What is the scope of practice for a women’s health nurse practitioner?

Precise scope of practice can vary by state and employer. The American Associate of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides a brief summary of the scope of practice common to all nurse practitioners.

You may have some initial questions about what a WHNP can and can’t do. For instance, can WHNP…

• Write prescriptions? Yes, nurse practitioners may write prescriptions.
• See male patients? Yes, some WHNPs may treat men. WHNPs are educationally prepared to care for individuals inclusive of sex, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Deliver babies? No, only midwives or obstetricians (Obstetrics and Gynecology - OBGYN) can deliver babies.
• Prenatal care? Yes, WHNP can provide pregnancy testing, fertility evaluation, prenatal visits, and postpartum care. 
• Be called an “OBGYN” nurse practitioner? Some WHNP may be informally regarded as an OBGYN NP if their care focuses primarily on the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period. However, no WHNP has the same scope of practice as an OBGYN physician (or nurse midwife).
• Do mammograms? No. WHNP can order mammograms but they do not perform the actual exams.

You’ll learn more specifics over the course of the WHNP program.