A historical perspective of the women's health nurse practitioner.
There are more than 12,000 women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) currently certified by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and practicing in a wide range of roles. The purpose of this article is to describe the historical development of the WHNP specialty, and to review the evolution of the specialty from an initially very focused practice in the area of family planning into obstetric and gynecologic care to today's more diffuse role inclusive of primary care. Women's health nurse practitioners must broaden their educational background to include the lifespan of women, not just the reproductive years. With the inclusion of chronic disease management of the middle-aged and elderly woman, WHNPs will provide more comprehensive and integrative health care to women in all areas of the United States.
Kass-Wolff
Jane H
JH
Women, Children, and Family Health, College of Nursing, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. jane.kass-wolff@ucdenver.edu
Lowe
Nancy K
NK
D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000266:history; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000266:history*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000266:history; D012956:Societies, Nursing / Q000266:history; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D014146:Training Support / Q000266:history; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health / Q000266:history*