Interview with a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

One of the struggles for new nurse practitioners in primary care is managing women’s health topics, and knowing if and when to refer to an OBGYN specialist. We want to do things the right way and use resources we can trust.

In this week’s video, I’m interviewing Monica Carter, who is a family nurse practitioner who has practiced in the women’s health setting for the last 13 years. She dropped SO many pearls and pitfalls of practice, and is truly a gem of a human. We answered questions from the community for a women’s health provider, including:

✅ Tips for finding cervixes on pap smears, when to do a pap post-hysterectomy, and how to assess the variable appearances of cervixes on exam
✅ Tips and resources for managing menopausal symptoms, abnormal pap results, choosing contraceptives (such great insights!) and medications in pregnancy
✅ Getting into GYN as a family nurse practitioner
✅ When to refer to maternal-fetal medicine
✅ Initial workup for infertility and pearls of practice

Check out the resources she mentioned inside the video here:

Menopausal symptoms
ACOG green journal (need an ACOG membership or you can purchase)

Menopro (THIS APP IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE - WE WILL REPOST IF IT COMES BACK ONLINE)

Choosing birth control & best resources - Contraceptive technologies - book and conference

ASCCP app

Reprotox app
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Come follow along for even more tips and inspiration:

[faisasmith]

I love this interview. I am in an FNP program and I am very passionate about WH. You are both wonderful! Thank you!!

[Tanya_]

Thanks I’m doing my women’s health rotation now in my FNP program and I love it… I definitely want to specialize in this practice

[LISALISAo]

Hello there, you don’t know how much this video meant to me. I wanted to tell you THANK YOU for this!! I’m looking into WHNP, with this video, it was an eye opener. Keep it up, I’m sure you’re helping a lot of people like me out there perusing higher level of nursing.

[sharons.]

I love this interview! Monica is the best!

[joelainesmoot]

This is an awesome interview! I currently follow Monica on Instagram! I am a WHNP student here in Pittsburgh. I will graduate in May 2024. I am so passionate about women’s health and very excited to begin my journey and make an impact in the field. ❤

[fushisushiazngrl]

Loved the interview with Monica. She’s so beautiful, eloquent, and helpful. But I think it’s a little confusing to have the title say Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner since Monica is not a certified WHNP but an OBGYN NP. I am a WHNP student and I agree with Monica that your choice between FNP vs WHNP also depends on the marketability of WHNP in your area and where you want to work.

[npacif]

Such an awesome interview, I love you both so so much!

[leticiab]

Hi I enjoyed the video !
Great info !
I wanted to ask about the link to the apps she mentioned as they are not available on the links listed below, thanks

[leticiab]

I watched the entire video and enjoyed it … I wanted to ask what should be done during a IUD revision ?

[amyisradd]

thank you!! i'm considering going back to school for NP soon, between FNP or WHNP. This helps to clarify that FNP is still able to obtain but do womens health nursing!! :)

[LoveWinsAlways_]

I’m sorry … May I clarify ? Is it possible to be a family nurse practitioner and still work in women’s health ? Or do I have to specialize in women health as an NP ?

[ayeoritset]

I would love to know if OBGYN nurse practitioners who focus in obstetrics are also surgical nurses and assist with surgeries?

[Miadabratt]

awesome video, this is from an aspiring obgyn!