Women's health nurse practitioner

Education and board certification

Scope of practice

• Obtaining a relevant health history, including a comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic history, with emphasis on gender-based differences.
• Performing a complete, system, or symptom-directed physical examinations on women, including obstetric and gynecologic conditions/needs that include, pregnancy, benign and malignant gynecologic conditions, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, infertility, perimenopause/menopause/postmenopause and other gender-specific illnesses.
• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating for maternal and fetal well-being, high-risk pregnancies, depression, and pregnancy/postpartum complications.
• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating disease risk factors specific to women.
• Distinguishing female gender differences in presentation and progression of health problems and responses to pharmacological agents and other therapies.
• Assessing social and physical environmental health risks, including teratogens, that impact childbearing.
• Assessing for evidence of intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, and substance abuse.
• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating issues related to sexuality.
• Assessing parental behavior and skills and promotes smooth transition to role changes.
• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating selected reproductive health needs or problems in male partners, such as sexually transmitted infections, contraception, and infertility.
• Assessing genetic risks and refers, as needed, for testing and counseling.
• Collaborating with other health care providers for management or referral of high-risk pregnancies.
• Performing primary care procedures, including pap smears, microscopy, post-coital tests, intrauterine device insertion, and endometrial biopsies.
• Providing management and education for women and men in need of family planning and fertility control.