, become a member today!