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Program availability

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Master's Degree

Accelerated RN to MSN-WHNP
Online Program

Program Length

28 Mo.

Credits

70

Format

Online

Clinical Placement

We Pledge
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NEXT START March 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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
Our pledgeWe pledge your 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: March 3rd

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Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2024

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 iCredits
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. Program availability varies by location.

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 and 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 principals 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. Student 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 Courses

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

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the Accelerated RN to MSN-WHNP option is $755 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.

  • 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% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

    VA/Military benefits  

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

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

Your clinical placement is our pledge.

We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN-WHNP program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.

As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.

Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*

* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.

MSN Clinical Placement Pledge Herzing Badge
U.S. News & World Report Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs 2024

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing degree programs in 2024.

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.

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.

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.

Classes Start: March 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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

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The Student Experience at Herzing

My passion for education is endless, and given the chance, I would always participate in it in some way, shape, and/or form.

Joanna Hogan

Joanna Hogan

Nursing | Online 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: March 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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