NARM Workshops

NARM can offer a variety of workshops to be presented at state midwifery association meetings or regional conferences. Only CPMs may attend the Test Writing workshop; all midwives, students, and consumers are welcome at other workshops. No fee is charged by NARM for the workshops. The sponsoring organization may charge a fee to help cover the expenses or raise funds. The sponsoring organization is expected to provide airfare, housing, and local transportation for the NARM instructor. Continuing Education credits will be awarded for all workshops. For more information, call 1-888-842-4784 ext. 3 or write testing@narm.org.

The following 2 hour NARM workshops are open to anyone:

Midwifery Ethics

In today’s maternity services ethical issues are everywhere, and yet there is often a poor understanding of how practitioners deal with them. Many qualified midwives, while believing that they are ethical in their work and lives, might find it difficult to define what this means in practice. We all have to make decisions everyday with clients, other health care providers and our own families. This workshop explores the ethical issues that face midwives in today’s world, as well as strategies for resolving these issues. Participants will discuss the ethical issues relating to accountability, autonomy, confidentiality, informed consent, and the use of technology.

Preceptor-Student Relationships

This session is designed to meet the needs of both preceptors and students and to help avoid common problems in the preceptor-student relationship. Discussion includes the role and responsibility of the preceptor and student, advantages and disadvantages to the apprenticeship model of education, avoiding common misunderstandings between preceptors and apprentices, and documenting the apprenticeship for the NARM application process.

NARM and the CPM Process

This workshop explains the development of the NARM process and the requirements for CPM certification. The session is designed for students who intend to apply for CPM certification and for the preceptors who will train them to meet these requirements. It is also a very valuable workshop for anyone who is interested in seeking legislation to license midwives using the CPM process as a basis for licensure. Participants will become familiar with all routes of entry into the CPM process, how the criteria for certification were determined, and how each element of the process contributes to the reliability and validity of the credential.

MANA Statistics – Web Based Data Entry

This workshop explains the MANA Statistics Collection Project, including the web based data entry system, so that all midwives can enter their personal statistics into the MANA database for use in analyzing and publishing research on direct-entry midwifery. Participants will learn how to enter their date on the web (and options for not entering on the web), how this information may be used, and how to retrieve their own personal or group statistics. This workshop requires an internet connection.

Charting for Midwives

Midwives often view documentation as a necessary chore, but one that is not as important as providing hands on care. Yet Documentation is one of the most critical skills that a midwife will perform. Although we tend to approach documentation casually, our entire career could depend upon the accuracy and completeness of our charting. How much should be charted and why? In documenting we need to keep in mind the possible legal and ethical complications, and the legal relevance of malpractice. Documentation is also a key component of verifying apprenticeship training. All preceptors and students should be familiar with NARM requirements for charting and documentation of apprenticeship.

The Current Legal Status of Direct-Entry Midwives across the Country

Direct-entry midwives are licensed in 28 states; 26 use all or part of the CPM process for licensure eligibility; the other two use the ACNM’s CM credential for direct-entry licensure. This workshop presents the requirements for licensure in 28 states, and the current status of midwives (prosecuted or ignored) in the remaining states. Ongoing work toward licensure is also discussed.

NARM also offers a full day presentation for states that are working toward legislation for midwives, and a two-day workshop for CPMs who write questions for the NARM Examination. If either of these workshops are sponsored, NARM will pay the travel expenses of the instructor. Any of the other workshops may be added to the agenda. The local host will arrange the location, housing, and meals. CEU credit is also offered for these workshops.

Preparing for Legislation

This workshop is for midwives and consumers who are preparing to lobby for legislation to license midwives in their state. The workshop is an overview of the legislative process and lobbying strategies, and includes actual training for lobbying, including writing fact sheets, giving interviews, making the best use of the 15 minute or 2 minute opportunities for speaking with legislators, giving testimony at public hearings and legislative committee sessions, and answering tough questions spontaneously. Information is drawn from the recent experiences in states that have been working on legislation. An update of the current status of midwifery legislation across the country is included.

The Item Writing workshop (CPMs only)

This workshop to write questions for the NARM Examination brings together groups of CPMs to discuss the midwifery knowledge and skills that are essential components of the practice of midwifery. Based on real-life experiences, teams of midwives craft scenarios related to problems they have encountered in prenatal, birth, or postpartum situations, research these scenarios in the reference texts, identify the knowledge necessary to solve the problem, and develop multiple choice answers to evaluate that knowledge. Discussions are lively and stimulating, and participants find the process to be rewarding on a personal and professional level. Additionally, participation by CPMs in the development of test questions is integral to the reliability and validity of the Certified Professional Midwife credential. NARM Certification was created by midwives, for midwives, and is administered by midwives on the NARM Board. The NARM Examination is written by midwives, with focus on the practical aspects of midwifery care and knowledge. Your participation makes a better exam! Participants must be CPMs. At least 10 participants must register for this workshop to happen.