Interview with a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

One of the struggles for new nurse practitioners in primary care is managing women’s health topics, and knowing if and when to refer to an OBGYN specialist. We want to do things the right way and use resources we can trust.
In this week’s video, I’m interviewing Monica Carter, who is a family nurse practitioner who has practiced in the women’s health setting for the last 13 years. She dropped SO many pearls and pitfalls of practice, and is truly a gem of a human. We answered questions from the community for a women’s health provider, including:
✅ Tips for finding cervixes on pap smears, when to do a pap post-hysterectomy, and how to assess the variable appearances of cervixes on exam
✅ Tips and resources for managing menopausal symptoms, abnormal pap results, choosing contraceptives (such great insights!) and medications in pregnancy
✅ Getting into GYN as a family nurse practitioner
✅ When to refer to maternal-fetal medicine
✅ Initial workup for infertility and pearls of practice
Check out the resources she mentioned inside the video here:
Menopausal symptoms
ACOG green journal (need an ACOG membership or you can purchase)
journals.lww.c...
Menopro (THIS APP IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE - WE WILL REPOST IF IT COMES BACK ONLINE)
www.contempora...
Choosing birth control & best resources - Contraceptive technologies - book and conference
www.contracepti...
ASCCP app
www.asccp.org/...
Reprotox app
reprotox.org/
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[@Practitionher]

This has me so excited to take my CNM boards and start working 👩🏽‍⚕️ going into private practice (OBGYN) as a new FNP/CNM in a few weeks . 🍀 🤞🏾🫶🏽

[@RealWorldNP]

So exciting! Good luck on your journey. Thanks for watching!

[@chayoluna1351]

I’m in my woman’s health rotation of my NP program. When I first saw this video on my feed, I ignored it. Thought, I’m not going into that field. But found myself curious to watch it because I have discovered I’m enjoying women’s health soooooo much more than I thought I would. Thank you both for the wonderful interview ❤️

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you so much! We are so glad it's something that brings you joy!

[@cjones8013]

This is the interview I needed to see. Like Ms. Monica, I am a L&D nurse whose passion is in WH, but chose the FNP route for marketability as well. It's great to know she's on my area, and willing to share her knowledge!

[@RealWorldNP]

Wonderful!

[@chanellmerrick9255]

Absolutley loved this interview!!!!!!!!! Everything I needed to hear!

[@RealWorldNP]

I am glad you found it helpful.

[@faisasmith5886]

I love this interview. I am in an FNP program and I am very passionate about WH. You are both wonderful! Thank you!!

[@RealWorldNP]

Wonderful!

[@chloechoi29]

I really appreciate this video with GYN NP interview.. very informative and clear! wish we could have more interviews with specific topics in the future ! :)

[@RealWorldNP]

More coming soon!!

[@edwardglazebrook585]

Thanks for making this video! I'm studying to be an FNP. It's great to hear from an FNP who is working in a specialty and to hear her journey.

[@RealWorldNP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samieberhard2835]

This interview is wonderful!!!! I want to be like both of you when I grow up. Thank you so so so much!!!

[@RealWorldNP]

Oh my gosh you are so sweet - thank you!!

[@prvnchyy]

Watching in 2023! Graduating this summer and found this interview to be so, so helpful!! Thank you both

[@RealWorldNP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NPtanya716]

Thanks I’m doing my women’s health rotation now in my FNP program and I love it… I definitely want to specialize in this practice

[@RealWorldNP]

That's amazing!

[@Practitionher]

I needed this . I am an FNP in houston pursuing midwifery , but have a passion to work with women . I didn’t think it would be possible to do this as an FNP . I mean gosh my KZbin channel is catered towards women . I am going to put out some feelers . Thank you

[@RealWorldNP]

Excellent! I wish you all the very best!

[@sharons.6210]

I love this interview! Monica is the best!

[@RealWorldNP]

She is!

