WHCNP Overview

Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHCNP)

The Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHCNP) specialty within the Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares students to become nurse practitioners specializing in women's health. Students learn basic primary health care skills as well as the skills needed to provide ambulatory health care to pregnant and non-pregnant women. The WHCNP course work qualifies graduates to apply for certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) as a women's health care nurse practitioner. This specialty is currently available to applicants in both the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs.

Within the WHCNP specialty option, clinical decision making is emphasized to prepare students to:

provide specialty obstetrical and gynecological care within NP scope of practice
diagnose and treat common acute adult health problems
order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests
counsel patients on healthy lifestyles (health promotion)
conduct risk assessment and reduction
collaborate with the patient to promote patient self care
prescribe medications
consult with other health care providers when appropriate

DNP WHCNP applicants are encouraged to also apply to a primary care specialty Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in order to expand their primary care skills. This dual certification will increase the student's marketability as a nurse practitioner in today's health care arena. DNP applicants choosing to pursue two specialties submit a single set of admissions essays reflecting interest in both specialties. The application materials are evaluated independently by each specialty.

Distance learning options are not currently available for this specialty.

2007 WHCNP Graduates

From left to right: Lynne Walsh, Kimberly Curtis-Scheer, Yelena Bredikhina, Anne "Jezzamine" Yee, Sheila Hoelscher

Specialty Contact Info

bennesa at u dot washington dot edu