Others work in public or community health agencies in administrative, educational, or counseling positions. Salaried job opportunities for licensed midwives are limited. In the winter of 1999, the administration of a Seattle hospital indicated that it was receptive to the possibility of granting licensed midwives hospital privileges. Nurse-midwives can be employed in hospital group practices or in independent, private midwifery practices. Though we have no hard figures, we know that income is largely dependent on the type of practice.
Many midwives choose to practice in rural communities or among the poorer neighborhoods.
However, Midwifery is becoming a more popular childbirth option among many people in the country. A Licensed Midwife attends an independent midwifery school and is only accepted for practice in about 11 states. The licensed midwife generally works in an independent practice. Some LMs deliver babies in the home or in birthing centers. Many have established independent practices, but they also can be found working in HMOs, hospitals, private clinics and birth centers.