Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What is the difference between a direct-entry midwife and a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)?
A: Direct-entry Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives are the two primary categories of midwives in the United States.
Direct-entry Midwives are educated or trained as midwives without having to become nurses first. They include Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), Licensed Midwives (LM), Registered Midwives (RM) and Certified Midwives (CMs). The legal status and requirements for Direct-entry Midwives varies between states. Florida recognizes the Licensed Midwife credential and practice is governed under F.S. 467 and Admin. Code 64B24. The Midwives Alliance of North America tracks the laws and regulations in each state for direct-entry midwives.
In Florida, Licensed Midwives (LMs) are fully autonomous and provide full-scope maternity care for low-risk people and collaborative care with obstetricians for people with risk factors. They are not required to have any practice agreement with a doctor. Florida licensed midwives meet their communities' needs in a variety of settings: clients' homes, birth centers, clinics, and hospital facilities. In collaboration with a physician they may also provide care for people whose pregnancies require medical supervision.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are educated and licensed as nurses first and complete additional education in midwifery. CNMs are licensed to practice in all 50 states and provide health care across the lifespan including routine care, sexual health, pregnancy and birth, and birth control. CNMs typically practice in hospitals and private practice medical clinics, but can also work in birth centers and attend at-home births. In most states (including Florida), CNMs are required to practice under the supervision and practice protocols of a doctor.
Q: What qualities does FSTM look for in its applicants?
A: Successful students come from all kinds of different backgrounds, with varying types of life experience. For example, the applications committee has found that giving preference to folks with previous birth work or those with increased academic experience does not necessarily result in a more successful student midwife. Qualities that the admissions committee considers to be contributors for success both in the classroom and in the clinical setting include:
Authenticity
Ability to not center one's self
Patience
A willingness to pause and observe
Grit
An ability to see the "big picture"
Able to anticipate needs before they occur
Solution seeking rather than problem seeking
Self-sufficiency
Kindness and compassion
Not easily flustered, or an ability to remain composed under stress
Additionally, students who are located in a region that is saturated with student midwives will experience increased competition for acceptance into the program. Applicants who have the ability and willingness to relocate for clinical experience may be prioritized.
Q: What is the class schedule like?
A: At this time, each semester’s schedule is dependent on COVID-19 rates and trends in Florida. Course schedules are available 6 weeks ahead of the start of each term. The academic calendar can be viewed in the current version of the FSTM Catalog. Additionally, students are required to wear properly fitting face coverings while attending classes and clinical experiences.
Our students live all over the state of Florida and commute to Gainesville for academic classes. They participate in clinical experience within their home communities, or as close as possible.
In Year One, midwifery students take the "Foundational Courses," such as Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Healthcare Skills I and II, Microbiology, and Pharmacology, to name a few. During the first year of the program, students can expect to be on campus approximately 1-2 full days each week.
In Year Two, midwifery students take the "Core Midwifery Courses," such as Antepartum, Intrapartum and Postpartum and spend more time at their clinical sites than in Year One. During the second year of the program, students can expect to be on campus approximately 2 full days every other week.
In Year Three, midwifery students take the "Advanced Midwifery Topics," such as Obstetric Complications, Establishing & Maintaining a Practice and NARM Review. Senior students spend most of their time at their clinical sites and are well on their way to becoming autonomous care providers! During the third year of the program, students can expect to be on campus approximately 1-2 full days each month.
Students' clinical schedules will vary depending on the clinical site.
Q: I haven’t completed all of my prerequisites. Can I still submit an application?
A: You may submit an application if you are still in the process of completing your prerequisites. In your application, please state your projected completion date for any missing documents. When interviews are schedule in late spring, FSTM may choose to grant or deny interview to students based on the amount of prerequisite completion so it’s better to get documentation in as soon as possible. Students who receive program acceptance but who have not yet completed all prerequisites will receive a “conditional accept” with a requirement to complete all prerequisites by August prior to enrollment.
Q: What credEntials will I be eligible for upon completion of the program?
A: Graduates of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery meet the requirements for and are eligible to apply for licensure in the state of Florida. They are also eligible to apply for the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential offered by the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM). CPM credentialing is not required for practice in Florida, but is recognized in some other states.
Q: What is the NARM Exam?
