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Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health, DNP

Seattle University’s Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares you for certification as a WHNP, to provide holistic primary and specialized care for women and individuals across the gender spectrum, from puberty through the adult lifespan.

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About this Program

Empowering Leaders in Women's Health

Become a leader in women’s health care with Seattle University’s Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Our nationally ranked DNP degree equips you with the skillset to provide critically needed patient-centered care to women and patients of all gender identities throughout the lifespan, including pregnancy. You’ll gain the advanced practice skills to provide primary and specialized care, including gynecological care, prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, as well as order and interpret tests, make diagnoses, create treatment plans, prescribe medications, perform procedures and more.

Our commitment to equity in health care and service to others, combined with a curriculum grounded in critical thinking and evidence-based research, provides you with a deep understanding of complex health care systems and challenges, particularly those related to women’s health. Whether you're a recent BSN graduate or seek to advance your nursing career, a DNP degree from Washington's #1 Nursing School (College Factual, 2024) empowers you to maximize your impact in the in-demand field of women’s health care.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Program at a Glance

Learn how a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner DNP degree will contribute to your career goals. Explore course requirements and see for yourself how impactful our nationally recognized degree program can be.

The Women's Health Nurse Practitioner doctorate program provides the basic core competencies and curriculum essentials required by certifying and accrediting organizations, while taking your practice many steps further. The WHNP program of study is for students entering the DNP program with a BSN and for the Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) students who have successfully completed their pre-licensure program of study.

DNP graduates will:

  1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in the provision of evidence-based advanced practice nursing care.
  2. Utilize information systems technology to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.
  3. Demonstrate competence in an advanced nursing practice specialty.
  4. Exercise leadership through scholarship, advocacy, and community engagement to achieve just and equitable healthcare systems that improve health potential and reduce health disparities of vulnerable populations.
  5. Evaluate and influence healthcare systems and health policy at local, state, federal, and global levels.
  6. Demonstrate effective communication and interprofessional collaboration in the promotion of healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.
  7. Evaluate beliefs, values, and ways of knowing to foster lifelong personal and professional development.
  8. Apply ethical decision-making in complex clinical situations.

What You’ll Learn

Explore the classes you’ll take as a student here.

#1

Nursing School in Washington

SU's College of Nursing was recently ranked as the #1 Nursing School in Washington (College Factual, 2024).

$145K

Average Annual Salary

Washington nurse practitioners are among the highest paid in the nation with an average annual salary of $145,400 and the top 10% earning nearly $181,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).

#2

Nurse Practitioner Programs

Our programs are recognized as the #2 Nurse Practitioner Programs in Washington (RegisteredNursing.org, 2025)

Virtual Information Sessions

Have questions about Seattle University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice programs? Attend a one-hour virtual information session to learn more about the College of Nursing, meet a knowledgeable admissions representative, and get answers to your questions about our programs, the application process and more.

College of Nursing Student in a Classroom
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State-of-the-Art Clinical Performance Lab

The Clinical Performance Lab is a state-of-the-art, 20,000 square foot facility located a few blocks from the Seattle University main campus at Swedish Cherry Hill Medical Center. You’ll take your classroom knowledge and practice in a safe clinical environment with realistic patient scenarios.

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Features and Simulations

To provide safe, hands-on training, the CPL is equipped with several patient simulator models, three simulation suites and more.

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Uniquely Situated in The Dynamic Heart of Seattle

SU's College of Nursing is location only steps away from ‘Pill Hill’—so called because of the density of several major medical centers, giving students easy access to clinical classes in a variety of settings.

1,786

Annual NP Job Openings

The Washington Center for Nursing projects nearly 1,800 job openings for nurse practitioners in Washington state each year between 2026-2031.

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National Certification Corporation WHNP Certification Exam

Graduates of Seattle University’s Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Corporation (NCC) Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC) certification exam.

Midwifery students

Certified Nurse-Midwifery DNP

Are you looking for a nurse practitioner career helping women, but aren't sure which? In addition to our Women's Health Nurse Practitioner specialization, Seattle University also offers a Certified Nurse-Midwifery (CNM) DNP program. Our nationally recognized CNM program incorporates trusted midwifery traditions and innovations in high-tech hospital settings, empowering you to provide much needed health care to women and assist in bringing new and healthy lives to parents and families.

#22

Nationally Ranked CNM Program

Seattle University's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Certified Nurse-Midwifery has been ranked #22 nationally (U.S. News and World Report, 2024).

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Seattle University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Featured Faculty

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For information about DNP degrees at Seattle University, contact:

Oz Sener, MEd

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