Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Picture of a Nurse taking a woman's blood pressure.

Serving as Important Health Care Providers to Women Throughout the Lifespan

‌Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) are experts in woman-focused health promotion and disease prevention. As specialists, WHNPs deliver comprehensive health care to women, with emphasis on reproductive and gynecologic health needs. They provide well-woman care, care during and after pregnancy, and care before and after menopause. They also care for women experiencing episodic acute or chronic illnesses. WHNPs see a broad range of patients in practice settings that include primary care centers, adolescent health centers, and private practice.

The WHNP major, as part of FPB's MSN program, requires 38 credit hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals. With full-time enrollment, coursework is usually completed within 12 months (four semesters). Core MSN courses are offered in an intensive format that requires limited trips to Cleveland.

Download the WHNP Brochure 


Sample Full-Time Curriculum: Beginning Fall 2015

Spring Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 405* Inquiry I - Theoretical Foundations 2
NURS 459 Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NURS 431* Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice 2
NURS 444C* Health Policy, Legislation and Legal Issues in Advanced Practice 1
  Total 8

Summer Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 425* Inquiry II - Research Process 3
NURS 444A* Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice 1
  Total 4

Fall Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 453 Advanced Pathophysiology 4
NURS 454^

Gynecologic, Reproductive, and Sexual Health Care

3
NUNP 410* Health Promotion Across the Life Span 2
NURS 444B* Health Care Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice 1
  Total 10

Spring Semester II

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 455^ The Childbearing Family 4
NURS 430 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 502* Inquiry III - Evidence-Based Practice 2
  Total 9

Summer Semester II

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 559^ Primary Care in Women's Health 4
NURS 451* Leadership for Quality Healthcare within Organizations and Systems 3
  Total 7

Accumulated Total Hours: 38

Note: The above curriculum is full-time; part-time plans are also available. The Advanced Practice Core courses (NURS 430, 453, 459) are co-requisites or pre-requisites for the clinical nursing courses. Clinical nursing courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed above. Clinical course availability is based upon enrollment.

* = Intensive Course, see MSN Intensives general schedule online for more information
^ = Clinical Course


Sample Full-Time Curriculum: Prior to Fall 2015

First Year

Fall Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 405 Inquiry I: Theoretical Foundations 3
NURS 453 Advanced Pathophysiology 4
NURS 459 Assessment for Advanced Practice 3
NURS 454

Gynecologic, Reproductive, and Sexual Health Care

3
NUNP 410 Health Promotion 2
  Total 15

Spring Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 425 Inquiry II: The Research Process 3
NURS 430 Pharmacology and Therapeutics for the Advanced Practice Nurse 3
NURS 455 The Childbearing Family 4
  Total 10

Summer Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 559 Primary Care for Women 4
  Total 4

Second Year

Fall Semester II

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 502 Inquiry III Evidenced Based Nursing Practice 2
NURS 503 Inquiry Practicum 1
NURS 443B Professionalism in Advanced Practice: Role Development 1
NURS 444A Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Ethical Issues 1
NURS 444B Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Finance 1
NURS 444C Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Policy and Legal 1
NURS 431 Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice 2
  Total 9

Accumulated Total Hours: 38

The Advanced Practice Core courses are co-requisites or pre-requisites for the clinical nursing courses. Clinical nursing courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed above. Clinical course availability is based upon enrollment.