Program Director (Acting) S. Ashford, M.N., R.N.C., F.N.P.
Instructors M. Brown, M.N., C.N.M.; M. Kida, M.S.N., R.N.C., W.H.N.P.; M. Lee-McNair, M.N., R.N.C., O.G.N.P.; M. Shiver, M.S.N., R.N.C., O.G.N.P.
Medical Director J., Rock M.D., Chairman, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Regional Training Center Director W. Chamberlain, M.P.A.
Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health Care
GYN-OB nurse practitioners (also known as GYN-OB, Women's Health, or reproductive health care nurse practitioners) are registered nurses who are prepared through additional formal study to deliver primary health care services to women throughout the life cycle. These advanced-practice nurses function in a variety of settings including public health and family planning clinics, community health centers, student health services, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, and private practice.
Among the services provided by GYN-OB nurse practitioners are physical examinations, health education and counseling, Pap smear screening and follow-up, contraception, pregnancy testing, prenatal and postpartum care, and diagnosis and treatment of various gynecological conditions such as sexually transmitted diseases and menopause management. To provide comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous care, the nurse practitioner collaborates with other members of the health care team and is accountable for patient care.
Since registered nurses are health professionals licensed to practice nursing in their states of residence, the legal right to practice is derived from the state. Although requirements vary by state, most nurse practitioners are regulated by state boards of nursing and practice under regulations specifically for nurse practitioners. Some states also have degree and/or certification requirements. Certification means that a nurse has met certain educational and professional requirements and passed a written examination given at the national level. Most GYN-OB nurse practitioners are certified by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
Since its beginning in 1972, the gynecologic-obstetric nurse practitioner Program has graduated more than one thousand nurses. Funded, in part, by a grant from the U.S. Office of Population Affairs, the program resides in the Emory University Regional Training Center, a division of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the Emory University School of Medicine. Program accreditation has been awarded by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Reproductive Health (NANPRH), 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20005. Continuing education provider accreditation is held through the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission of Accreditation.
The GYN-OB Nurse Practitioner Program curriculum is a condensed and demanding course of study one academic year (nine months) in length and includes didactic, supervised clinical and preceptorship portions. Although its primary mission is the education of public health nurses employed by Title X-funded agencies in DHHS Region IV (the eight southeastern states), private applications are also welcomed. Upon successful completion of all course requirements, the graduate is awarded a certificate of completion and continuing education units in nursing.
The first phase of the program is seventeen weeks of full-time (forty hours per week) study in Atlanta and includes didactic instruction, clinical skills practice, and supervised clinical rotations in a variety of ambulatory health care settings. Increasing competence is measured throughout the course by examinations, research papers, projects, case history presentations and clinical evaluations.
After successful completion of the first seventeen weeks, the student returns to her/his home practice setting to work a minimum of twenty-four hours per week for twenty consecutive weeks with one or more preceptors. Preceptors may include physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or physician assistants with the appropriate credentials and experience in women's health care. Clinical rotations during the preceptorship must include both a minimum number of hours and a minimum number of patients in obstetrics, family planning, and gynecology.
Two classes are held each year starting in January and August. Admission, curriculum, and graduation requirements and fees are subject to change. Program information, including application dates and deadlines, is available by contacting the Emory University Regional Training Center, GONP Program, 100 Edgewood Avenue, NE, Room 802, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-523-1996.
a. Currently employed by an agency or program receiving Title X funds.
b. Endorsement by home agency family planning program director and medical director. The program director agreement form must be signed and completed.
c. Each applicant from the same health district must have a separate clinical preceptorship (i.e., two students may not rotate together).
The director of the GONP program welcomes questions or inquiries from individuals with disabilities regarding the standards and their application to each individual's unique situation. In each case, a determination will be made as to whether the individual is qualified for admission to the program and if reasonable accommodations can be made. While the GONP program is prohibited by federal law from making inquiries about specific disabilities prior to admission, applicants who are selected for admission must be prepared to meet the performance standards in order to complete the program.
I. Communication
An individual must have the ability to communicate effectively and relate interpersonally with other individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Examples include collecting a health history, giving treatment instructions or outlining a plan of care, teaching health courses, alleviating patient anxiety, and communicating with other health care professionals.
II. Critical Thinking
An individual must possess sufficient critical thinking abilities to make timely and appropriate clinical judgments. Such abilities are essential for solving problems, analyzing and interpreting data, making decisions, using educational theories and concepts, processing information, and developing a plan of action.
III. Physical Abilities
An individual must have the physical strength, mobility, and endurance to physically examine patients, conduct various treatments and diagnostic tests, and react in emergency situations, such as performing CPR.
IV. Fine Motor Ability
An individual must be able to use fine motor skills, along with physical mobility, to conduct physical examinations and treatments and to manipulate and calibrate equipment such as ophthalmoscopes.
V. Sensory Ability
An individual must have adequate senses of vision, hearing, smell, and touch to detect and evaluate physical signs and the condition of a patient. These include, for example, being able to identify heart and breathing sounds and unusual odors and to assess general appearance.
VI. Mental/Emotional Stability
An individual must possess the mental/emotional stability necessary to cope with stressful situations, adapt to change and the unexpected, maintain objectivity, and recognize personal strengths and weaknesses. Examples include responding to the emotional needs of patients, respecting individual differences (cultural, religious, socioeconomic), utilizing appropriate communication processes, and demonstrating safe, legal, and ethical practices.
To qualify for a certificate of completion, the student must satisfactorily complete the GYN-OB Nurse Practitioner Program. This includes meeting all attendance and patient number requirements and completing all examinations and assignments with passing scores. Minimum passing score for any test is 75 percent; any score less than 75 percent will result in automatic dismissal from the program. However, a test average of 80 percent or better must be achieved by test III to continue in the program and again by test VII in order to take the final examination. A minimum passing grade for written assignments is 80 percent. In addition, students must exhibit satisfactory performance in the clinical areas. Successful completion of the program is based on all of the aboveÐÐscholastic and clinical performances as well as the student's character, health, general attitude, and suitability for the profession.
Upon receiving a certificate of completion, the graduate is qualified to apply to sit for the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination offered by the National Certification Corporation. Application may also be made to the appropriate licensing board (usually the board of nursing) in the graduate's state of residence for nurse practitioner recognition (also know as licensure or state certification in some states).
GONP 410. Nurse Practitioner I
Spring, fall.
Seventeen-week didactic and supervised clinical course in Atlanta. Consists of
ten modules: physical assessment, the neonate, contraception, nurse
practitioner issues, adolescent health care, gynecology, obstetrics (basic
skills), obstetrics (advanced skills), common problems of the adult female, and
interviewing, counseling, and consumer education. Focuses on the knowledge and
skills necessary to provide ambulatory care to women with uncomplicated family
planning, gynecological, and obstetrical needs. Incorporates the professional,
ethical, and legal standards surrounding advanced nursing practice.
GONP 415. Nurse Practitioner II
Spring, summer.
Post-didactic preceptorship at the student's (self-arranged) ambulatory work
setting. The student works under the supervision of one or more preceptors to
further develop and refine clinical skills, apply knowledge acquired in the
education program, and adapt to the nurse practitioner role. Minimum
requirement of twenty-four hours per week and certain patient numbers.
GONP 420. Nurse Practitioner III
Fall.
Completion of five-month preceptorship and preparation for graduation. Minimum
requirement of twenty-four hours per week.