WHCNP Curriculum

The WHCNP curriculum weaves together coursework and clinical experiences to prepare students as beginning nurse practitioners in women's health. Systematic health assessment and clinical decision making are emphasized to diagnose and manage health issues and concerns. Successful graduates of the specialty are eligible to apply for certification as a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner.

Currently, the WHCNP specialty accepts Master of Nursing students, Doctor of Nursing Practice students, and post-master's students. We recommend that applicants accepted into the WHCNP specialty begin coursework in the summer, taking NCLIN 500 and NURS 552.

Required courses within this specialty are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while clinical placements are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Our clinical courses include a weekly 2-hour seminar, designed to provide students with the opportunity for small group discussion about actual and hypothetical clinical situations, and one or two days per week at a clinical site. The preceptor at the clinical site will be a nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, certified nurse midwife, or physician.

The WHCNP specialty's coursework includes core courses for advanced practice as well as a strong focus in the care of women across the lifespan which include:

• Health promotion
• Advanced health assessment
• Physiology
• Pathophysiology
• Diagnosis and management of common health concerns
• Pharmacology
• Basic and complex women’s health care and gynecological concerns
• Basic and complex care in obstetrics in the ambulatory setting
• 600 supervised clinical practicum hours
• Professional issues for nurse practitioners