A: NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) sets standards for competency-based midwifery certification and issues the CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) credential. Upon completion of FSTM's Three Year Direct Entry program, our graduates are eligible to sit for the NARM exam. The exam is a requirement for the CPM credential and for the LM (Licensed Midwife) credential, which is specific to the state of Florida.
The NARM exam is a written exam on the computer. The only language currently offered by NARM is English. For more information about testing, click here to access the NARM website testing information page.
Q: How long does it take to complete the Direct-Entry Midwifery Program?
A: The direct-entry midwifery program is 3 years. Some students may take additional time to finish up their clinical numbers. The maximum allowable timeframe for program completion is 4.5 years.
Q: How does the clinical placement process work?
A: In the first semester of clinic, students participate in Clinical Site Rotations. Students commute to a variety of sites around Florida throughout the term and have the chance to observe and experience a range of clinical settings throughout the state. The following semester, students are placed at more permanent sites. FSTM does its best to place students in sites within their own communities. In the event that a student cannot be placed at a site within their community, they may be required to commute or relocate in order to attend clinic. Students and preceptors/mentors have the opportunity to meet and interview with one another to determine if they are a good fit for each other prior to clinical placement. Students work directly with Florida Licensed Midwives, Certified Nurse Midwives, Registered Nurses, or Obstetricians who work in home birth practices, birth centers, women’s health facilities, and hospital settings.
Q: WHAT IS THE COST OF TUITION?
A: The total cost of tuition for the program is $39,168 and the cost per term is $4,352. There are additional costs to consider such as supplies, books, housing, transportation and required training. These costs vary depending on the source.
Q: Does FSTM accept Financial Aid?
A: Yes, our school accepts most types of Financial Aid including Pell Grants, Florida Prepaid, federal loans and private loans. Please visit our Financial Aid page for more information.
Q: Can I work while attending midwifery school?
A: A lot of people come to us with this question, and the honest answer is that it is extremely difficult to work while in midwifery school. Our program is a lot like a nursing program in that way. This is largely because being on call for clinic is incompatible with most jobs. Some students can manage to work if they have a part-time job with an extremely flexible schedule or a schedule they set themselves (such as a massage therapist or business owner).
The program is academically rigorous and requires ample time to study outside of class, especially during the first two years. Students are on campus two full days per week during the first year. They're two consecutive days, and they're almost always week days. On rare occasions we schedule some classes on the weekend if they are "workshop style" and the instructor requests it. Most of our students commute from around the state for class and attend clinic in or near their home community. Some students travel or even relocate for clinic.
Students' clinic/call schedules vary widely based on many factors: the practice volume at their clinical site, the preceptor's schedule, the number of other students at the site, etc. For example, if a student chooses a slow home birth practice for clinic, they might be on call 2-3 days per week and attend 1 day of clinic per week. At a busy birth center, a student may be on call for births whenever they are not in class and attend several days of clinic per week.
One clinical credit is equivalent to a minimum of 60 clock hours, but students usually end up doing more clinical hours than the minimum in order to meet the required numbers for births, prenatal visits, etc. During the first year, students take one clinical credit, and this increases to three clinical credits in Year Two and four clinical credits in Year Three.
Our school accepts most financial aid (Pell Grants, federal loans, VA, Florida Pre-Paid, Bright Futures, etc.) to pay for tuition, books and other costs. Depending on their particular situations, some students get a little money back to help with living expenses. We advise all aspiring students to take the time to fully prepare for midwifery school in all aspects of their life, including shoring up finances, solidifying plans and backup plans for childcare, etc.
Q: Do you accept international students?
A: FSTM accepts international students, but as a small school, we are not currently equipped to accommodate student visas. Some international students are able to obtain a work visa to work with a Florida licensed midwife in order to attend our program.
Q: I am enrolled in another midwifery program. Can I enroll in Clinical Lab at FSTM and get my clinical hours and experiences in Florida?
A: No. Per Florida Statute and Administrative Code, all midwifery students must be enrolled in an approved 3-year midwifery program within the state of Florida to participate in the clinical setting. According to state law, non-matriculating "clinic-only" students are not permitted to participate in the capacity of a student midwife and would be considered to be practicing midwifery without a license.
Q: I’m an FSTM alumni. How do I request copies of my transcript?
A: Download the transcript request form from our website, fill it out and send to the designated contact on the form.