[@joelainesmoot4691]

This is an awesome interview! I currently follow Monica on Instagram! I am a WHNP student here in Pittsburgh. I will graduate in May 2024. I am so passionate about women’s health and very excited to begin my journey and make an impact in the field. ❤

[@RealWorldNP]

Good Luck on your journey. We need good providers out there!

[@tanyshamontana9868]

I love this video!! You are both so engaging and inspirational!! Thank you for this!

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you so much!!

[@samanthacollins4291]

This was great! I wish it was longer, I could have kept watching and learning 😂

[@RealWorldNP]

Isn't she awesome?? There is SO much to learn!

[@lindseyzwart472]

So helpful! Final semester FNP student and Monica's pearls were so helpful, I have some great notes!

[@RealWorldNP]

Isn't she the best??

[@adegbolaoluwawamiri3027]

I love this interview. So so insightful. Main reason I want to do FNP is bcos of marketability. But my interest is in women’s health. So, I’m happy this is quite insightful

[@RealWorldNP]

So glad this found you =).

[@tonidimarzio4335]

I love this interview!! Thank you so much, it answered so many questions I had regarding WHNP vs FNP!

[@RealWorldNP]

So glad it was helpful!

[@npacif1]

Such an awesome interview, I love you both so so much!

[@RealWorldNP]

Aww, we so appreciate that!

[@fushisushiazngrl1]

Loved the interview with Monica. She’s so beautiful, eloquent, and helpful. But I think it’s a little confusing to have the title say Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner since Monica is not a certified WHNP but an OBGYN NP. I am a WHNP student and I agree with Monica that your choice between FNP vs WHNP also depends on the marketability of WHNP in your area and where you want to work.

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you for your input!

[@CandanceLadyworks]

Great point @fushisushiazngrl1 I have colleagues that are having trouble finding a job WHNP. Two of my them have instantly found a job in other specialties. I’m from the south by the way.

[@vanese]

Love you both! Thanks for sharing!!

[@RealWorldNP]

Our pleasure and thank you!

[@claudinalopez122]

This is an amazing interview! Thank you for sharing.

[@RealWorldNP]

So glad you enjoyed it! I hope it helps!

[@damarisalicano6653]

I really appreciate the video! Is very informative and helpful especially for me as a new FNP.

[@RealWorldNP]

Glad it was helpful! And congrats on becoming an FNP! 🎉

[@oliviaferina7010]

I absolutely loved this!

[@RealWorldNP]

Glad you find it helpful

[@lakencameron5014]

Loved this video! So informative and helpful . I will be taking this information into my practice.

[@RealWorldNP]

So glad!

[@cjyrkas]

Great interview! I’m currently a WHNP student!

[@RealWorldNP]

Wonderful! Glad it was helpful!

[@lm4661]

Thank you Monica, great information!!!

[@RealWorldNP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Fulana187]

Loved this interview

[@RealWorldNP]

😁

[@gameriab2006]

Thanks for this video. I'm in an FNP program now and I really want to switch to WHNP. 😩

[@RealWorldNP]

There are different paths for each of us

[@achaudhary4699]

Amazing!!! Thank you!

[@RealWorldNP]

You're so welcome!

[@gurlie2shoos]

Love this video! Such amazing information! Thanks so much!

[@RealWorldNP]

You are so welcome!

[@amyisradd]

thank you!! i'm considering going back to school for NP soon, between FNP or WHNP. This helps to clarify that FNP is still able to obtain but do womens health nursing!! :)

[@RealWorldNP]

Excellent!

[@aidambengue5094]

You are both amazing!!! Love it!!!

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you so much!!

[@weezysbaby21]

Very insightful… thank you

[@RealWorldNP]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@k.m5308]

I love Monica!!!

[@RealWorldNP]

We do too!

[@kimberlyb.2580]

This aged well! ❤

[@RealWorldNP]

Yay, so glad you think so! Thanks for watching.

