Nurse-midwifery: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
This article chronicles the dramatic changes in nurse-midwifery over the last 25 years. Presently, multiple models of midwifery education leading to certification exist, all within a competency-based framework. Accreditation of education programs and the certification process within nurse-midwifery remain examples to others. The consumer demand for certified nurse-midwives continues to rise, spurring the preparation for more professionals. However, the average woman in the United States still does not have access to a certified nurse-midwife/certified midwife for care. Several of the barriers to practice have been dismantled during the last quarter century; however, adequate reimbursement, relationships with various groups, and managed care are among the issues that will challenge midwifery in the new century.
Brucker
M C
MC
Parkland School of Nursing-Midwifery, Dallas, Texas, USA. mbruck@parknet.pmh.org
Reedy
N J
NJ
D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education / Q000266:history / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States