There are several paths to becoming a practicing midwife. We are either taught by apprenticeship, in vocational midwifery schools, in naturopathic medical school, via a combination of distance learning and precepted local clinical experiences, or as part of a graduate program in nursing. 

Unfortunately, there is no formal training program currently in Hawaii. 

Midwives typically take people on as apprentices once they already have a basic knowledge of pregnancy and birth with enough of a midwifery or health background to be useful as a birth assistant during the hands-on learning portion of thier training. It is usually great to begin as a doula or childbirth educator or complete a basic distance learning or online introductory midwifery course before starting an apprenticeship.

Nurse-Midwifery programs usually require experience before starting a graduate program either as a labor + delivery nurse or in a related area. If you have a degree in a non nursing field there are combined BSN/MSN programs you may be eligible for once you complete prerequisites. 

For more information on the logistics of becoming a midwife start here:

http://mana.org/students.html

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MT&Category_Code=STUM

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/books/paths.asp

http://www.midwife.org/map.cfm


Most important of all-if you are considering being a midwife-call a local midwife and ask them specific questions, offer to volunteer-even if only around their office-, shadow them, borrow books from them, ask for advice! We all LOVE to hear that someone is considering this profession and are always honored to help you along your path!!!