Ob/Gyn nursing offers a range of opportunities.
An obstetrics/gynecology nurse works with women in all aspects of their reproductive care, from providing preventative health services to caring for women with reproductive system disorders, including endometriosis, cancer and sexually transmitted diseases, to assisting during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. Becoming an ob/gyn nurse practitioner, also called a women's health nurse practitioner, requires getting a nursing degree, becoming a registered nurse and then completing a nurse practitioner training program with a specialty in women's health.
Nursing Degree
Most nursing schools offer a four-year bachelor's of science degree in nursing. This degree prepares you to provide general nursing services in a range of healthcare environments and to pass the National Council Licensure Examination to become a registered nurse and get your nursing license, which is required before you can work as a nurse.
Nurse Practitioner Programs
Nurse practitioner programs are master degree-level programs usually requiring one to three years to complete. Getting into a nurse practitioner program typically requires at least one year of nursing experience, a minimum GRE score and other requirements that vary by program. Typical core classes might include advanced assessment/differential diagnosis, advanced pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics for advanced nursing practice, along with classes in specific women's medical issues for the women's health specialty.
Certification
The National Certification Corporation offers certification in the following ob/gyn nursing specialties: Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Low Risk Neonatal Nursing, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner.
Considerations
You can work as a nurse in ob/gyn settings without becoming a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner. However, your nursing duties will be more limited, as you cannot provide the range of healthcare services that a nurse practitioner can provide.
Tags: women health, Care Nurse, Care Nurse Practitioner, Health Care, Health Care Nurse, nurse practitioner, Nurse Practitioner