| Aspect | Direct Entry Midwife | Certified Nurse Midwife |
|---|
| Credentials | Midwifery education, certification through North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) | Registered Nurse (RN) license, graduate degree in nurse-midwifery, certification through American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) |
| Work Environment | Birth centers, homes, community settings | Hospitals, clinics, private practices |
| Industry Usage | Primarily independent midwifery practices, direct client care | Hospital-based care, collaborative healthcare teams |
While both Direct Entry Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives provide prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, they differ mainly in credentials and work settings. Direct Entry Midwives typically work independently in community or home settings, whereas Certified Nurse Midwives often work within hospitals or clinics as part of healthcare teams.