Best Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

Bridge, Accelerated, and Alternative Pathways

If you don’t have a BSN already, you may be eligible to apply for an alternative nursing program such as a bridge or accelerated program. These types of programs aim to work with nurses who already have experience in the field to minimize the length and cost of a traditional nursing program. Most bridge or accelerated programs will require students to have at least an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), however others such as a master’s or direct-entry program may allow students to enroll with a graduate degree in a field other than nursing. Here are a few bridge and accelerated programs that may work with your specific background:

• RN to NP
• RN to MSN
• BSN to DNP
• Accelerated MSN
• Master's Entry to Nursing Practice
• Post-Master’s Certificate

Learn more about Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Fast & Affordable WHNP Programs

If you’re like most nurses considering a career change, you’re likely thinking “How much is it going to cost me to go back to school?” and “How long is it going to take?” Through the advancement of online classes, night and summer classes, and self-paced curricula, there are many options for nurses to get their graduate degrees in a timely and affordable fashion.

How to Complete a WHNP Program Quickly

While upper-level graduate degrees like DNPs can take upwards of a decade to complete from start to finish, there are plenty of alternative options for students to complete their studies in a much faster timeline. Here are some ways to save time on your journey to becoming a women’s health nurse practitioner:

1. Opting for a full-time program will save you time over a part-time option.
2. Online programs can often be completed more quickly than their on-campus counterparts.
3. MSN WHNP programs typically take 2 years to complete, much shorter than 3-4 year DNP programs.

A few examples of quick WHNP programs include:

WHNP Programs with Affordable Tuition

While you going back to school is never cheap, you may be surprised at how affordable some WHNP degree programs can be. Here are a few ways to lower your tuition costs:

1. Location – Urban and high-cost living areas will naturally command higher tuition rates.
2. Private vs. Public Schools – Private schools often have higher tuition and fees than public schools.
3. Degree Level – MSN-level WHNP programs are often shorter and cheaper than DNP options.

Here are a few of the most affordable WHNP programs available:

WHNP Curriculum

Women's health nurse practitioner programs offer a specialized curriculum designed to equip students with advanced knowledge in women’s health across the lifespan. Courses often include reproductive and gynecological health, prenatal and postpartum care, menopausal management, and primary care specific to female patients. Students also gain skills in patient assessment, diagnostic procedures, and evidence-based practices tailored to women's health. Clinical rotations provide hands-on experience in diverse settings, preparing WHNPs to address a range of women's health issues from preventive care to managing chronic conditions.

Typical Classes/Courses

Below is a bullet-point list of common courses found in WHNP programs at both the MSN and DNP levels:

• Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
• Reproductive Health and Family Planning
• Gynecologic and Breast Health
• Antepartum and Postpartum Care
• Primary Care for Women
• Menopause and Hormone Therapy Management
• Healthcare Policy and Ethics in Women's Health
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Women
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Women's Health
• Clinical Practicum in Women's Health

Program Clinical Requirements

Both MSN and DNP Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) programs require significant clinical practice hours to build expertise in women's health across the lifespan. Depending on the program level, students can expect between 500 and 1,000+ hours of supervised clinical practice. For details on direct-care hour requirements, refer to your program's curriculum.

MSN: WHNP students in an MSN program generally complete 500-600 clinical hours, emphasizing direct patient care in settings focused on women's health, such as OB/GYN clinics, family planning centers, and prenatal care facilities.

DNP: DNP programs often require 1,000+ clinical hours, including time dedicated to advanced practice, leadership, and project-based learning that promotes improvements in women's healthcare. DNP students may also participate in a clinical residency and undertake a capstone project to demonstrate expertise in women's health and the integration of evidence-based care.

Hands-on clinical training is critical for developing the competencies required to deliver specialized care to women, including skills in diagnostic assessments, reproductive health management, and preventive care.

List of Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

WHNP programs can be found from coast to coast, including the following schools listed below.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.