Nazareth University launches women’s health nurse practitioner master’s degree for in-demand jobs
Nazareth University is offering a new hybrid Master of Science in Nursing degree for Women’s 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‑person sessions and training nurses to diagnose, treat, and educate patients through a holistic approach to women’s health.
Women's health is the singular focus of Nazareth'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.
“Women’s health nurse practitioners are in high demand due to physician shortages, rising maternal morbidity, and the need for expanded access to specialized health care,” said Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C, president of Nazareth University. “This new hybrid master’s program gives momentum to Nazareth’s 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 — all with strong outcomes.”
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’s health nurse practitioners, equipped to provide patient-centered primary and specialized care from puberty through adulthood.
The master’s degree can be completed in 21 months, and students benefit from community-engaged clinical placements with local health systems and underserved populations.
“Women’s health nurse practitioners help guide patients through some of the most important moments of their lives — from routine health screenings to life-changing diagnoses, pregnancies, losses, transitions, and everything in between,” said Leigh Quenasse, program director. “We know most of our students will be working nurses with full lives, so the WHNP program at Nazareth 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.”
U.S. News & World Report ranks nurse practitioners as the #1 Best Job, Best Health Care Job, and Best STEM Job for 2026 — 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‑quality, cost‑effective care. NP‑managed care is associated with lower costs while maintaining comparable quality to physician‑managed care.
Learn more: https://www2.naz.edu/academics/grad/womens-health-nurse-practitioner/
Contact
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
Nazareth University 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 Nazareth 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, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
