Women's Health Nurse Practitioner School

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Hi fellow nurses,

 

I currently live in LA, California. I have decided to look into WHNP school, since the specialty really intrigues me. "I would greatly appreciate your assistance, advice, and any insights based on your experience with choosing a school for women's health practitioner training. What were the pros and cons of the school you attended or are currently attending? What aspects did you enjoy, and what obstacles or struggles did you face during your time there? Did the school assist with placements? How long was the program, and what was the cost? Did you have to attend in person a few times a year? Lastly, do you have any regrets about choosing this specialty?" Thank you all!

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Specializes in Midwife, OBGYN.

The two most important things are 1) make sure your school is accredited and is NOT a for profit school 2) they find your preceptors and clinical sites for you.  It will save you a lot of headaches, time, and not delay your graduation unless you already work in Women's Health and have personal connections that you can leverage for clinical sites and preceptors.

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@ Ohm108, Thank you for the feedback .  I will be sure the school is accredited and is NOT a for profit school and the school provides  preceptors and clinical sites for me. 

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

WHNP is a narrowly focused NP specialty. As such, just a few programs exist if you want to stay in California. Of all the accredited programs here, only the CSU campuses in Fullerton and Long Beach offer the WHNP option. I would encourage you to also consider CNM since that adds more to your scope as an advanced practice provider. There are only 2 CNM programs in California...CSU Fullerton and UCSF.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

In addition to the advice already provided, think long and hard about a Women's Health specialty.  That is narrowly focused, meaning fewer employment opportunities.  Carefully research the job prospects.  Personally, I would advise against this and encourage you to get an FNP, which would still allow you to provide women's health services.  You could then go back to school later to earn a CNM or perhaps get a DNP focused on women's health.  Good luck.

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