A woman’s health nurse is a professional who provides care to females in their reproductive years. This includes ovulation, birth control, menstruation, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care.
A woman’s health nurse also has the knowledge and training to provide physical examinations when required. In addition to these services, they can educate women on how their bodies work during different phases of life.
The majority of a women’s health nurse’s day is spent conducting gynecological exams. These include vaginal and pelvic examinations.
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In addition, they can make the initial assessment of cervical cancer, treat infections, perform Pap smears, or remove abnormal cell growths.
They often work with other health professionals in health care settings such as hospitals or doctor’s offices to provide medical services to their patients.
In their private practice setting, a women’s health nurse may be able to conduct gynecological exams and other services without requiring a doctor’s prescription or review for treatment decisions. A women’s health nurse may also provide birth control education and exams when required.
How to Become a Women’s Health Nurse
To work as a women’s health nurse you need an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in nursing practice from an accredited university like Baylor University Online. You will then be licensed to practice and must complete continuing education courses regularly.
Menstrual cycle, female infertility, and other health topics specific to women are often discussed in countries that have advanced education, but the topics are more taboo in less- economically developed countries. To work as a women’s health nurse in another country you must have knowledge of the citizens’ health needs, including cultural and religious practices. Knowledge of their language is also required, as well as their standards of care.
Issues To Consider
Nurses who provide care for menstruation, birth control, and fertility issues must have a lot of knowledge about family planning and female anatomy. To work as a women’s health nurse, you must keep up with the latest information via continuing education programs.
You need to have good motor skills and be able to communicate with patients in an understanding manner without making them feel uncomfortable.
Skills Required For Women’s Healthcare Nurses
Nursing in an environment where there are many different types of people, including kids, teens, seniors, and pregnant women. You must be able to communicate with these individuals and their families in a way they will understand while still maintaining your professionalism at all times.
Experience
The amount of experience needed to work as a women’s health nurse is dependent on the setting.
A nurse working in private practice will find that they have more flexibility and independence than someone who works as a hospital nurse.
Educational Requirements
Nurses working at pregnant women’s clinics, fertility centers, and universities must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Those with Associate Degrees are often hired to work in public health facilities and state institutions.
What Does a Women’s Health Nurse Do on the Job?
A women’s health nurse is trained to provide obstetric care for women during pregnancy. This includes educating the patient about birth control, delivering a baby, and caring for the mother during postpartum care.
They must also be able to communicate with pregnant women in their own language when necessary.
Women’s Health Nurse Work Environment
There is a direct correlation between education and a women’s healthcare nurse’s income. As you gain experience on the job, your income will increase.
Women’s health nurses may also perform research on new methods of treatment when required. Research may be performed in the lab, clinical setting, or at-home study.
Healthcare Nurse Testing and Licensing
In order to work as a healthcare nurse in many states, you must first pass a board exam.
There are licensing requirements that must be met before you are able to practice in your state. Some states require continuing education credits to keep your license up-to-date periodically.
Some of the most common jobs available for a women’s health nurse include:
Gynecological Nurse
In this type of setting, a woman’s health nurse will do hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis, treat endometriosis, and assist with the treatment of abnormal cell growths.
They may also educate patients about sexual health topics and provide them with treatment options.
Sexual Health Nurse
A sexual health nurse is primarily concerned with providing patients counseling and education about issues related to sexuality and healthy relationships. Issues like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, infertility, and birth control are among the areas that are addressed.
They can also help patients cope with uncomfortable situations, such as sexual assault.
Midwife
Midwives are trained to look after the parent and baby during pregnancy, provide preparation and training for labor, and educate new parents on how to care for their new child and themselves after the delivery. Depending on the country they will either be responsible for care during labor or will be an assistant (such as providing pain relief).
The Future of Women’s Healthcare
One of the biggest challenges facing women’s health care is global climate change. If there are severe weather-related disasters, then the availability and transportation of food supply can be affected. This can result in women and children not getting adequate nutrition which causes malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.
In addition, low-income women and girls have a higher chance of developing stress disorders due to their lack of access to proper healthcare resources.
However, discussion of women’s health is growing louder and as a result countries are starting to focus more effort onto improving women’s health during pregnancy and mortality rates – which is only going to improve women’s care in general.
In China, the focus is on women’s health during pregnancy. The country has focused on reducing maternal mortality rates and increasing the number of births. These goals are aided by a sophisticated ultrasound program and a national network of midwives.
Poverty is still a major issue in China that affects women’s health, and it is still a fact that many pregnancies are considered high-risk. For these women, there are free services that include prenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, and postpartum check-ups.
China’s reduction in mortality rates is something that the U.S. should be looking at closely as an example to use in their own healthcare services.
In Taiwan, there is a focus on educating women about their reproductive health prior to marriage and what to do during pregnancy and birth. There are free prenatal care services as well as medical care for women after delivery.
Taiwan is focusing on bringing down the maternal mortality rate in both urban and rural areas by expanding prenatal services, conducting home visits, and providing education about reproductive health issues.