[@Angeltrashon]

My two Favs! ❤️

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you!

[@leticiab503]

I watched the entire video and enjoyed it … I wanted to ask what should be done during a IUD revision ?

[@RealWorldNP]

I'm not sure what you mean by IUD revision, do you mean if it's partially extruded? In those cases, I remove them and replace a new one, you can't replace them once they've moved.

[@Miadabratt7]

awesome video, this is from an aspiring obgyn!

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you so much - and good luck!!

[@vivianjones5904]

Thanks for that information.

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you!

[@homehere9817]

Hi. I’m a new WHNP! I passed my boards last year during quarantine they remote proctor online testing! But I cannot find a job and they want me to have 2-3 years experience! I moved to DFW area and I’m still not in my new role. Thanks for the video

[@RealWorldNP]

Hey there! Try checking out The Resume Rx - we are an affiliate of Amanda's business because we believe in the work she does to help NPs find their dream job. Check it out here and good luck!! realworldnp--theresumerx.thrivecart.com/djr/

[@homehere9817]

@@RealWorldNP thanks I will check it out. At the moment I'm volunteering in a women's clinic just to get experience. I've never felt so inadequate in my life. Hope things turn around

[@TellyJTV]

@@homehere9817hi, I am reading this comment a year later and wondered if you’ve found your fit with your WHNP license yet? I hope so ! I am currently applying to a WHNP program

[@feliciaallen3029]

Loved!

[@RealWorldNP]

Thank you!

[@leticiab503]

Hi I enjoyed the video ! Great info ! I wanted to ask about the link to the apps she mentioned as they are not available on the links listed below , thanks

[@RealWorldNP]

Check here! Menopausal symptoms ACOG green journal (need an ACOG membership or you can purchase) journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2014/01000/Practice_Bulletin_No__141__Management_of.37.aspx Menopro www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/nams-launches-free-mobile-menopause-app Choosing birth control & best resources - Contraceptive technologies - book and conference www.contraceptivetechnology.org/ ASCCP app www.asccp.org/mobile-app Reprotox app reprotox.org/

[@leticiab503]

@@RealWorldNP hi thanks I think it is the MenoPro App is not opening or doesn’t show on iPhone App Store

[@RealWorldNP]

You are correct - the app is down. We will re-post when/if it's up and running again soon.

[@adegbolaoluwawamiri3027]

I love this. Same reason why I want to do FNP is for marketability but the goal is to actually work in women’s health

[@kennykendall8068]

great interview, in my Obgyn practice , our NP sees 8-12 pts/day while I see 26-30/day, a mix of Ob and gyns. what is the usual patient load for FNPs. thank you.

[@RealWorldNP]

In my primary care office I see about 20 patients per day!

[@Querbss]

Great video!

[@RealWorldNP]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LoveWinsAlways_]

I’m sorry … May I clarify ? Is it possible to be a family nurse practitioner and still work in women’s health ? Or do I have to specialize in women health as an NP ?

[@RealWorldNP]

Many FNP's work in women's health. Just depends on the office. If you are interested it is definitely worth the inquiry.

[@ayeoritset5049]

I would love to know if OBGYN nurse practitioners who focus in obstetrics are also surgical nurses and assist with surgeries?

[@RealWorldNP]

Oh great question! I think that similarly to orthopedics, to be a surgical first assist needs separate training/certifications.

[@lindseychoi]

Did she work as a L&D nurse not the OB nurse before becoming a WHNP?

[@RealWorldNP]

She did!

[@Practitionher]

And she is an FNP not WHNP . Interesting right ?

[@patricetalley7685]

Watching in 2024🎉🎉

[@RealWorldNP]

SO glad to hear it!

[@PhuongNguyen-zy3kk]

Thank you for this video, may I know Monica KZbin channel please? Thank you so much !

[@RealWorldNP]

Monica is on Instagram @monicathenp. You can check out her work there!