How to Become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in the comprehensive care of women throughout their lives. Becoming a WHNP is a rewarding career that promises career growth and a robust salary.

Read this guide to learn about becoming a women's health nurse practitioner, including education requirements, salary expectations, job duties, and more.

A WHNP is a type of nurse practitioner who focuses on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health for women of all ages. Since they concentrate on women's health throughout their lifespan, WHNPs mainly work in a primary care office setting rather than a hospital or delivery room.

WHNP vs CNM: What's the Difference?

Women's health NPs are similar to but very different from Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). A WHNP spends less time focusing on the conception and delivery of newborns than a CNM. While this is still a part of their duties and responsibilities, some will only spend a small percentage of time caring for those types of patients.

Women’s Health NPs take care of women throughout their entire lifespan and, for that reason, are responsible for various duties. These duties will vary based on the work location, but may include: 

• Conducting well-woman gynecological exams
• Reviewing preventive health needs
• Educating on available contraception and birth control options
• Prescribing medications and contraception
• Inserting long-acting reversible contraception such as
  • Intrauterine devices
  • Implanted devices
• Ordering and interpreting blood and imaging tests
• Designing treatment plans
• Scheduling patients for surgical procedures and coordinating with the healthcare system and surgical department
• Preparing patients for surgery and post-operative plan of care
• Discharging patients from hospital after procedures and treatment
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals
• Addressing infertility concerns
• Sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, treatment, and education
• Managing women through the perinatal period, including:
  • Confirming/dating pregnancy
  • Educating on pregnancy health
  • Performing ultrasounds
  • Monitoring fetal activity
• Menopause education and counseling
• Screening for domestic violence, substance abuse, and high-risk behaviors
• Diagnosing female-related disease processes including, 
  • Breast, ovarian, cervical cancer
  • Hormone changes/menopause
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Female infertility
  • Urogynecological disorders
• May work alongside OB/GYNs as a first assist during surgical procedures

>>Related: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Women's health NPs can work in several locations, including:

 >> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

According to Glassdoor.com, Women’s Health NPs make an average of $131,771 annually. Payscale.com reports an average annual salary of $102,285, or $52.27 per hour. These estimates are comparable to the national average income for all nurse practitioner specialties, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports as $126,260 annually or $60.70 per hour, 

Specifically, Women’s Health NPs can earn a higher annual salary with increased years of experience.

• Less than 1 year of experience earns an average salary of $92,058
• 1-4 years of experience earn an average salary of $98,278
• 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $101,420
• 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $108,271
• 20+ years of experience earns an average salary of $112,676

In addition to salary, your full compensation package as a WHNP will include benefits like:

Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse

Before pursuing a career as a women's health nurse practitioner, you must become a registered nurse (RN). Getting an RN license requires graduating with an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After graduating, you can take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to earn your registered nursing license.

ADN-prepared nurses will need to complete an additional step: either completing their BSN degree or entering an accelerated RN-to-MSN program, which will let them earn their BSN and MSN simultaneously.

Step 2: Gain Experience or Continue Your Education

Nurses can choose to gain some nursing experience before going back to school or go directly into an MSN program, depending on their unique situation. If you're working before continuing your education, you'll want to work in a related field, such as an OB nurse. 

Step 3: Graduate From an Accredited WHNP Program

Enter into an MSN/NP program that offers a program to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. For tips on getting into nursing school, check out our article on What To Know About Applying to Nursing Schools. 

Step 4: Earn a Women's Health NP Certification

The National Certification Corporation offers Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC) certification. This certification is available to APRNs who meet the following criteria:

WHNP-BC Certification Requirements

• Current and unencumbered RN license
• Successful completion of an accredited graduate nurse practitioner program that meets NCC program requirements and prepares women's health care nurse practitioners. The program can be a master's, DNP, or post-master's. NCC no longer accepts certificate-prepared applicants.
• You must take the exam within 8 years of graduation from your program.

Once certified, you can apply for women's health NP jobs.

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

WHNPs must complete continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their RN license and nurse practitioner board certification. Typically, WHNPs must have at least 75 contact hours of continuing education in women's health nursing.

Since each state sets its own requirements for RN licensure, you should refer to your state's board of nursing for its specific standards. Generally, nurse continuing education requirements include completing CEU hours, submitting an application, and paying a nominal fee.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for NPs is excellent. There is expected to be 45% growth from 2022 to 2032. 

Additionally, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has projected that there will be a shortage of up to nearly 9000 obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN) by 2020, which will grow to a shortage of up to 22,000 by 2050. Women’s Health NPs will fill that void. 

A research study from 2019 found that the following 10 metropolitan areas most likely to experience a shortage: 

The researchers also highlighted the importance of the demographics of practicing providers. The report found that nationally, 35% of OB/GYNs are 55 years and older, and of the 50 evaluated areas, 33 have at least one-third of practicing OB/GYNs who are 55 years or older.

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Becoming a women's health nurse practitioner is a rewarding career. This role allows individuals to care for not only pregnant women but also pre-menarche, postmenopausal, and everyone in between. 

Check out these resources to learn more about becoming a women's health NP:

• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
• American Medical Women’s Association

• General Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Emergency Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Oncology Nurse Practitioner

• What Is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner?

  • A WHNP is a highly trained nurse who cares for women throughout their lives. They focus on women's conditions and nursing interventions like health promotion, disease prevention, education, and helping women make smart lifestyle choices.

• What Can a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Do?

  • WHNPs focus on the reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health of women of all ages. They provide gynecologic care, pregnancy management, family planning, STI diagnosis and treatment, and primary care to women. Their scope of practice includes healthcare management, disease prevention, and health promotion.

• How Much is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Salary?

  • According to Glassdoor.com, women’s health NPs make an average of $131,771 annually. 

• Can a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Deliver Babies?

  • Yes, a women’s health nurse practitioner can deliver a baby. Some states allow them to deliver independently, while others require an MD or certified midwife to be present at the time of birth. 

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