Prepare to deliver exceptional, inclusive care with Duke’s Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner MSN.
The U.S. maternal mortality rate is 32.9 per 100,000 women, with African American women facing a rate 2.6 times higher. These alarming figures underscore the need for skilled and compassionate women’s health nurse practitioners to develop and implement effective solutions that lead to better patient outcomes.
Duke University School of Nursing offers one of the top Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) MSN programs in the country. Through an expertly crafted blend of distance-based learning and hands-on clinical training, we’re shaping future generations of women’s health specialists to deliver exceptional primary, reproductive and sexual health care for people of diverse cultural backgrounds and gender identities.
As a student in our women’s health MSN program, you’ll join a close-knit and supportive community of diverse peers and dedicated faculty committed to advancing inclusive and culturally competent women’s health care. You’ll also learn from practicing nurse practitioners who are passionate about your success, empowering you with skills and confidence to achieve great things in the classroom and beyond.
#5
Best Nursing Schools: Master's
Combining foundational knowledge with specialty information essential for the unique health needs of women. The comprehensive program incorporates reproductive and sexual healthcare for people, including all gender identities.
Women’s Health NP Post-Graduate Certificate
For students who already have a master’s from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school or in another approved discipline, we also offer a Women’s Health NP Post-Graduate Certificate. This program allows you to build on your expertise with specialized skills and knowledge, advancing your career potential.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Highlights
Duke University’s online MSN programs are ranked #4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and for good reason. From our expert faculty and rigorous courses to our dedication to furthering health equity, we offer a rich learning experience that equips you with sought-after expertise for a rewarding and impactful career:
Hybrid learning format:
Our women’s MSN health program offers a distance-based format, allowing you to learn at your own pace while managing your work and personal commitments. Our dedicated clinical placement team will work with you to locate one of our 2,000+ global clinical partners that aligns with your interests and geographic convenience. Additionally, immersive on-campus experiences are available at our Center for Nursing Discovery lab and simulation centers.
Personalized mentorship:
At Duke School of Nursing, you’re not just a number. Our women’s health program connects you with a personalized mentor — a senior student or alumnus who understands your journey. They’ll be your source of support and expertise, helping you navigate your program and achieve your goals.
World-class curriculum:
We’ve designed our women’s health MSN program to prepare you to step into your career with the confidence and competency to provide the best care possible for your patients. We offer in-patient rotations to provide you with a wide variety of experiences in in-patient OB triage and postpartum treatment, as well as pre-op and post-op rounds. We’re also one of the only programs in the country to offer Centering Group Facilitation Workshop Certification, which can help you stand out from other women’s health specialists.
What Can You Do With a Women’s Health NP MSN?
Our women’s health program requires the least number of credits compared to other nursing schools — all without sacrificing valuable hands-on learning experiences. This means that you will graduate and enter your career as a women’s health specialist sooner.
More than half of WHNP graduates work in general OB-GYN settings after graduation, while others thrive in specialty clinical environments. Other graduates find specialty roles in settings such as:
- Fertility clinics
- Breast and gynecology oncology
- Integrative women’s health care clinics
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Student health clinics
- Substance use disorder centers
- Inpatient perinatal facilities
- Planned Parenthood
- Urogynecology
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses to grow up to 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. While exact figures vary depending on location, experience, practice specialty and other factors, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $129,480 for APRNs, with the highest 10% earning more than $211,820.
Program Director
Kathryn Trotter
DNP, CNM, FNP-C, CHSE, FAANP, FAAN
Dr. Kathryn Trotter is the director of the Women’s Health NP major. She teaches advanced women’s health courses, the basic perinatal health course and gynecology content within other NP courses. About 40% of her time is in clinical practice as a certified nurse-midwife and family nurse practitioner at Duke University Medical Center. She is the senior NP for the benign breast clinic and a high-risk breast cancer clinic at Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, and she mentors WHNP students at the gynecology clinic for Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers.
Learn more about Kathryn Trotter: Scholars@Duke
Meet Our MSN Faculty
Our internationally renowned AGACNP faculty foster a supportive learning environment that prioritizes your academic and professional success. They bring their real-world experience as nurse practitioners into the classroom, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field.
The Duke Difference
Earn your Duke nursing degree or certificate while you continue to work.
Discover our unwavering focus on creating innovative, nurse-led models of care.
Learn from experts in distance-based and hybrid education for over 20 years.
Learn & practice at one of the most advanced health systems in the world.
Our faculty are leaders in their field, with real world clinical experience.
We have exceptional students, learning alongside talented & dedicated classmates.
MSN Admissions
The MSN program employs a holistic admissions strategy. We consider each candidate’s unique life experiences alongside their academic performance, grades and test scores. This ensures that our nurse practitioner students represent the diversity of patients you will care for in your career.
If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.
We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Student Testimonials
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Duke struck my interest when I found out about their simulation labs, regional anesthesia course and wide variety of clinical rotations that allow you to get the best experience you can throughout your three years.
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This program prepared me well for my future. I truly believe my DNP will open doors to me that may not have been open.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for MSN Students
As part of our mission to meet the needs of nurse practitioners nationwide, Duke School of Nursing offers a variety of financial aid options for MSN students. These include a merit-based scholarship and federal loan opportunities to fund your MSN degree.
Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships