Bw. Carrington et B. Decker, A MASTERS-DEGREE FOR ENTRY-LEVEL ACNM-CERTIFIED MIDWIVES - AN OPTION OR NECESSITY, Journal of nurse-midwifery, 42(4), 1997, pp. 364-366
The health care industry is a massive system that is changing so rapid
ly that it is reinventing itself. With these changes, added demands ha
ve been placed on the knowledge base and practice of nurse-midwifery w
ith emphasis on primary care, administration, and research as well as
traditionally accepted nurse-midwifery practice. The American College
of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has a history of being alert to consumer dema
nds, sociopolitical forces, and the health care industry itself as sti
muli for change after full dialogue with the membership and appropriat
e study. Because the ACNM Division of Accreditation will be requiring
a baccalaureate degree upon entrance or completion of each midwifery e
ducation program by June 1999, dialogue should begin now about the ben
efits of requiring a masters degree as the entry-level credential. (C)
1997 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.