In the US alone, there are as many as 4.7 million registered nurses employed in the healthcare system. They play a pivotal role in healthcare facilities to ensure a patient’s recovery and well-being. Many of them work tirelessly around the clock, providing their utmost support and care to patients.
In particular, nurse practitioners in women’s health specialize in women’s healthcare needs.
Stay with us as we discuss the role of women’s health nurse practitioners, as well as how their important work impacts the healthcare industry.
What Are Some Facts About Women’s Health?
Nurse practitioners earn high wages
Any professional in the healthcare industry would know that a nurse’s job is not easy. It requires patience, empathy, and a pure devotion to the profession. As such, nurses are remunerated well – with an average rate of $61.78 an hour ($128,490 per year). They also enjoy a range of benefits that include sign-on, yearly, and productivity bonuses as a reward for their demanding job scope.
They are assigned to an average number of patients
Based on a 2021 study, nurses who specialise in female well-being see an average of seven patients a day, which means that no two days at work are the same. On busy days or in larger healthcare facilities, they may be asked to see more patients. It all depends on patients and their schedules.
They are skilled in a range of areas
Nurses specializing in women’s health do not just assist health specialists in one area, but a range of women-specific sub-specialty areas, including gynaecological and reproductive health issues. Women’s health nurses can be found in community health hubs, hospitals, primary care clinics, and nursing homes, treating patients and providing assistance to specialists.
What Are Some Responsibilities Of A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner?
There are many responsibilities nurses must take on. A nurse practitioner job is more than just a profession, it requires unwavering passion and devotion to the healthcare system. From postnatal care to pelvic examinations, nurses are required to provide quick, quality assistance to patients. Some other responsibilities include:
1. Imparting Knowledge To Patients
In some cases, patients can be unaware of the impact their lifestyle choices have on their health. It’s a nurse’s job to advise accordingly. Nurses often give patients health advice, from cutting back on certain types of food to general information regarding their condition, and imparting knowledge to create positive patient outcomes.
2. Conducting Wellness Checks
Patients schedule appointments for many reasons. This includes follow-up appointments or general routine checks, such as screenings, to ensure they are in good health. During these appointments, women’s health nurses provide support on how female patients can best care for their overall well-being.
3. Prescribing Of Medication
Most women’s health nurses also have the license to prescribe common pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetic medication. This law varies from state to state, so be sure to look into your current state laws and healthcare guidelines.
How To Become A Women’s Health Nurse?
1. Obtain A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
To practice caring for women’s health, you first need to become a licensed nurse by undertaking a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. The degree typically spans four years, allowing you to select a specialization at the end of the programme.
2. Stack Up On Nursing Experience
It is always best to have a few years of professional nursing experience before specializing in women’s health. This could be professional work, or in the form of placements, internships, or even volunteer work.
3. Gain a WHNP-BC License
Before you become a full-fledged women’s health nurse, you must first obtain a WHNP-BC license. This includes an examination that comprises a series of questions to test candidates on their knowledge of female well-being. WHNP-BC examinations are an inexpensive, convenient, and efficient way of obtaining an official permit to become a women’s health certified nurse.
Pursue A Career In Nursing
If you’re looking to pursue a career in nursing, you should know that nursing is more than just a profession. It requires specific healthcare qualifications, as well as soft skills such as patience, empathy, and devotion. But if you’re dedicated, devoted, and focused, you may be suited to a rewarding career as a women’s health nurse.