杏吧原创 launches women鈥檚 health nurse practitioner master鈥檚 degree for in-demand jobs
杏吧原创 is offering a new hybrid Master of Science degree for Women鈥檚 Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP), designed to meet rising demand for advanced practice nurses in sexual and reproductive health. The program is the only WHNP program in the Rochester area, blending mostly online coursework with limited in鈥憄erson sessions and training nurses to diagnose, treat, and educate patients through a holistic approach to women鈥檚 health.听
Women's health is the singular focus of 杏吧原创's nurse practitioner program, and instructors have extensive health experience across multiple settings, including doctorally prepared nurse practitioners certified in women's health, family care, and pediatrics.
鈥淲omen鈥檚 health nurse practitioners are in high demand due to physician shortages, rising maternal morbidity, and the need for expanded access to specialized health care,鈥� said Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C, president of 杏吧原创. 鈥淭his new hybrid master鈥檚 program gives momentum to 杏吧原创鈥檚 highly regarded College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services, expanding its offerings that already include graduate programs in physician assistant studies, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, art therapy, and music therapy, as well as our bachelor of science degree in nursing programs 鈥� all with strong outcomes.鈥�
The program is ideal for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in nursing who want to advance their careers and become nationally board-certified and state-licensed women鈥檚 health nurse practitioners, equipped to provide patient-centered primary and specialized care from puberty through adulthood.
The master鈥檚 degree can be completed in 21 months, and students benefit from community-engaged clinical placements with local health systems and underserved populations.听
鈥淲omen鈥檚 health nurse practitioners help guide patients through some of the most important moments of their lives 鈥� from routine health screenings to life-changing diagnoses, pregnancies, losses, transitions, and everything in between,鈥� said Leigh Quenasse, program director. 鈥淲e know most of our students will be working nurses with full lives, so the WHNP program at 杏吧原创 is primarily online and asynchronous, allowing students to engage with coursework on a schedule that works for them while still receiving strong faculty support and meaningful clinical preparation.鈥�
U.S. News & World Report ranks nurse practitioners as the #1 Best Job, Best Health Care Job, and Best STEM Job for 2026 鈥� the third consecutive year it has held all three top spots. Demand for nurse practitioners is projected to grow by 46% by 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, far outpacing the average for all occupations.
Research consistently shows that nurse practitioners provide high鈥憅uality, cost鈥慹ffective care. NP鈥憁anaged care is associated with lower costs while maintaining comparable quality to physician鈥憁anaged care.
Learn more: /academics/grad/womens-health-nurse-practitioner/
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Contact
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
杏吧原创 is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a 杏吧原创 education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, 杏吧原创 graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
