Small cohorts – 6:1 student-instructor ratio – and a large supportive alumni community.
We secure your clinical placements.
Scholarship and grant dollars are available.
Program focuses on care for rural, diverse and underserved populations.
We are part of UNM's premier Health Sciences system.
High-tech learning in our state-of-the-art Simulation Center.
Advanced practice nurses are health care leaders who know how to navigate the system. Who serve our beneficiaries and communities and address their evolving needs. Health care leaders who are well prepared to meet the challenges of modern health care, reduce costs, advance health equity and provide evidence-informed care consistent with our mission at the UNM College of Nursing.
Our mission is to educate nurse-midwives to care for rural, diverse and under-resourced communities. We aim to improve the health and well-being of individuals and families through partnerships and community collaboration. We are committed to social justice and human dignity. Our faculty and graduates recognize the strengths and challenges of historically marginalized communities, embracing and prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion.
The philosophy aligns with that of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Donna Dineyazhe, MSN, CNM
Nichele Salazar, DNP, CNM
No scrambling. No waiting. No guessing. We have a dedicated team to support all your clinical placement needs. Yes, that includes finding clinical sites that meet your unique practice interests.
But that also includes all the details that could be overlooked. The clinical affairs team will ensure you are prepared and help you navigate all onboarding requirements of your clinical sites.
Our students benefit greatly from hands-on learning in a wide variety of practice settings. Urban tertiary care and academic institutions, community-based health centers, birth centers, private small-town clinics and the Indian Health Service, just to name a few.
Midwifery is deeply rooted in our history – from Indigenous healers to traditional parteras, to the founding of the American College of Nurse Midwives. Our midwifery community includes direct-entry Licensed Midwives and diverse community partners, including doulas and lactation care providers. New Mexico currently has the third-highest percentage of midwife-attended births in the nation and was ranked second in a study of midwifery integration.
In New Mexico, the Department of Health licenses certified nurse-midwives as independent practitioners with full prescriptive authority. The NM Medicaid program reimburses for midwifery services in community settings, as well as the hospital.
Not from New Mexico? Visit NewMexico.org to learn about our state.
Our program is designed to teach and expose you to caring for the rural and underserved communities of New Mexico. We are unique in this mission.
Our students participate in clinical experiences outside of Albuquerque. Learning happens through immersion and is guided in part by dedicated preceptors.
Our graduates continue to serve this mission beyond our program. Over 80% of our graduates provide care to rural and/or underserved populations.
Within a small cohort, you will work closely with our outstanding faculty. We emphasize the ACNM Core Values of inclusiveness, person-centered care and respect for physiologic processes, partnership, and advocacy.
Each of our nurse-midwifery faculty brings a unique skill set and focus. They bring diverse perspectives to the classroom, simulation lab and clinical experiences.
Most of our faculty are active in clinical practice, weaving up-to-date clinical standards and real-world practice perspectives into the curriculum. Our faculty are committed to your success.
We value our diverse communities, students and faculty, and we strive to promote equity and advocate for inclusiveness.
In our courses, we address topics such as racism, privilege, racial inequity, implicit bias, historical trauma and more. We value our partnerships with our community to enhance our understanding and learning.
Learn more about UNM’s Division of Diversity and Equity and Inclusion, the Health Sciences Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the UNM College of Nursing Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Application opens: August 15
Priority deadline: December 1
Final deadline: April 1
A BSN degree from an accredited college or university. Options are available for RNs with
a BA or BS in another field.
Current RN license.
1 year of work as a Registered Nurse or in a closely related health care field.
No GRE or GMAT required.
For the full list of admissions criteria and application, click below.
The goal is simple–become a certified nurse-midwife.
Stay goal oriented. Take a look at the current nurse-midwifery jobs and salaries in New Mexico and beyond.
All graduate students who reside in a Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) state are eligible for the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), a tuition‐reciprocity arrangement.
For more information, visit our WICHE page.
The UNM College of Nursing has been awarded two grants to support enrolled students. These funds can help offset educational expenses and reduce student debt after graduation. Learn more about eligibility and funding opportunities.
They are leading nurse scientists, highly regarded practitioners and exemplary educators.
But most importantly they are supportive. Hyper-focused on your success, online and in person.
At UNM we are a culture of contrast rather than a contrast of cultures. What makes us different makes us strong. Our diverse backgrounds – your diverse backgrounds – enhance our insights and learning. Raise awareness and respect for all the different ways of being and thinking.
We don’t just talk about diversity. We put it into practice. Resulting in a deeper connection to all your future patients. From the beginning of your education, you will serve the underserved. You will walk with empathy and understanding of others.
Learn more about your education, curriculum, academic calendar, clinical and simulation experiences.
There is a lot of information to consider as you prepare to apply to our DNP program. We know you have questions. We have answers.
Admissions & Recruitment Office
College of Nursing
Building 214
Suite 1501
1 University of New Mexico
Nurse-Midwifery Program Director, Assistant Professor
Abigail Reese, PhD, RN, CNM