FNP's in women's health?

Specialties NP

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

Allo all-- I have been torn on this topic for some time now- and I really would like to talk and get some input regarding FNP's whp practice in women's health. I have thought long and hard over this and get much diversified info from various sources- I chose not become a CNM for many reasons, and decided on a FNP and not WHNP for fear of limiting myself. However I do really want to work I womens health, maybe perhaps even for womens primary care but I want to be employable, skilled and very capable of being a health care provider for womern's needs. Does anyone have any input here?

I am in a FNP program, ( RN-MSN) and will be starting the FNP classes at the end of this year. My clinical advisor states that I can very much get the enrichment and training I need by tailoring my clinical experiences to my specialty. however I don't know how thorough the didactic portion will be.....

I am confused! Any FNP's work in womens health here?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello, joyrochelle,

i am an ob-gyn np and an fnp. the former was too narrow a field of career choice. the latter was exactly what i wanted. that said, the former combined with the latter did allow me more bargaining power when it came to jobs.

but, i think to answer your question, you can practice women's health as an fnp without the added cert of whnp and do an excellent job. my situation is just a little different.

here is a link to the ncc for info on whnp: http://www.nccnet.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=187

here is a link to the awhonn: http://www.awhonn.org/awhonn/

good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

Thanks so much for your reply! That makes me feel a bit reassured. I have seen duplicate programs that offer combined ANP and WHNP. However there are none in my area, I cannot relocate at this time, and i am unsure about whether i will be able to return to school, or even be willing to do so!, in order to have the duo cert.

I will read up on the prequalifying factors that allow you to sit for the WHNP...i think you have to have had finished an accredited WHNP program though. :(

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

So in order to sit for the WNHP boards, you need to have finished a program that gives you the cerifiacte or masters in womens health as a NP. you cannot "subspecialty", if you will, with a FNP.

So my next question is-- looking at the board of directors for the NPWH ( natl assoc of NP's in womens health) some of the board members are WHCNPs, WHNPs, C-ANPs, NPs.... CRNP's, ...FNPs.... can you see where I am going with this?

Am I too assume that if you are trained in clinical practice in womens health it doesnt matter your certification?

Its such a bummer when you look back to post masters certification as WHNP--its like the master all over again!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello, joyrochelle,

yes, you must complete a formal program as whnp in order to sit for the certification examination.

eligibility requirements:

  • current licensure as an rn in the u.s. or canada
  • successful completion of a formal nurse practitioner program that prepares women's health care nurse practitioners and awards either a certificate in the specialty, a master's degree in the specialty or a post-master's in the specialty

effective january 1, 2007, a post-baccalaureate educational program that prepares women's health care nurse practitioners and awards either a master's degree in the specialty or a post-master's in the specialty will be required of all applicants for the women's health care nurse practitioner examination.

ncc requirements: http://www.nccnet.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=110

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

yes, thats what i read on their site.

I will try my best to cater my clinical experiences to womens health, and when i graduate perhaps i will consider a post masters certificate in WHNP if i see fit. thanks!

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I have seen numerous FNPs working in women's health and numerous advertisements for recruitment into that area. The FNP is well qualified to fill that position. I have also seen several ads for the same exact women's health clinic that have advertised a higher salary to the FNP than the WHNP for the same positions. I am speculating that the FNP would be able to take care of additional areas of health care that were not OB/GYN oriented and thus be a more valuable asset. WHNP obviously have a stronger foundation in women's health than FNP, but this can be fixed through independant study and clinical experience. Overall...I would reccomend FNP.

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I went through the same dilemma you did....I'm getting ready to start the second year of a WHNP program, but tried out a few FNP classes last fall. The reason I decided to stick with the WHNP was because our program does award the ANP as well (and because I loved my WHNP classes and clinicals!)... I think I probably would have switched into the FNP program if it didn't. So since it sounds like your program doesn't give you the WHNP with the ANP at least, sticking with the FNP might be your best bet - especially since, like everyone else on this post has been saying, you can definitely practice GYN as an FNP! Several of the APRNs I've worked with in WHNP clinicals are FNPs. You'll definitely be more hireable as an FNP than with a WHNP only. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER, critical care.

FNP is capable of practicing in women's health and beyond. The broader cirriculum seems the better idea.

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

wow-- thanks so much for the imput! Its music to my ears--- everyone of you! I appreciate the votes of confidence-- it can be so difficult planning the "fail safe" path with careers and grad school/ training.... esp in our very labile health care system.

happy spring everyone!

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You were wise to go the fnp route. I started as an whcnp and had to go back and add on the fnp so i could have more job options. If you get a job with an obgyn you will get plenty of experience quick. you may be lucky enough to be abe to stay in womens health for your entire career--but with the fnp you will have other options if you need them

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Can a student in an FNP program cater some clinicals more towards obstetrical care (like ob or prenatal clinics)? (rather than just gyn?). Can FNPs provide OB care in office? Can FNPs get US certification as well (or only WHNPs)?

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