Question about FNP's in womens health

[sweet_baby_RN]

I was just wondering how easy it is to break into Women's health as an FNP. Does your practice as a nurse and concurrent certs affect the ability to get a job as an FNP? For example, if my background is mostly in maternal and child health nursing would it be easier as an FNP to get into a Women's Health role?

Thanks for any information.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Since there is a WHNP I wouldn't expect an FNP to be hired into that role. There's a lot of training you would be missing. It could happen but I wouldn't expect it.

[ssalulu]

I was just wondering how easy it is to break into Women's health as an FNP. Does your practice as a nurse and concurrent certs affect the ability to get a job as an FNP? For example, if my background is mostly in maternal and child health nursing would it be easier as an FNP to get into a Women's Health role?

Thanks for any information.

I think your previous experience could be helpful. It wouldn't hurt. I worked with an FNP who didn't have any previous experience in women's health who fit into the role nicely.

[RN-In Maine]

It truly depends where you are ...meaning the state you want to work. Where I am from most if not all OBGYN offices want FNPs. Healthcare is moving towards more well rounded providers and I have had friends with WHNP degrees denied jobs because they were looking for FNP degrees in the OB's office. I would ask around that's what I did!! I am thankful I did now because my passion is in womens health/obgyn. I have worked in maternity for 7 years as an RN, half way though the FNP program, and keeping my hopes up that I get a womens health/obgyn position when I am done. If not I will keep trying until I do :) I love that specialty area! Goodluck, but make sure you ask around and get some good advice. Even ask the OB docs on your maternity unit...would they hire an FNP for there office?

[SnowShoeRN]

I can't speak from experience, but I go back and worth wanting to be a WHNP or someday CNM, and wanting to be a FNP. I'm in a FNP program right now, but I'm also taking Care of the Childbearing Woman for my "elective" class and trying to accrue additional women's health hours at the suggestion of the head of our WHNP program. She is of the belief that while many (if not most) OBGYN's prefer WHNP's over FNP's, it certainly doesn't hurt to be a FNP with extra coursework and/or clinical hours in women's health.

[MommyandRN]

There's always a post-masters certificate ... you could do FNP, and if you aren't finding a job in ob/gyn, get a WHNP post masters cert., pass the boards and be both. A lot of work but just a thought.