EMPOWER | UNC School of Nursing

Ways to Study

On-Campus

An innovative approach to preparing the future of nurse-midwifery and addressing the health care needs of North Carolinians

The EMPOWER program, co-developed by Drs. Rhonda Lanning and Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, is the first education mobility pathway in North Carolina focused on expanding the nurse-midwifery workforce. EMPOWER is a partnership among four Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, including The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University with a shared vision of increasing the number of North Carolina nurse-midwives who are committed to addressing health equity and improving lives across our state.

This program provides opportunities for undergraduate nursing students, who are passionate about a career in nurse-midwifery, to participate in regularly scheduled sessions within a small cohort of fellow nursing students. Participants will meet remotely with additional opportunities for in-person gatherings. The purpose of the EMPOWER programming is to:

Build strategies for personal success, such as stress management, coping, and resiliency

Foster a sense of community and support

Provide educational resources on midwifery practices

Enhance skills for professional success

Increase understanding of health equity, culturally responsive care, advocacy, power, and privilege

In addition to regular programming, participants will be matched with nurse-midwife mentors and have opportunities for other enrichment activities. Examples include attending professional conferences and education sessions and partnering with nurses and midwives in their community. Upon completion of this pathway, participants will be well-positioned to enroll and complete a graduate-level nurse- midwifery program.

North Carolinians deserve a better model of care
Through collaborative partnerships among nursing programs across the state, the EMPOWER program will prepare future nurse-midwives to meet the health care needs of families throughout North Carolina.

Why Empower? + –

The United States is facing a maternal-newborn health crisis. Health care disparities are impacting the lives of North Carolinians, including experiences with pregnancy, birth, postpartum and newborn health. In North Carolina, nearly half of all pregnancy-related deaths are among individuals identifying as Black. North Carolina has some of the highest infant mortality rates in the US, ranking 8th overall. Indigenous/American Indian North Carolinians face the highest burden of infant mortality. From 2018-2020 Indigenous people had the highest rates of late or no prenatal care, followed by Hispanic and Black individuals. Access to quality obstetric care is a barrier for many people across North Carolina.

Among North Carolina counties, 25% are without an obstetric provider and almost half have no nurse-midwives. Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are licensed, independent, health care providers with prescriptive authority in all 50 states and US territories. Increasing their numbers is key to meeting the demand for obstetric providers in NC. CNM care is also associated with improved health outcomes, lower rates of cesarean birth and preterm birth, improved birth weight, and lower neonatal death.

Source: March of Dimes

Midwives are needed to meet the health care needs of the people of North Carolina

A five-step process flowchart with arrows: 1) Attend an info session, 2) Submit your application, 3) Complete an interview, 4) Undergo selection, 5) Join us in October 2024.

Are you a student interested in seeing if EMPOWER is right for you?

You are eligible to apply if you are

Attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, or Western Carolina University