CNM / CM
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) / Certified Midwives (CMs) play a transformative role in reproductive justice—combining clinical expertise with holistic, patient-centered care. Many Certified Nurse-Midwives and Certified Midwives are at the frontlines of providing sexual reproductive health including early abortion care, contraception, and miscarriage management.
Overview & Expectations
Location matters. It’s important to ask yourself: Can Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) legally provide abortion care where you plan to live, work, or enroll in school?
Consider: What types are allowed (procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, early pregnancy loss)? Any supervision/collaboration limits? What are the limitations to practice as a CNM?
If considering Nurse Corps or National Health Services Corps (NHSC), note multi-year primary-care service commitments.
Location matters. It’s important to ask yourself: Can Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) legally provide abortion care where you plan to live, work, or enroll in school?
Consider: What types are allowed (procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, early pregnancy loss)? Any supervision/collaboration limits? What are the limitations to practice as a CNM?
If considering Nurse Corps or National Health Services Corps (NHSC), note multi-year primary-care service commitments.
Degrees / Routes: CNM → Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) / Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); some direct-entry / bridge options.
Degrees / Routes: CNM → Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) / Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); some direct-entry / bridge options.
Do I need to be an RN? Many CNM routes require a Registered Nurse (RN); look at combined / accelerated Bachelor of Arts (BA) → Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) → Certified-Midwifery and direct entry programs do not require a RN degree.
Do I need to be an RN? Many CNM routes require a Registered Nurse (RN); look at combined / accelerated Bachelor of Arts (BA) → Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) → Certified-Midwifery and direct entry programs do not require a RN degree.
Prerequisites (vary by program): Biology / Anatomy, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Statistics, etc.
Prerequisites (vary by program): Biology / Anatomy, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Statistics, etc.
Costs & Funding: Tuition varies; explore scholarships, fellowships, employer tuition support, and loan-repayment programs (NHSC / Nurse Corps).
Costs & Funding: Tuition varies; explore scholarships, fellowships, employer tuition support, and loan-repayment programs (NHSC / Nurse Corps).
Program Lists: List of CNM/CM programs • List of DNP programs
Program Lists: List of CNM/CM programs • List of DNP programs
Programs that emphasis abortion training: University of California-San Francisco, University of Washington, University of Illinois and Rutgers University.
Programs that emphasis abortion training: University of California-San Francisco, University of Washington, University of Illinois and Rutgers University.
Degrees / Routes: CNM → Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) / Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); some direct-entry / bridge options.
Do I need to be an RN? Many CNM routes require a Registered Nurse (RN); look at combined / accelerated Bachelor of Arts (BA) → Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) → Certified-Midwifery and direct entry programs do not require a RN degree.
Prerequisites (vary by program): Biology / Anatomy, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Statistics, etc.
Costs & Funding: Tuition varies; explore scholarships, fellowships, employer tuition support, and loan-repayment programs (NHSC / Nurse Corps).
Program Lists: List of CNM/CM programs • List of DNP programs
Programs that emphasis abortion training: University of California-San Francisco, University of Washington, University of Illinois and Rutgers University.
Masters or DNP? Timeline, cost, leadership, and alignment with future professional research, teaching and clinical goals.
Masters or DNP? Timeline, cost, leadership, and alignment with future professional research, teaching and clinical goals.
Would a NP or PA pathway be better for me if I am less interested in doing birth work?
Would a NP or PA pathway be better for me if I am less interested in doing birth work?
Is abortion education integrated (electives / certificates / required didactic)?
Is abortion education integrated (electives / certificates / required didactic)?
What does didactic cover in RN vs CNM/CM portions?
What does didactic cover in RN vs CNM/CM portions?
Is abortion part of clinical training? Preceptors open to abortion care?
Is abortion part of clinical training? Preceptors open to abortion care?
Can I request clinical rotations where abortions occur?
Can I request clinical rotations where abortions occur?
While RN, can I gain abortion skills (private practice (PP), independent clinics, labor & delivery (L&D), recovery room, moderate sedation, and ultrasound)?
While RN, can I gain abortion skills (private practice (PP), independent clinics, labor & delivery (L&D), recovery room, moderate sedation, and ultrasound)?
Masters or DNP? Timeline, cost, leadership, and alignment with future professional research, teaching and clinical goals.
Would a NP or PA pathway be better for me if I am less interested in doing birth work?
Is abortion education integrated (electives / certificates / required didactic)?
What does didactic cover in RN vs CNM/CM portions?
Is abortion part of clinical training? Preceptors open to abortion care?
Can I request clinical rotations where abortions occur?
While RN, can I gain abortion skills (private practice (PP), independent clinics, labor & delivery (L&D), recovery room, moderate sedation, and ultrasound)?
Work / volunteer in family planning clinics; doula roles to see day-to-day flow.
Work / volunteer in family planning clinics; doula roles to see day-to-day flow.
Clinic escorting to understand patient perspective and experience.
Clinic escorting to understand patient perspective and experience.
Volunteer or intern at clinics like CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health.
Volunteer or intern at clinics like CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health.
Sign up for newsletters / add these to your list:
Sign up for newsletters / add these to your list:
Enhance studies: TEACH curriculum & NSRH RJ modules & clinical content
Work / volunteer in family planning clinics; doula roles to see day-to-day flow.
Clinic escorting to understand patient perspective and experience.
Volunteer or intern at clinics like CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health.
Sign up for newsletters / add these to your list:
Enhance studies: TEACH curriculum & NSRH RJ modules & clinical content
Cultivate Awareness
Take electives in sexual and reproductive health, cultural humility, Feminist Theory, and Social Justice
Take electives in sexual and reproductive health, cultural humility, Feminist Theory, and Social Justice
Learn about state certified midwifery laws related to abortion provision and prescriptive authority.
Learn about state certified midwifery laws related to abortion provision and prescriptive authority.
Read about certified midwives’ historic and current role in abortion and family planning access.
Read about certified midwives’ historic and current role in abortion and family planning access.
Organize manual uterine aspiration (MUA) training / papaya workshop at your school. Request a Starter Kit.
Organize manual uterine aspiration (MUA) training / papaya workshop at your school. Request a Starter Kit.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc.
Join or start a NSRH chapter.
Join or start a NSRH chapter.
Take electives in sexual and reproductive health, cultural humility, Feminist Theory, and Social Justice
Learn about state certified midwifery laws related to abortion provision and prescriptive authority.
Read about certified midwives’ historic and current role in abortion and family planning access.
Organize manual uterine aspiration (MUA) training / papaya workshop at your school. Request a Starter Kit.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc.
Join or start a NSRH chapter.
Join The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM); your state American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) chapter.
Join The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM); your state American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) chapter.
Attend the Abortion Care Network and NSRH events.
Attend the Abortion Care Network and NSRH events.
Engage in reflective work and motivations for engaging in abortion care and midwifery, and attend a values clarification workshop.
Engage in reflective work and motivations for engaging in abortion care and midwifery, and attend a values clarification workshop.
Join The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM); your state American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) chapter.
Attend the Abortion Care Network and NSRH events.
Engage in reflective work and motivations for engaging in abortion care and midwifery, and attend a values clarification workshop.
Root in Community
Participate in rotations at clinics offering full-spectrum reproductive care.
Participate in rotations at clinics offering full-spectrum reproductive care.
Shadow advanced practice clinicians providing medication abortion.
Shadow advanced practice clinicians providing medication abortion.
Learn trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
Learn trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
Participate in rotations at clinics offering full-spectrum reproductive care.
Shadow advanced practice clinicians providing medication abortion.
Learn trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
Volunteer at birth centers that also provide SRH services.
Volunteer at birth centers that also provide SRH services.
Join Reproductive Health Access Network clusters for mentorship and networking.
Join Reproductive Health Access Network clusters for mentorship and networking.
Participate in simulations or didactic sessions if hands-on abortion training isn’t available in your state.
Participate in simulations or didactic sessions if hands-on abortion training isn’t available in your state.
Volunteer at birth centers that also provide SRH services.
Join Reproductive Health Access Network clusters for mentorship and networking.
Participate in simulations or didactic sessions if hands-on abortion training isn’t available in your state.
Grow Through Training
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at University of Washington, the MARCH program at the University of Maryland, RADIANT Fellowship at UIC, ARISE Rutgers ECHO or UCSF School of Nursing
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at University of Washington, the MARCH program at the University of Maryland, RADIANT Fellowship at UIC, ARISE Rutgers ECHO or UCSF School of Nursing
Obtain additional certifications in medication abortion, ultrasound, and miscarriage management.
