FINDINGS OF THE 1990 ANNUAL AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

The 1990 Annual ACNM Membership Survey was conducted by the Division of Research for the purpose of obtaining current information about certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) who were members of ACNM. Of the 2,899 surveys sent, 1,992 surveys were returned from 1,877 CNMs and 115 student nurse-midwives (a response rate of 68.7%). The mean age of the CNMs was 41.8 years. Most were female (97.9%) and white (95.3%); 85.1% were active members and 6% were life members of ACNM. The CNMs had been employed in nurse-midwifery-related employment a mean of 8.5 years. The greatest proportion were in clinical nurse-midwifery practice attending births (64.2%). An additional 10.0% were in clinical nurse-midwifery practice not attending births. Experienced nurse-midwives employed full-time reported a mean annual Income of $45,229 and being on-call 71.4 hours per week. New nurse-midwives employed full-time reported a mean annual income of $40,504 and being on-call 59.6 hours per week. Most nurse-midwives employed full-time were salaried (57.4%), whereas most CNMs working part-time were paid based on the number of hours worked (49.7%)     

FINDINGS OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SURVEYS, 1993 AND 1994

The findings of the 1993 and 1994 American College of Nurse-Midwives Membership Surveys are presented and compared with a 1991 survey. The approximately 3,600 respondents had a mean age of 43 years, and most members were female and Caucasian. Two-thirds of the certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) who responded had earned master's degrees. Approximately one-half of the respondents were employed by physicians or hospitals, and 71% reported that their primary employment involved clinical care with attendance at births. More than 90% of CNM respondents who reported site of birth attended births in hospitals. There has been a demonstrated increase in racial/ethnic diversity of the membership since the 1991 survey.     

ANNUAL STUDENT REPORT TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES

This article profiles current areas of concern identified by the student membership at the 38th annual American College of Nurse-Midwives convention in June. Communication, financial aid, education, and practice are identified as topics affecting past, present, and future students, as well as the current membership of certified nurse-midwives. Recommendations are offered and the College is petitioned to address these substantial issues that directly impact the membership.     

THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES: A Professional Organization*

What is nurse-midwifery professionally? Is it nursing?, midwifery?, both?, neither?, something else? How does this answer impact both on identifying our professional organization and on its activities? Clarity is essential to understanding, to communication, and to effective working relationships with other professionals and professional organizations.     

AN ATTITUDE SURVEY OF LAY-MIDWIVES AND NURSE-MIDWIVES

The increasing legalization of lay-midwifery and its growing practice raise many questions concerning nurse-midwives' involvement with lay-midwives and alternative birth settings. A mailed questionnaire study of a stratified sample of 100 nurse-midwife members of ACNM and 100 lay-midwives was conducted. The questionnaires assessed background in midwifery, characteristics of practice, and attitudes toward CNMs and LMWs by their opposites. The study was not intended as a comparative study of CNMs and LMWs. Instead its focus was primarily on the attitudes that each group expressed regarding members of the opposite group. The profile data revealed that the lay-midwives were young in age and practice and concerned about education and standards of care. The nurse-midwives were older, had practiced longer, and supported alternatives in birth, but were not practicing them. There was no overwhelming positive or negative feeling between the two groups. Both agreed to a relationship on an educational level, but the nurse-midwives were uncertain about formal recognition of lay-midwifery. There were few significant relationships between profile variables and attitudes. The study supplied meaningful data to prompt informed dialogue between nurse-midwives and lay-midwives.     

A NATIONAL SURVEY OF HERBAL PREPARATION USE BY NURSE-MIDWIVES FOR LABOR STIMULATION

To document the use of herbal preparations for cervical ripening, induction, and augmentation of labor by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and nurse-midwifery education programs, a national survey of 500 members of the American College of Nurse-Midwives was conducted. Forty eight nurse-midwifery education programs were also surveyed to determine whether they were formally or informally educating students in the use of herbal preparations for cervical ripening, induction, or augmentation of labor. The results of this study, a review of the literature, professional issues, and recommendations for clinical practice are presented in this article. Of 500 questionnaires mailed to ACNM members, 90 were returned from CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor and 82 were returned from CNMs who did not use herbal preparations to stimulate labor. Three questionnaires were excluded due to incomplete data or blank questionnaires.     

NURSE-MIDWIVES AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE INFORMATION AGE

Rapid access to meaningful information is a cornerstone to effective decision-making in the Information Age. Computers are the tools for efficient and effective collection and analysis of data. As we enter an era of monumental change in the delivery of health care, our challenge as nurse-midwives is to use computer technology to support our goals and philosophy.     

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE VACUUM EXTRACTOR BY NURSE-MIDWIVES

The vacuum extractor has become a widely used instrument in many settings. It has proven to be a reliable method of ensuring safe passage of the fetus and/or enhancing maternal effort during the second stage of labor. The principles of vacuum-assisted birth are learned relatively easily and have been incorporated into many nurse-midwifery practices. This article reviews the principles of vacuum extraction as they apply to the practice of nurse-midwifery. Vacuum extractors available to nurse-midwives are compared. Nurse-midwives are familiarized with vacuum extraction so that they can make an Informed choice concerning the vacuum extractor as an appropriate tool within their practice. This article is not intended to teach nurse-midwives to use the vacuum extractor. It does, however, provide guidelines for credentialing those nurse-midwives choosing to incorporate the principles of vacuum extraction into their practice.