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Accelerated RN to MSN-WHNP
Online Program

Bridge from associated degree RN to WHNP by enrolling in our Accelerated RN to MSN-WHNP option. Find your calling in nursing with Herzing University.

Program Length

28 Mo.

Credits

70

Format

Online

Clinical Placement

We Pledge
calendar

NEXT START May 4th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Request Info Apply Now

Discover your new career path as a WHNP with Herzing University

AccreditationCCNE accredited,†Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Choose your pathChoose our Accelerated RN to MSN curriculum, or stop for a BSN on the way (RN to BSN to MSN)
Format100% online classwork with hands-on clinical practicum experience
Paying for schoolScholarships and financial aid available for those who qualify; transfer credit from prior college coursework to reduce cost and time
Clinicals675 clinical hours—Herzing pledges clinical placement
Dual creditEarn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University

Learn More Today!

Classes start: May 4th

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US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2026

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2026

US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2026

We Pledge Clinical Placement

Worried about clinical placement? You don't have to be.

At Herzing, clinical placement is built into your experience—because it's essential, and you deserve a program that treats it that way.

There's no guesswork. Just a proven framework backed by a promise. Our promise is your placement.

Clinical Guidance Process and Pledge Details

Accelerate into the WHNP specialty online

The MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner degree (BSN to WHNP) is a 70-credit graduate program which prepares you for a career as a women’s health nurse practitioner. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in advanced leadership and management, community and public health nursing, gynecology and obstetrics (OBGYN), pre- and post-partum care, and much more.

Herzing Nursing Student DNP WHNP

  • Career-focused curriculum

    Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

  • Flexible schedule

    We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

  • Virtual services

    Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

  • Lifelong support

    We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

  • Rolling admissions

    No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Curriculum

RN to MSN-WHNP courses & curriculum details

All didactic lecture-style courses are delivered 100% online. You will also be required to complete 675 clinical practicum hours.

You may also elect to earn a bachelor’s degree on the way as part of an RN to BSN to MSN pathway, which combines our RN to BSN (12 months) and MSN-WHNP (24 months) programs. Please contact admissions for more details.

ProgramMonths iSemester Credits
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - Accelerated RN to MSN (MSNWHNPA)2870

i. Average number of months for students to complete program.

Required Bridge Courses

All courses, 16.00 semester credit hours, are required prior to completing graduate level coursework.

This course requires students to analyze discourse communities, execute a well-designed academic research project, apply reading strategies to academic texts, and use texts as models for writing. Analyzing discourse communities involves identifying how communication conventions change in different contexts. Designing and executing an academic research project involves formulating research questions, conducting primary and/or secondary research, synthesizing ideas from multiple sources, discussing findings, and presenting the results in APA format. Applying reading strategies to academic texts involves using a process for reading, identifying text features, evaluating sources, and organizing reading notes. Using texts as models for writing involves analyzing and imitating the scope, structure, methods, use of evidence, and tone common to academic writing.

This course presents the study of basic statistical theory and concepts. Topics include statistical probabilities, measures of central tendency, measures of variation, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation.

This course uses theoretical frameworks in critical thinking strategies to study the coordinating role of the profession nurse within the healthcare delivery system.  Current theories of leadership and management in relation to nursing practice.

This course focuses on the role and competencies of the nurse in the community setting, to promote whole-person health.  The principles of professional nursing care are applied to culturally diverse individuals, families, and groups and are integrated throughout the health-illness continuum. In the clinical setting, students care for selected patients in various community-based settings, integrating knowledge of epidemiology and factors that influence population health.

Using the knowledge, skills, research, technology, and experience, learners will expand and explore advanced nursing practice as an educator, leader, and practitioner. This course will examine nursing theory, professional role competencies, and standards related to practice, education, and leadership.

Required Core Courses

All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course focuses on the integration, translation, and application of established and evolving theoretical, evidence-based, and disciplinary nursing knowledge as the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice. Students examine frameworks for knowledge and propose a practice application informed by leadership principals and ethical decision making.

The course focuses on a systems-based approach to enhance quality and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance using established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science. Students will review metrics and data driven benchmarks to analyze quality and safety initiatives, employ change theory and improvement science processes to design evidence‐based interventions, and demonstrate advocacy to promote a just institutional culture reflecting resiliency, civility, and respect.

This course will explore information, communication technologies, and informatics processes used to provide care, gather data, drive decision making, and manage and improve the delivery of safe, high‐quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards. Students will perform an information technology analysis of their practice and develop strategic planning to direct the selection and implementation of new information and communication technologies for their practice setting.

This course applies the principles of best practices, change theory, and improvement and implementation science to the development of innovative solutions for complex health systems to ensure optimal care. Course key concepts include organizational structure, including relationships among macro‐, meso‐, and microsystems across healthcare, and financial and payment models for cost management and reimbursement. Students will engage in a strategic planning initiative for a complex healthcare system which enhances value, access, quality, and cost‐effectiveness, including policy to address health equity and eliminate structural discrimination.

