NZ Sees Surge in Advanced Nurse Training
A record number of nurses in New Zealand have taken up scholarships for advanced training, nearly doubling figures from previous years. The surge in demand for specialization, including in midwifery, is seen as a direct response to workforce shortages and a desire for advanced practice roles.
- In the U.S., employment for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is expected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. This projection anticipates an average of 32,700 job openings for these roles each year over the decade. - Virginia is actively working to address maternity care shortages, with about 36% of its counties considered "maternity care deserts." As of July 1, 2025, a new state law (HB 1904) allows certified nurse-midwives and licensed certified midwives to serve on 24-hour on-call rosters for nursery care when a physician is not available. - Recent legislation in Virginia aims to improve access to and equity in midwifery care. As of July 2025, House Bill 1923 ensures that both private insurance and Medicaid provide 100% reimbursement for services from all nationally certified midwives, achieving pay parity with certified nurse-midwives. - There is a significant workforce shortage of midwives in the U.S., with over half of the counties in the country having no practicing midwife. This shortage is a contributing factor to the high maternal mortality rate in the U.S., which in 2021 was more than ten times that of countries like Australia and Japan. - Emerging technologies are changing the landscape of maternal care. These include wearable sensors for remote monitoring of both mother and fetus, telehealth platforms for virtual consultations, and the use of artificial intelligence for predicting high-risk pregnancies and personalizing care. - Evidence-based practices shown to improve birth outcomes include continuous labor support from a doula, freedom of movement during labor, and delayed cord clamping. Avoiding routine medical interventions unless medically necessary is also a key component of evidence-based maternity care. - The Virginia Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is a professional organization that supports and advocates for Certified Nurse-Midwives, Certified Midwives, and students in the state. They focus on promoting midwifery education, improving access to care, and providing input on the legislative process. - Consumer advocacy groups like Virginia Families for Access to Midwifery play a role in promoting midwifery care. These organizations work to increase public knowledge and support for midwifery services within the state.
