WHNP vs FNP

Published

Hi. I am looking at returning to school. My heart was set on a WHNP program. I have been a OB/GYN nurse for the past 5 years. After talking with a couple FNP's they said that I should do the FNP route because I had much better odds of finding a job. Do any of you WHNP have any advice? My true passion is women's health but I really need to be able to find a job. I would really appreciate any insight anyone has. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm not a WHNP but know several in my area and they have all had a difficult time finding work. I vote for FNP. Besides, you never know where your career will take you; so give yourself options.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know of any WHNPs but I do know most FNP programs have elective hours (we had about 60) and you could totally do those with a WHNP. You could make your thesis concentrated in that area as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I vote for FNP as well. The WHNP's I graduated with have also had a harder time finding a job (I'm an FNP). I work in the women's part of a clinic but even then I see transgendered men who identify as women. Best to keep give yourself the broadest scope because you just never know. An FNP can take a WHNP-type job but not vice versa.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This is not criticism just curiosity: wouldn't you need to be an FNP in order to see a male who is transgendered but hasn't undergone surgery?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm currently an FNP student struggling with the same issue. I am considering a post master's WHNP to practice with both. Do you experienced NPs think it would be difficult to accure enough hrs in both specialties? For example in a family practice office could my women's exams count towards WHNP practice hrs and all others for my FNP. Basically I want the additional knowledge and skillset that WHNP would provide but I want to provide primary care for underserved populations as well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Practitioner.

OP, is there a certain area of women's health that you would like to work in that you couldn't if you are certified as a FNP? I am a FNP student and I know one of my clinicals focuses on women's health, and I have a friend that is a FNP that worked at a planned parenthood. It seems smarter to leave your options open and choose the broader specialty. I anticipate with healthcare reform that there will be a much higher demand for FNPs in the near future.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

One question to consider - can FNPs do OB care? I'm not sure if they are trained in that, and you do not want to be practicing outside of your scope of practice if you go the FNP route and work in an OB clinic or hospital or something....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Student_FNP,

There isn't anything specifically, my school does not have a women's health rotation. I want to ensure I'm adequately prepared. We don't even have elective hours to use how we please. All the FNPs I know keep telling me they do a lot of women's health and just finish the FNP program. However my instructors are telling me they are really cracking down on NPs working outside of their scope, understandly so. For example they made it sound as if working at Planned Parenthood would be outside of my scope as a FNP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

Routine Women's Health should be well within the scope of practice for an FNP. Things beyond that (ie, procedures, D&C, IUD placement, abortion, OB care) might be outside of your scope, which is a place you do NOT want to be!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Practitioner.

we learn how to do pap smears and place IUDs as part of our women's health rotation in my FNP program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

Yeah, my ANP program we didn't - you had to be specially trained to do IUDs in my area (FINE with me! ;)).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion