There is a significant demand for nurse practitioners, including women’s health nurse practitioners, to meet the population’s healthcare needs. Women’s health NPs see an average of 19 patients

per day and care for a variety of patients, including those needing wellness exams, prenatal or postnatal care, and other acute and chronic problems.

So, what are women’s health nurse practitioners? Below is information regarding the role of the women’s health NP, along with details on the education requirements and the steps to becoming one.

Role of a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

A women’s health nurse practitioner provides comprehensive care to women starting as young as adolescence. They not only provide pre-and postnatal care, fertility evaluation, and pregnancy testing, but they also provide menopausal care, adolescent health care, and preventative care through well-women exams, breast cancer screenings, and Papanicolaou (Pap) tests.

They also see patients for acute women’s health concerns that range from symptoms of a UTI to hot flashes to concerns of cervical cancer. When providing care to women, they often order diagnostic tests, interpret the results, and develop individualized treatment plans for each patient. They can prescribe medications when indicated.

Women’s health NPs primarily work in the outpatient setting; however, they might care for inpatients in some circumstances.

Education Requirements for a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Women’s health nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), indicating they have obtained an advanced nursing degree. A nurse can pursue two paths to become a women’s health NP.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree will take 2 years to complete on average. During this program, you will learn assessment skills, including appropriate diagnostic tests and procedures to formulate individualized treatment plans for your patients. The MSN program emphasizes the clinical aspect of the NP career.

If you pursue your DNP after your MSN, MSN-to-DNP programs or postmaster’s DNP programs are available.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a terminal degree that will take an average of 3 years to complete. During this program, you will learn the required clinical skills for the women’s health NP and leadership skills that prepare you for management positions such as becoming a future chief nursing officer (CNO).

Steps to Become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner 

How do you become a women’s health NP? Below are the steps, starting with completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Graduate from an accredited BSN program.
Pass the NCLEX exam.
Obtain RN licensure in the state where you will practice.
Gain a couple of years of nursing experience. This step is optional for most nurse practitioner programs, but I believe it is important. If you’re pursuing women’s health as an NP, I’d recommend gaining experience as an RN in a relatable area such as labor and delivery, working for an OBGYN office, or something similar.
Research women’s health NP programs and apply to those best fitted for you. There are programs entirely online, hybrid programs, and programs that require in-person attendance for all courses. When considering women’s health NP programs, consider whether you want to complete your MSN or DNP.
Graduate from an accredited women’s health program.
Pass your board exam (AANP or ANCC) and become a licensed women’s health NP.
Obtain your APRN license in the state where you are practicing. You must also maintain your RN license.
Apply to women’s health NP jobs. This step can occur before graduation if desired.

Women’s health NPs are essential in providing care to women across the United States. I hope this information has piqued your interest in pursuing this career path.

References

https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-a-womens-health-nurse-practitioner

The post Empowering Women’s Health: Your Path to Becoming a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner first appeared on Daily Nurse.