Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and the University of Minnesota School of Nursing have established a collaborative academic pathway for nurse-midwives to expand the nurse-midwifery workforce in the Upper Midwest. The collaboration creates a pathway for students admitted to the University of Minnesota School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program to complete the approximately 1,000 hours of required clinical training at Mayo Clinic hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The program is open to nurses who work within and outside of Mayo Clinic.

Courses are taught by University of Minnesota faculty as well as Mayo Clinic-certified nurse-midwives, who hold adjunct faculty positions with the School of Nursing. The program’s hybrid-by-design structure maximizes education while offering flexibility. The post-baccalaureate DNP program is a three-year program plan for completion of program requirements. All DNP students are required to attend a one-week in-person session each semester at the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus that includes core courses, enhancement programming, specialty courses, and meetings with their adviser.

Program highlights

Midwifery students gain valuable clinical skills and knowledge in their coursework. Courses in pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, physiology, pathophysiology, and health assessment are the building blocks to five semesters of midwifery specific courses. All midwifery students are required to complete a course on racism and health disparity prevention specific to the midwifery profession.

Through coursework in informatics, economics, evidence-based practice, policy, and completion of a quality improvement project, graduates are prepared to affect change within their clinical environment and those interested may take on formal leadership positions.

Midwifery students have the opportunity to earn a 12-credit Certificate in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices for those seeking greater expertise in integrative health. There are also options to add a 12-credit minor in Public Health. Public health minor opportunities include American Indian Health and Wellness, Global Public Health, Health Equity, and Sexual Health.

Completion and certification

Upon completion of the program requirements, students will receive a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a specialty in Nurse-Midwifery through the University of Minnesota. Mayo Clinic cohort students will also receive a Certificate of Completion from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

Upon successful completion of the midwifery course of study, graduates are eligible to take the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) national certification examination to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife. Issuing of the certificate is not contingent upon passing the board of certification exam.

Accreditation

The midwifery program at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing is fully-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). For information about accreditation, contact ACME.