Womens' Health NPs-Question

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Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care.

I currently work in Critical Care nursing and have been for 4 years. I also have 6 years experience in Emergency nursing. I have an expressed interest in the Womens' Health/Community Health NP career track...

Is it feasible to do this track without Labor/Delivery or OB/GYN experience in the clinical setting? What part does your pre-graduate experience play in the track you choose as a Nurse Practitioner?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Acceptance into a WHNP program is dependent on the individual programs and their policies on admission pre-requisites including related nursing experiences. It's always beneficial to pursue an advanced practice nursing role that matches your background as a staff nurse because this allows you to build on existing clinical knowledge. Being already involved in the field you are pursuing also provides you with an existing network of physicians and advanced practitioners who already know your work ethic and can help you land a future job. However, there is no absolute rules in advanced practice nursing and there are definitely ways to get around the issues I mentioned. You'll just have to give extra effort in learning new stuff and building a network of professionals who can help you transition to your chosen advanced practice nursing role. I do advice that before you take the plunge, research the availability of employment options for your field of interest.

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I did my whnp without work experience in the field. I did have rotations in my primar care NP program.

It is possible to do that program with your background. Job options are limited in WHNP but there are some options out there not just in OBGYN. If you feel to limited you could always go back fror another cert. But there are interesting optinos including menopause clinics, bone density, gyn onc, health prmotion for prenatal care ect...

What aspect of WHNP interests you?

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Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care.

Thanks, both of you. Advice well taken. ;)

The aspect of Women's Health that interests me the most is community/public health...counseling young women on family planning, std prevention, prenatal care, preventative medicine, etc. I like to interact with girls and teach them how to take care of themselves, offer advice; you know, the social aspect of the field.

As an ER nurse, I encountered so many young women who were pregnant, yet did not know basic parts of their anatomy. I enjoyed teaching these girls from indigent populations who were very smart, but didn't have an older, responsible female to teach these very basics. I also am interested in seminars, fairs, etc. to boost community awareness on things like STD prevention and unwanted pregnancy prevention. Get my drift???

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Antenatal.

EXACTLY why I want to be an WHNP! So I wont be a millionaire but I'll be happy.

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.

FYI. You can do the same work as an CNM.

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