Obtain additional certifications in medication abortion, ultrasound, and miscarriage management.
Apply to structured abortion training programs:
Apply to structured abortion training programs:
Build collaborative relationships with physicians (MDs), NPs, and PAs in SRH settings.
Build collaborative relationships with physicians (MDs), NPs, and PAs in SRH settings.
Continue CME (TEACH Workbook, NSRH modules).
Continue CME (TEACH Workbook, NSRH modules).
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at University of Washington, the MARCH program at the University of Maryland, RADIANT Fellowship at UIC, ARISE Rutgers ECHO or UCSF School of Nursing
Obtain additional certifications in medication abortion, ultrasound, and miscarriage management.
Apply to structured abortion training programs:
Build collaborative relationships with physicians (MDs), NPs, and PAs in SRH settings.
Continue CME (TEACH Workbook, NSRH modules).
Flourish in Practice
Incorporate abortion and contraception into full spectrum certified midwifery and primary care, see RHAP resources for practice integration.
Incorporate abortion and contraception into full spectrum certified midwifery and primary care, see RHAP resources for practice integration.
Advocate for legal recognition of Certified Nurse-Midwife / Certified Midwife as abortion providers in your state.
Advocate for legal recognition of Certified Nurse-Midwife / Certified Midwife as abortion providers in your state.
Educate clients and peers about reproductive autonomy and informed choice.
Educate clients and peers about reproductive autonomy and informed choice.
Engage with ACNM reproductive justice initiatives.
Engage with ACNM reproductive justice initiatives.
Host a papaya or MUA workshop → Starter Kit Request
Host a papaya or MUA workshop → Starter Kit Request
Join your ACNM state chapter & Reproductive Justice caucus
Join your ACNM state chapter & Reproductive Justice caucus
Incorporate abortion and contraception into full spectrum certified midwifery and primary care, see RHAP resources for practice integration.
Advocate for legal recognition of Certified Nurse-Midwife / Certified Midwife as abortion providers in your state.
Educate clients and peers about reproductive autonomy and informed choice.
Engage with ACNM reproductive justice initiatives.
Host a papaya or MUA workshop → Starter Kit Request
Join your ACNM state chapter & Reproductive Justice caucus
Independent clinics (employee)
Independent clinics (employee)
Apply for Black Midwifery Fellowships at CHOICES or University of San Francisco, California.
Apply for Black Midwifery Fellowships at CHOICES or University of San Francisco, California.
Planned Parenthood affiliates (note: not all offer procedural / ultrasound training)
Planned Parenthood affiliates (note: not all offer procedural / ultrasound training)
Become a Repro Champion at your practice; bring abortion & EPL care into your service lines; find an APC fellowship.
Become a Repro Champion at your practice; bring abortion & EPL care into your service lines; find an APC fellowship.
Join/lead in American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) (state chapter & RJ caucuses).
Join/lead in American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) (state chapter & RJ caucuses).
Participate in Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC), National Abortion Federation (NAF), SFP SIG; contribute to research & policy.
Participate in Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC), National Abortion Federation (NAF), SFP SIG; contribute to research & policy.
Independent clinics (employee)
Apply for Black Midwifery Fellowships at CHOICES or University of San Francisco, California.
Planned Parenthood affiliates (note: not all offer procedural / ultrasound training)
Become a Repro Champion at your practice; bring abortion & EPL care into your service lines; find an APC fellowship.
Join/lead in American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) (state chapter & RJ caucuses).
Participate in Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC), National Abortion Federation (NAF), SFP SIG; contribute to research & policy.
RESOURCES
Every healthcare provider plays a vital role in ensuring access for patients seeking reproductive health care.
Every healthcare provider plays a vital role in ensuring access for patients seeking reproductive health care.
TEACH cultivates the next generation of diverse reproductive health champions through abortion training, mentorship and curriculum development.
TEACH
PO Box 720189
San Francisco, CA 94172
TEACH is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports small organizations like ours.
TIN: 95-4116679
© 2026 TEACH. All rights reserved.
Website by lover studio
TEACH cultivates the next generation of diverse reproductive health champions through abortion training, mentorship and curriculum development.
TEACH
PO Box 720189
San Francisco, CA 94172
TEACH is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports small organizations like ours.
TIN: 95-4116679
© 2026 TEACH. All rights reserved.
Website by lover studio