The course focuses on the application, evaluation, and dissemination of knowledge in practice to improve health and transform health care. The processes for the generation, critique, synthesis, and translation of knowledge will be examined. Students will complete human subject protection certification, determine best practices for a specified clinical initiative, and apply evidence to clinical decision making using a framework of evidence-based practice and improvement science.

Required Direct Care Courses

All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is an examination of the process of holistic assessment (physical, psychosocial, and cultural) of individuals across the lifespan. Focus is critical thinking and decision-making related to the role of the advanced practice nurse in a primary care setting.

The course examines scientific concepts of pathophysiology essential to diagnostic reasoning and clinical management of common disease states. The dilemma of cost and need for laboratory and radiographic evidence to support diagnosis is examined.

This course is designed to advance the student's knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics in the management of health and disease states. Major categories of pharmacological agents are examined in the context of the life span, culture, and health and disease states. State and federal regulation related to purchase, possession, administration and patient education about controlled substances, pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic agents used as medications are examined.

Required Specialty Courses

All courses, 30.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is an examination of the processes applicable to clinical decision making. Models for clinical decision making will be presented.  An overview of key assessments and the wide range of clinical activity categories that impact clinical decision making will be provided. Application of course concepts will be accomplished through engagement with hypothetical clinical scenarios.

This introductory course focuses on integrating theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines, and contemporary practice in the assessment and management of health and disease states specific to women across the lifespan. Personal, family, cultural, community, and societal influences are analyzed for their impact on women's physical and emotional health. Health risk identification, health promotion, maintenance, and treatment alternatives are examined.

This clinical course introduces the foundations of women's healthcare, including topics such as health assessment, reproductive stages, and family planning. In addition, this course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of primary care concerns for women from reproductive age through post-menopausal transition. The primary care clinical component allows for the application of theoretical knowledge to the patient care setting.

The focus of this clinical course is introducing common gynecologic problems and standard obstetric care to women from reproductive age through post-menopausal transition. The assessment and decision-making process will be applied in order to evaluate, diagnose, and treat common gynecologic concerns. In addition, there is a focus on standard obstetric care including components of prenatal care and assessment, normal physiologic changes in pregnancy, management of common discomforts in pregnancy, and routine postpartum care. Disparities in obstetric outcomes across populations will be explored. The clinical component of this course will be completed in an OB/GYN setting and will allow for application of these concepts to the clinical arena.

This course focuses on the further development of theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines, and contemporary practice in the assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and management of gynecologic and obstetric care for women from reproductive age through post-menopausal transition. Building upon the concepts of previous Women's Health Nurse Practitioner courses, emphasis is on complex gynecologic concerns. Topics include malignancies impacting the reproductive health system, pelvic pain disorders, and sexual health. In addition, this course focuses on the identification and management of pregnancy and postpartum complications including pregnancy loss. There will be a continued application of women's health theoretical concepts in the OB/GYN clinical setting.

This course is an immersion experience into women's health practice and the role of the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. This final precepted practicum will prepare the student to assume the full scope of advanced nursing practice and demonstrate the entry-level core and population-focused Women's Health Nurse Practitioner competencies. Emphasis is on refining theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines, and contemporary practice in the assessment and management of health and disease states of women from reproductive age through post-menopausal transition in a variety of healthcare settings and in collaboration with other health professionals.

This course focuses on proficient multidimensional leadership for healthcare. Leadership theory, managing change in complex environments, mentoring, and creating a workplace environment that promotes social justice and equity, self‐care, personal health, and well‐being, and lifelong learning will be emphasized. Students will examine their personal, professional, and leadership development process, and create a three-dimensional advocacy-based approach to provide leadership in for the healthcare, professional, and community arenas.

This course examines the healthcare delivery continuum from public health prevention to disease management of populations and describes collaborative activities with both traditional and non‐traditional partnerships from affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes. For a selected population, students will analyze health priorities and the potential for collaboration and partnerships to provide a basis for interventions, policy, advocate strategy, and emergency preparedness.

Clinical Proficiency Exam and Policy

The following modules are 0.00 semester credit hours associated with the policy outlined above. Students are required to take as co-requisite module along with NU 611, NU 642, NU 664 or NU 671, depending on the program of study. Module Number Module Name  Semester Credit Hours NSG 0600 Clinical Proficiency Module 0.00 NSG 0600R Clinical Proficiency Remediation Module (if needed) 0.00  

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the Accelerated RN to MSN-WHNP option is $770 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find My Estimate 

  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

    Find scholarships and grants  

  • Military/Veteran Discounts

    Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.

    VA/Military benefits  

Find My Estimate 
Requirements

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment requirements are the same whether you choose the Accelerated RN to MSN-WHNP or RN to BSN to MSN-WHNP track. Prerequisites include:

  • Live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the RN to MSN program
  • Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they practice
  • Hold an associate degree (ADN/ASN/AASN) in nursing from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
  • Participate in an interview to identify your goals and determine if the program is right for you

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Clinicals

Clinical Experience: Herzing supports your search for a preceptor

Finding a preceptor or clinical location for a WHNP program can be a pain point for many prospective nursing students. With Herzing University you are never on your own.

If you'd like more detail on the process, read our guide to finding a nurse practitioner preceptor, which includes information on what sites you may choose, what kinds of preceptors you can work with, and tips on how to secure a clinical.

