15 Reasons WHNPs Are in High Demand For The Next 10 Years
Written By:
Caitlin Goodwin
Caitlin Goodwin DNP, CNM, RN
Caitlin Goodwin is a Certified Nurse-Midwife who has been a nurse for 12 years, primarily in women’s health. She is passionate about caring for children with developmental disabilities, as her son has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Caitlin loved working as a camp nurse for a summer camp for those with special needs. Read Full Bio »» DNP, CNM, RN
There are so many incredible career paths to pursue in reproductive, gynecological, and obstetric health that it is crucial to know why being a women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) is a significant role many clinics and hospitals need. Why are WHNPs in high demand? The high demand stems from their ability to provide extra support, comprehensive patient education, superb clinical care, and a constant desire to empower patients daily. This article will cover the 15 reasons WHNPs are in high demand for the next 10 years, which solidifies the importance of their role.
What is the Estimated Demand for WHNPs for the Next 10 Years?
WHNPs are in high demand because of their crucial role in reproductive healthcare. In fact, according to the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the estimated demand for WHNPs over the course of ten years is 45.68%. When looking at the demand for healthcare facilities, the number further increases. This massive growth reflects the growing recognition in the United States of the invaluable contributions that WHNPs make to healthcare. The increasing demand for WHNPs underscores their vital contributions to the healthcare industry and their need to improve outcomes in reproductive healthcare.
2021-2031 |
+45.68% |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
What are the Reasons Why WHNPs are in High Demand?
(The following are the 15 main reasons why WHNPs are in high demand for the next 10 years.)
REASON #1: Giving Empathetic Support and Rapport
WHNPs are in high demand because they provide a personal connection and empathetic support. After the isolation of the pandemic, people realized they wanted a personal touch in healthcare. Statistics show that
patients who feel connected to their healthcare provider have increased satisfaction, better outcomes, and adherence to plans of care. In a time where healthcare has become brief and impersonal, WHNPs thrive in their ability to establish meaningful connections with patients. WHNPs often tap into their patients’ emotional wellness by listening to their concerns and fostering trust.
REASON #2: Collaborating Closely with an Interdisciplinary Team
WHNPs collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team by working closely with other healthcare professionals to provide expansive and holistic care. Team members include physicians, social workers, therapists, and nurses. Collaborating with other professionals ensures the WHNP can manage all patient health needs and factors. Because healthcare is a team effort, WHNPs do an amazing job recognizing their scope and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure their patients receive comprehensive, multifaceted care.
REASON #3: Improving Healthcare Outcomes
Outcomes show that WHNPs can provide comparable or, in some cases, better care when compared to physicians. WHNPs are skilled at promoting preventative care and managing low-risk patients with health conditions. Research demonstrates that WHNPs provide high-quality, evidence-based healthcare. In fact, patients who see WHNPs
statistically utilize care in the future less frequently than patients of physicians.
REASON #4: Low-Intervention Healthcare
WHNPs are in high demand because of the low interventive care they offer. They focus on preventing disease and are conservative in providing invasive or expensive interventions. The low-intervention model of care aligns since their primary focus is on patient-centered outcomes. As healthcare costs continue to rise, an emphasis on low-intervention healthcare has arisen. WHNPs have been proven to contribute to cost-effective healthcare.
REASON #5: Versatile Reproductive Health Skills
WHNPs offer versatile clinical skills, often stemming from years of nursing expertise. A
2020 study by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners found that WHNPs had 16.3 years of experience on average. Health facilities seek them out because of their wide range of abilities to provide care across the reproductive health lifespan. Skills include physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, and managing common health conditions.
REASON #6: Delivering Patient-centered Care
Because WHNPs are nurses, they follow the nursing method emphasizing patient-centered care. This approach prioritizes actively listening to patients and including them in all steps of the decision-making process. WHNPs consider the preferences, values, and individual concerns to personalize care. This approach enhances patient satisfaction and outcomes.
REASON #7: Offering a Holistic Approach
WHNPs are in high demand due to their propensity for holistic medicine, which is growing in popularity. Holistic medicine is highly sought after, which makes WHNPs an inviting option. WHNPs focus on holistic patient care, which means the complex needs of the whole patient. This approach includes the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of well-being. Holistic practice includes patient education, lifestyle modifications, and alternative or complementary treatment approaches.
REASON #8: Suggesting Trauma Informed Care
WHNPs often provide trauma-informed care, where they identify how trauma impacts the well-being of individuals. Trauma-informed care providers offer care that supports autonomy, promotes resilience, and delivers a sense of safety to each patient. WHNPs focus on the prevalence and effects of trauma and its related symptoms, promoting healing and resilience.
REASON #9: Creating a Therapeutic Relationship
Patients often find that WHNPs are more relatable than other healthcare providers. In these cases, patients are better able to approach their practitioner and feel that they are understood and respected during these encounters. By creating a significant therapeutic relationship, WHNPs can improve communication and trust during healthcare. Patients know that in the care of a WHNP, they will be trusted and understood while establishing a strong foundation with the provider.
REASON #10: Promoting Health Equity and Inclusion
WHNPs are in high demand because they can promote health equity and inclusion while simultaneously reducing healthcare disparities among marginalized populations. WHNPs advocate for equitable healthcare access, provide culturally competent care, and promote resources for the communities who need them. WHNPs often engage with community organizations that ensure they can meet the unique healthcare needs of their populations.
REASON #11: Empowering Patients to Make Informed Decisions
WHNPs play an important role in patient education, empowering them to make informed choices. They tailor education to the patient to explain medical conditions, diagnostic tests, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications. This comprehensive level of care that WHNPs offer enables patients to understand how to manage their health conditions and promote self-care. They prioritize patient education as a major component of their care.
REASON #12: Specialized Knowledge and Education
WHNPs are in high demand because of their
specialized knowledge and education in low-risk female patients and those with a uterus. They understand medical conditions like gynecologic disorders, sexually transmitted infections, prenatal and postpartum care, menopause management, and the provision of annual wellness visits. Because of their expertise, WHNPs are positioned as essential healthcare providers.
REASON #13: Delivering Preventative Health Care
WHNPs focus on health promotion and care because they focus on patient education, counseling, and screenings to prevent disease. Their emphasis on disease prevention enables providers to offer personalized wellness plans and guidance on family planning, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, and recommended vaccinations. With their proactive approach to healthcare, WHNPs empower patients to make decisions about their well-being and the steps they are comfortable and able to take to improve their health.
REASON #14: Continuity of Care through the Lifespan
WHNPs provide continuity of care due to patient relationships that span life from
adolescence to beyond menopause. This continuous care enables knowledge and understanding of the health history and specific needs of a patient. This crucial aspect of care establishes long-term patient relationships that promote a deep understanding of how to best provide tailored and personalized care for each individual.
REASON #15: Promoting Gender-affirming Care and Inclusivity
WHNPs are in high demand because they are more likely to respect pronouns and promote gender-affirming care and inclusivity. Nurses are often connected to patients and can provide a welcoming environment for those with diverse gender identities. By respecting the pronouns of each patient, they can provide supportive care for all patients. The
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health supports NPs who provide gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and pre-and post-operative care. There is a toolkit put out by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioners.
My Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the increasing need for WHNPs proves their vital contributions to healthcare. Over the next ten years, their demand will increase significantly. Why are WHNPs in high demand? WHNPs are necessary for many reasons reflecting their unique expertise, patient-centered and holistic approach, and individualized relationship and care plan for each patient. As healthcare evolves, providers must recognize the importance of comprehensive, personalized care. WHNPs have a crucial role in improving outcomes and promoting well-being for patients. This article described the 15 reasons WHNPs are in high demand for the next 10 years, cementing the importance of their role.
Caitlin Goodwin DNP, CNM, RN
Caitlin Goodwin is a Certified Nurse-Midwife who has been a nurse for 12 years, primarily in women’s health. She is passionate about caring for children with developmental disabilities, as her son has Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is currently working as a freelance writer and consultant and is passionate about advocating for her patients, students, and profession.