Advanced Practice Specialty

Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner

Fall 2025 Applications are now open. 

Obtaining the skillset to provide primary health care to individuals from puberty through childbearing and through the adult lifespan is part of the wide scope of the Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner curriculum. Alumni work in a variety of practice settings to deliver gynecologic care, low and high-risk pregnancy management, family planning, sexually transmitted infection diagnosis and treatment, and primary care.

Women's health nurse practitioner student practices a pelvic exam
Section Contents

Specialty Highlights 

Complete in 4 Full-time Semesters 

MN Prespecialty students complete in 3-4 semesters. A part-time plan is also available. 

Online/Hybrid Format

Online classes with several in-person sessions over the course of the program

Robust Clinical Experience

600 hours of clinical practice

I feel very lucky to have trained at VUSN because it gave me the foundation I needed to flourish in the rapidly changing world of medicine.

Leah Barker, MSN’98, WHNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, The Women’s Center for Pelvic Medicine and Surgery
Reliant Medical Group, Westborough, Massachusetts

Prestigious Program with Exceptional Outcomes

  • Students learn from faculty who combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical practice experience for a wider frame of reference.
  • Classes are small and collaborative, with low faculty-to-student ratios and personalized attention.
  • Up-to-date curriculum includes content reflecting women’s and gender-related current health issues.

Curriculum & Objectives

The rigorous curriculum balances interactive, online learning with in-person clinical, lab and class hours. It integrates nursing theory, research and evidence-based practice. Content includes topic areas such as breast health, contraception, pregnancy options counseling, hormone therapy, sexually transmitted infections, sexual health, cultural humility and interpersonal violence.

The WHGRNP curriculum incorporates the 2021 AACN Essentials, assuring students receive a comprehensive and up-to-date education that meets the highest standards in nursing education and assures they are well-prepared for practice.

Explore the MSN full-time, MSN part-time, MN Prespecialty, sample Post-Master's Certificate and DNP curriculums.

Clinical Experience

The School of Nursing's clinical placement team works closely with students and faculty to develop enriching clinical practicums. They strive to place students in their preferred geographic area, when possible, to ensure each student receives comprehensive training in their specialty. The clinical sites include a variety of settings, such as OB/GYN offices, medical centers, community clinics, ambulatory care centers, and specialty clinics. The goal is to provide sites that meet both the students' learning objectives and their personal needs.

Time Commitment

This intensive specialty is best suited for motivated, self-directed learners who can master large amounts of complex material in a short time. We strongly recommend that students do not attempt school and work during the final two semesters of the WHGRNP program, as the program's clinical requirements will conflict with weekday employment. Students who work weekend shifts may sometimes be able to manage part-time employment, but weekday work is not advised. All students are required to complete clinical hours in outpatient settings during each of the two final semesters. 

Outcomes

WHGRNP graduates practice in a wide range of settings, including private practice, adult/internal medicine, OB-GYN clinics, family planning clinics, home health/assisted living/nursing homes, Planned Parenthood, prenatal clinics, fertility clinics/practices, urogynecology practices, women's health clinics and women's prisons. The program prepares graduates well for the Women's Health/Gender Related certification exam offered by the National Certification Corporation.

We aim to positively change the trajectory of health in the lives of the individuals we serve.

Shaunna Parker, MSN, WHNP-BC
Director, Women’s Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner Specialty
Instructor

Take the Next Step

The Women’s Health/Gender Related specialty is available as part of the Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing Prespecialty, Post-Master's Certificate and BSN to DNP programs. Request information about the program or contact your admissions counselor.