Demand for WHNPs?

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 11, 2011

I don't have any real insight, but I will tell you what a group I interviewed with some months ago said about why they let their WHCNP go and were seeking to replace her with a FNP: according to them, some patients were being charged more by their insurance company to see the WHCNP, and the patients were in turn, complaining. I have no idea if that is true. It doesn't sound right, and I didn't believe a lot of things these people told me, lol. However, if there is a grain of truth in it, it might explain why I rarely see them in this part of the country. ASAIK, there isn't anything that the WHCNP can bill for that a FNP can not. I am certain there is a lot that they know, lol, but for billing purposes, I am not aware of anything in their scope that a FNP could not legally do and bill for. So in the end, the FNP is capable of generating more income since s/he can see a much wider population.

I think you need to check the trends in your local area before making any decisions. Also, keep in mind if you ever move, different parts of the country could be , uh, different.

Good luck.

Annaiya, NP · Sep 13, 2011

I think the decision needs to be based on what you really want to do. If you want to focus on women's health, then do WHNP. I have a friend finishing her degree this December and she struggled deciding between FNP and WHNP. She ended up going WHNP and is very happy with it. She really likes that all of her clinical hours and courses are focused on what she wants to do and she isn't wasting time learning stuff she never intends to use. Anyone looking to hire at a women's health, OB or fertility clinic is more likely to to want the specialized degree over a general degree. It doesn't seem like she will have any trouble finding a job. The last clinic she did clinicals at would have offered her a job if she didn't have to move due to her husband's job. However, if you want to work at a general "family" type practice, then FNP probably makes more sense. Just depends what you want to do.

danceluver · Sep 13, 2011

want in on this discussion as well, since these thoughts are circulating in my head too. Please keep the advice coming.

globalRN · Sep 22, 2011

WHNP is a not available in Canada

FNP would be more versatile.

Correct me if I am wrong, WHNPs have the lowest salaries as

they usually work with underserved populations.

Annaiya, NP · Sep 23, 2011

WHNP is a not available in Canada
FNP would be more versatile.
Correct me if I am wrong, WHNPs have the lowest salaries as
they usually work with underserved populations.

If you don't live in Canada, that shouldn't be a problem. FNP is only more versatile if you want to work with more populations. If you only want to work with women, then WHNP make a whole lot more sense. I have never heard that their salaries are less. FNPs work with a lot of underserved populations as well, there are just a lot more of them, so you will get a wider range of salaries. I'm sure the WHNPs at public health clinics and planned parenthoods make less, but there are a lot of OB/GYN and fertility clinics that do not work with underserved populations and should have salaries comparable to other FNPs.

Jasil · Sep 23, 2011

There aren't alot of NP jobs around imo. The degrees are being pumped out like gang busters I really think nursing schools are shooting themselves in the foot here. Here locally you'll find 2-4 openings active withing the last 30 days at any given time. That's searching within a 50 mile radius.

There are still quite a few nursing jobs no so with NP's....best of luck! The longer you are without a job the worse it will look on your resume are you workin as a nurse somewhere?

danceluver · Sep 23, 2011

@Jasil-because of this, are the salaries pretty low? Are they requiring RN experience?

Jasil · Sep 23, 2011

Wife's friends is a NP 34 5 years experience makes 80K Mon-Fri 8-4:30pm. RN's here make close to that sometimes more if your willing to working weekends. Her friend is a RN with 8yrs exp. at a local Hospital makes 34/hr Mon-Fri 6-230pm.

The big difference is the NP salary and her friend is hourly, so take that for what it's worth.

My wife is over 80K Mon-Fri flex schedule in Occ. Health.....so in a nutshell the pay may be slightly above a average RN, but is it worth going into 30K of debt for IDK?