University of Florida College of Nursing
Nurse-Midwifery Education Program

The University of Florida College of Nursing Nurse-Midwifery Program celebrates 25 years of nurse-midwifery education in 2007. More than 130 students have graduated and become Certified Nurse-Midwives during this time.  Historically 93% accepted positions caring for underrepresented populations, mostly in Florida. Others were members of the Armed Forces and provide care to service personnel and their family members.

With the support of competitive grants from the HRSA Division of Nursing, program innovations include the initiation of distance learning teaching in 1996 and the subsequent establishment of Cooperative Degree programs with the University of South Florida College of Nursing and Florida State University College of Nursing.  These innovations increased access to nurse-midwifery education, diversified the applicant pool and allowed students who lived remote from the live classroom to become nurse-midwives. 

Since the inception of the program, the faculty have provided care for underrepresented populations in multiple clinical sites. In Jacksonville, the faculty and students currently provide care at Shands Jacksonville for clinic visits and labor, birth and postpartum.  Faculty and students have also provided full-scope nurse-midwifery care at University Medical Center, Duval, Clay and Bradford County Health Department clinics, the Northwest Quadrant Federally Funded Community Health Center and the Magnolia Clinic, a Federally Funded Healthy Start Clinic.

Numerous Certified Nurse-Midwives in Florida and Georgia serve as preceptors and role models as well as provide guest lectures for students. These preceptors enrich learning experiences, provide alternative clinical opportunities and share their knowledge and expertise with students. Students experience a range of practice settings including private practice, birth centers, rural health centers, Federally Funded Community Health Centers, small, large, intercity and rural hospitals. A major focus of both clinical and lecture is underrepresented populations, ethnic variety and immigrant populations, belief systems and values.

“The Heart of Midwifery” courses through the curriculum and the hands-on care for women, babies and families as well as the faculty, students and preceptors. The University of Florida College of Nursing Nurse-Midwifery Education Program has been “midwifing midwives for a lifetime” as well as being “with women throughout their lifetime.”