Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs), clinicians who have undertaken highly specialized training, understand the holistic care that women, in particular, need to thrive. Carol Idso, WHNP, ANP, MSN, wisely notes, “The nursing concepts of presence, listening, and providing hope are the three essential personal skills in working with women.”
“I chose to be a WHNP as I saw a need for a different type of health care offered to women,” Idso says. “I was working as a certified diabetes educator and saw both men and women. I saw a difference in the health care provided for each; granted, men and women do have different physical needs, but there was a different way of communication and approach to care that wasn't effective for the female patients.”
Idso now works at a women's health center in Eau Claire, WI. “The clinical challenges of working with women are mostly related to helping them understand the importance of taking care of themselves. The many hats women wear can be detrimental to their physical, emotional, and mental health. …Women put everyone else first; my job is to put them first.”
Assuming responsibility for women's health is not a light undertaking. Idso points out, “I must stay updated with hormones, contraception, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and ovarian, colon, and breast cancer research to provide safe, effective, quality, and equitable health care. I must stay updated on many health issues and know when to refer and to whom.”
The National Certification Corporation reports that 10,690 WHNPs were certified as of May. According to the organization's website, those clinicians should be able to demonstrate the following competencies, among others:
•Initiate pharmacologic therapy as appropriate or per protocol to manage general, gynecologic, and obstetric health needs of women throughout their life cycle
•Provide general health supervision, health maintenance, education, and counseling to women during the life cycle
•Obtain a gynecologic history, perform a gynecologic examination, and obtain and/or interpret diagnostic studies and laboratory tests relevant to gynecology
•Identify gynecologic deviations from normal, formulate a diagnosis by collaboration as necessary, and provide education and management or refer as necessary
•Provide management and education for women and men in need of family planning and fertility control
•Obtain an obstetric history, perform a prenatal examination, and obtain and/or interpret appropriate diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests relevant to obstetrics
•Provide comprehensive prenatal and postpartum management and education for women with low risk pregnancies
•Screen for high risk pregnancies, pregnancy complications, and postpartum complications; identify deviations from normal; and refer or collaborate as appropriate on prenatal and postpartum education and management
The Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow coalition website indicates that WHNP practice also may include “management of sexually transmitted diseases, well-woman care, care during perimenopause and menopause, as well as care for women experiencing episodic acute or chronic conditions. With additional education and clinical experience, WHNPs are also qualified to practice in a variety of subspecialty areas, such as infertility, cardiovascular health, oncology, geriatrics, endocrinology, urogynecology, bone health, and high-risk pregnancy.” The site also says, “Examples of WHNP practice settings include primary care clinics, physician offices, community health centers, hospitals, antepartum triage units, school and college health clinics, health departments, business and employee health settings, and nursing homes.”
Idso confides, “My favorite thing about helping women is hearing their incredible stories of love, faith, and endurance and their capacity to love and to forgive. Women are amazing creatures that persevere through incredible events in their lives. Be open and honest with them. Be ready to be inspired.”
Inspired to consider becoming a WHNP? Check out the available positions on the next pages.
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