How to Become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse that specializes in the comprehensive care of women throughout their lives. If you are considering becoming a Women’s Health NP, this career guide will give you all of the information you need to make that decision and start you on your path to becoming one.

A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner is a type of Nurse Practitioner that focuses on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health for women of all ages. But more importantly, this position focuses on the entire lifespan of women's health and does so most often in a primary care office setting, rather than a hospital or delivery room.

It is important to note that this position is similar but also very different from a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). A Women’s Health NP spends less time focusing on conception and delivery of newborns than a CNM. This is still a part of their duties and responsibilities, but some will only spend a small percentage of time taking care of those types of patients.

Women’s Health NPs take care of women throughout their entire lifespan and, for that reason, are responsible for a variety of duties. These duties will vary based on the work location, but may include: 

• Conducting well-woman gynecological exams
• Reviewing preventive health needs
• Educating on available contraception and birth control options
• Prescribing medications and contraception
• Inserting long-acting reversible contraception such as
  • Intrauterine devices
  • Implanted devices
• Ordering and interpreting blood and imaging tests
• Designing treatment plans
• Scheduling patients for surgical procedures and coordinating with the healthcare system and surgical department
• Preparing patients for surgery and post-operative plan of care
• Discharging patients from hospital after procedures and treatment
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals
• Addressing infertility concerns
• Sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, treatment, and education
• Managing women through the perinatal period, including:
  • Confirming/dating pregnancy
  • Educating on pregnancy health
  • Performing ultrasounds
  • Monitoring fetal activity
• Menopause education and counseling
• Screening for domestic violence, substance abuse, and high-risk behaviors
• Diagnosing female-related disease processes including, 
  • Breast, ovarian, cervical cancer
  • Hormone changes/menopause
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Female infertility
  • Urogynecological disorders
• May work alongside OB/GYNs as a first assist during surgical procedures

>>Related: Top 4 Highest Paying Specialties for Nurse Practitioners

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners can work in a variety of locations. These include:

• Primary Healthcare Clinics
• Hospitals
• Community Healthcare Clinics
• Academia
• OB/GYN Clinics
• Planned Parenthood
• Family Planning Clinics
• Fertility Clinics
• Women’s Prisons
• Private Practice
• Urgent Care Centers
• Student Health Clinics

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

According to Glassdoor.com, Women’s Health NPs make on average $133,649 per year. Payscale.com reports an average annual salary of $96,601 or roughly $49.61 per hour. 

Specifically, Women’s Health NPs can earn a higher annual salary with increased years of experience.

• Less than 1 year of experience earn an average salary of $88,403
• 1-4 years of experience earn an average salary of $93,357
• 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $98,276
• 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $100,249
• 20+ years of experience earns an average salary of $103,113

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for nurse practitioners in 2022 was $121,610 per year. Unfortunately, the BLS does not differentiate between different types of Nurse Practitioners. 

Regardless of workplace setting, full-time and part-time nurses enjoy similar benefits. While actual benefits may vary depending on the institution, most include the following:

• Health insurance
• Certification Reimbursement      
• Retirement Options
• Holiday Pay
• Family Leave of Absence
• Maternity Leave
• Dental Insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Childcare
• Bereavement leave       
• Vision Insurance        
• Discounts on extracurricular activities      
• Continuing Education Reimbursement
• Relocation packages
• Attendance at nursing conferences

To become a Women’s Health NP, you must first become a registered nurse (RN).

Step 1: Attend Nursing School

You’ll need to earn either an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing program in order to take the first steps to becoming a registered nurse. ADN-prepared nurses will need to complete an additional step of either completing their BSN degree, or entering into an accelerated RN to MSN program which will let them earn their BSN and MSN at the same time.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN

Become a Registered Nurse by passing the NCLEX examination. 

Step 3: Gain Experience or Continue Your Education

Nurses can choose to gain some nursing experience before going back to school, or go directly into an MSN program depending on their unique situation. If you're working before continuing your education, you'll want to work in a related field such as an OB nurse. 

Step 4: Graduate With Your Women’s Health NP From an Accredited Nursing Program

Enter into an MSN/NP program that offers a program to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. For tips on getting into nursing school, check out our article on What To Know About Applying to Nursing Schools. 

Step 5: Become a Certified NP by Passing Your National Examination

The National Certification Corporation offers Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC) certification. This certification is available to APRNs that meet the following criteria.

WHNP-BC Certification Requirements

• Current U.S. nursing licensure is required
• Successful completion of an accredited graduate nurse practitioner program that meets NCC program requirements and prepares women's health care nurse practitioners. The program can be a master's, DNP or post-master's. NCC no longer accepts certificate prepared applicants.
• You must take the exam within 8 years of graduation from your program.

Step 6: Get a Job As a Women’s Health NP

Now you’re ready to get your dream job. Congratulations!

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

CEU hours will vary based on the state of licensure. For each state an individual is licensed, CEU hours will be required. Generally, NPs are required to have a minimum of 75 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty area (orthopedics).

Additionally, even though they are functioning in an APRN role, they must maintain their RN certification.  In order for an individual to renew their RN license, they will need to fill out an application, complete a specific number of CEU hours, and pay a nominal fee. Each state has specific requirements and it is important to check with the board of nursing prior to applying for license renewal.

A detailed look at Continuing Nurse Education hours can be found here.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for NPs is excellent. From 2022-2032 there is expected to be 38% growth. 

Additionally, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has projected that there will be a shortage of up to nearly 9000 obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN) by 2020, which will grow to a shortage of up to 22,000 by 2050. Women’s Health NPs will fill that void. 

A research study from 2019 found that the following 10 metropolitan areas most likely to experience a shortage: 

1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Miami, Florida
4. Riverside, California
5. Los Angeles, California
6. Buffalo, New York
7. Jacksonville, Florida
8. Detroit, Michigan
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. Dallas, Texas

Furthermore, it was determined that the number of OB/GYNs is not the only concern. The researchers also highlighted the importance of the demographics of practicing providers. The report found that nationally, 35% of OB/GYNs are 55 years and older and of the 50 evaluated areas, there are 33 in which at least one-third of practicing OB/GYNs are 55 years or older.

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health's
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
• American Medical Women’s Association

Becoming a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner is a rewarding and fulfilling career. This role allows individuals to not only care for pregnant women, but also for pre-menarche and postmenopausal as well as everyone in between. 

1. General Nurse Practitioner
2. Family Nurse Practitioner
3. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
4. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
5. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
6. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
7. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
8. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
9. Emergency Nurse Practitioner
10. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
11. Oncology Nurse Practitioner

• What is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner?

  • A Women’s Health NP is a highly specially trained Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who focuses on the care of women throughout their lives. They focus on women's conditions and nursing interventions like health promotion, disease prevention, education, and helping women make smart lifestyle choices.

• What can a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner do?

  • A Women’s Health NP focuses on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health of women of all ages. Women’s Health NPs provide gynecologic care, low and high-risk pregnancy management, family planning, sexually transmitted infection diagnosis and treatment, and primary care to women. Their scope of practice includes health care management, disease prevention, and health promotion.

• How much do Women's Health Nurse Practitioners make?

  • According to Glassdoor.com Women’s Health NPs make on average $133,649 per year. 

• Can a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner deliver babies?

  • Yes, a Women’s Health NP can deliver a baby. Some states will allow them to deliver independently while others will require an MD or Certified Midwife to be present at the time of birth. 

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