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WHNP vs. CNM: What's the Difference?
Consider these two important women’s health professionals in the field of nursing
Women’s health is an important area of healthcare, and the demand for specialized nurse practitioners is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for nurse practitioners are expected to grow by 45% from 2022-2032.*
Two popular careers are women’s health nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives. While both practitioners have a similar scope of practice, and a commitment to helping women, there are key differences.
The basic differences between WHNP and CNM
Both certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) trained to provide comprehensive care to women of all ages. Both CNMs and WHNPs must obtain their registered nurse (RN) licensure, complete advanced training and be certified in their specialty of practice. Beyond that, each practitioner has slightly different focuses.
What Is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)?
A women's health nurse practitioner (WHNP) is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in the care of women throughout their life. WHNPs focus on a wide scope of reproductive, obstetric and gynecological health, as well as general wellness and disease management.
Similar to family nurse practitioners (FNPs), WHNPs are trained to provide a wide variety of care, only with a focus on women. This includes diagnosing minor illnesses such as the flu, to treating chronic, life-long conditions such as diabetes. They also offer preventive care services, including immunizations and health screenings.
WHNPs are advanced practice nurses, yet they function more like a doctor. They diagnose and manage acute and chronic illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication and provide patient education.
Key responsibilities of WHNPs include:
- Reproductive health: This includes planning services, contraceptive counseling and addressing issues such as menstrual disorders and infertility.
- Gynecological care: WHNPs perform routine health screenings, such as pelvic exams, and provide care for conditions like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gynecological cancers.
- Pregnancy and postpartum care: WHNPs provide prenatal and postpartum care and work closely with obstetricians to help ensure they deliver the best possible outcomes.
What Is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)?
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) primarily care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. During pregnancy, CNMs work with expectant mothers to ensure they receive appropriate care. They monitor the mother and baby’s health and offer guidance throughout pregnancy related to health and wellness including nutrition, exercise, and childbirth preparation.
During the childbirth process, CNMs care for the patient to provide pain management and labor support as well as delivery of the newborn and postpartum care. During this time, CNMs work with the patient’s healthcare team to ensure both mother and baby receive needed care. After childbirth, CNMs monitor the mother and baby’s health. They also provide continuing support and education on breastfeeding, infant care and postpartum recovery.
CNMs tend to focus on pregnancy and childbirth, but they do provide additional women’s health services. This includes gynecological and obstetric (OB/GYN) services, such as pap smears, breast exams and family planning, and education about contraception, menopause and other issues unique to women.
Key responsibilities of CNMs include:
- Prenatal care: CNMs offer personalized prenatal care, emphasizing holistic approaches that encompass a woman’s physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Labor and delivery: CNMs support women during labor and delivery, promoting natural childbirth when possible and working with physicians on high-risk cases.
- Postpartum care: CNMs provide care during the postpartum period. This includes breastfeeding support, postpartum recovery and newborn care.
Where Do WHNPs and CNMs Work?
Both CNMs and WHNPs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, medical offices, birth centers and even homes.
How to Become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
To become a women's health nurse practitioner, you’ll need to earn your BSN in nursing, become a registered nurse (RN), and gain work experience. You will also need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree specializing in women’s health. Then you’ll need to get certified and obtain licensure in your state of practice.
Once you graduate as a WHNP, it is important to become certified and earn the recognition of a WHNP-BC. This designation helps show your expertise in obstetrics, gynecology and overall women’s health. It can also help expand your career options and earning potential.
How to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife
To become a certified nurse midwife, you’ll need to take several similar steps, though you will need to enroll in a master’s degree program in nurse midwifery as a specialty.1
After you’ve obtained your RN licensure, you’ll need to pass a national midwifery certification exam, which tests your knowledge of prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and other aspects of midwifery. Once you’ve passed the exam, you will be eligible for a state license to practice as a certified nurse midwife.
Start on your path to success as an advanced practice registered nurse
The demand for advanced practice nurses, including CNMs and WHNPs, is growing, and there are advantages to both professions.2
Whether you want to provide holistic care to women of all ages, or focus more on women’s reproductive health, you can have a positive impact on countless lives.
Learn more about Herzing’s educational pathways in nursing
1. Herzing University does not offer a nurse midwifery program.
2. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse midwives is expected to grow 6% from 2022-2032.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.