Benefits of the Herzing RN to MSN-WHNP program clinical experience:

Strong University guidance

Herzing goes above and beyond to help you find a clinical site. Our Clinical Guidance Process backed by the Herzing APRN Clinical Placement Pledge ensures you are able to secure clinical placement as part of the RN to MSN-WHNP program.

You will be ready

Our program includes a Clinical Readiness Course to prepare you for success in the practicum and your clinical experiences during your time here at Herzing University.

Interdisciplinary opportunities

Exposure to diverse women’s health settings makes you a better, more prepared nurse practitioner. Our priority is your experience to build upon in your new career—the Herzing RN to MSN-WHNP program requires a minimum of 675 clinical hours to help ensure you see a variety of patients across the lifespan. You will earn personalized, valuable clinical experience providing primary and specialty care for women, including reproductive, prenatal and gynecologic health needs.

Flexible scheduling

Fitting clinical hours into an already hectic life can be a challenge. In collaboration with your clinical preceptor, you will identify a schedule that works best for you.

We treat you like a professional

You are a student—but in a clinical setting you are accountable to a licensed healthcare provider and their patients. From enrollment to completion, we treat you like the nursing professional you are working so hard to become.

We Pledge Clinical Placement

Worried about clinical placement? You don't have to be.

At Herzing, clinical placement is built into your experience—because it's essential, and you deserve a program that treats it that way.

There's no guesswork. Just a proven framework backed by a promise. Our promise is your placement.

Clinical Guidance Process and Pledge Details

APRN Clinical placement pledge logo
Clinicals

Clinical Experience: Herzing supports your search for a preceptor

Finding a preceptor or clinical location for a WHNP program can be a pain point for many prospective nursing students. With Herzing University you are never on your own.

If you'd like more detail on the process, read our guide to finding a nurse practitioner preceptor, which includes information on what sites you may choose, what kinds of preceptors you can work with, and tips on how to secure a clinical.

Benefits of the Herzing RN to MSN-WHNP program clinical experience:

Strong University guidance

Herzing goes above and beyond to help you find a clinical site. Our Clinical Guidance Process backed by the Herzing APRN Clinical Placement Pledge ensures you are able to secure clinical placement as part of the RN to MSN-WHNP program.

You will be ready

Our program includes a Clinical Readiness Course to prepare you for success in the practicum and your clinical experiences during your time here at Herzing University.

Interdisciplinary opportunities

Exposure to diverse women’s health settings makes you a better, more prepared nurse practitioner. Our priority is your experience to build upon in your new career—the Herzing RN to MSN-WHNP program requires a minimum of 675 clinical hours to help ensure you see a variety of patients across the lifespan. You will earn personalized, valuable clinical experience providing primary and specialty care for women, including reproductive, prenatal and gynecologic health needs.

Flexible scheduling

Fitting clinical hours into an already hectic life can be a challenge. In collaboration with your clinical preceptor, you will identify a schedule that works best for you.

We treat you like a professional

You are a student—but in a clinical setting you are accountable to a licensed healthcare provider and their patients. From enrollment to completion, we treat you like the nursing professional you are working so hard to become.

Accreditation & Recognition

Our accredited & recognized online school

We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in the United States. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university.

We are proud to have attained institutional and programmatic accreditation in addition to industry recognition for our accomplishments helping students earn a college education and find career success.

  • CCNE Accreditation

    ✝The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

  • U.S. News & World Report Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs 2026

    Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing degree programs in 2026.

  • Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    View all Herzing University Accreditations and Approvals.

Classes Start: May 4th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now 
US News Graduate Nursing badges
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2026
Request Info Apply Now 
Locations

Program Finder

RN to MSN - Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs / Showing 1 program for the Online campus

  • RN to MSN - Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

    Online

    To learn more about this program, click the Request Info button.

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The Student Experience at Herzing

Nursing school was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. The most challenging part, other than learning how to manage your time, is the clinicals. The instructors were great – very personable. The faculty and the admission staff very quickly became family.
Anthony Pierson
Nursing | Kenosha Campus
Pursuing a career as an FNP had been a desire of mine for over a decade, but family and work commitments always took precedence over broadening my education.
Lisa Phillips
Nursing | Kenosha Campus
The faculty here make themselves available during their designated office hours, but if you need extra help, they will meet at times that will work for YOU.
Barbara Mulcahy
Nursing | Madison Campus
As an LPN, I already had a little bit of experience, but I knew that I wanted to hone my skills and knowledge.
Jochellee De Leon
Nursing | Brookfield/Milwaukee Campus
The faculty here make themselves available during their designated office hours, but if you need extra help, they will meet at times that will work for YOU.
Barbara Mulcahy
Nursing | Madison Campus
Disclosures

Accreditation & Disclosures

Not all programs approved in all states. Individual considering the MSN-WHNP program should be aware that state requirements for availability of required clinical courses and eligibility to apply for licensure as a women's health nurse practitioner vary from state to state. Applicants should check with their applicable state board of nursing before enrolling in any graduate nursing program.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

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Classes Start: May 4th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now