Find out about careers where you can make a difference in women’s health, from reproductive health and family planning to advocacy work and mental health counseling, and the degree programs that can get you there. Do you have military experience and want to work in the medical field? Do you have any interest in working to improve the reproductive health of women? Veterans may make an impact and establish a successful career because of the increasing demand for skilled workers in this sector.
The field of women’s reproductive health is complex, but also rich with opportunity. Helping women understand and deal with their healthcare options is an important part of your job as a healthcare provider. The work of reproductive health professionals is crucial to the health of millions of women across the country, from delivering basic health care to handling sophisticated surgical procedures. A career in women’s reproductive health may be the perfect fit for a veteran who is passionate about healthcare and wants to make a difference in the lives of others.
Why Work in Women's Health?
There are a variety of opportunities in the field of women’s health care for people with a strong interest in this area.
Do you care about women’s reproductive health as a student? Alternatively, do you hope to utilize your social work training to advance women’s health in their local communities? There are many job opportunities available, and several pay salaries much above the average in the country.
Numerous job openings are available in the field of women’s health, which is one of its primary advantages. Jobs in generalist fields, in family planning and reproductive health, in violence prevention, and in cancer treatment require a wide range of abilities. Anyone from lactation consultants to MBA graduates can find work in women’s health.
Women's Reproductive Health Jobs and Earning Potential
Women’s reproductive health is a broad field with many different job options. Some instances are as follows:
OB/GYN stands for "obstetrician-gynecologist."
Doctors who focus on women’s reproductive health are called obstetricians and gynecologists. Prenatal care, labor and delivery assistance, and gynecological checkups are just some of the services they offer. Obtaining a medical degree and completing a residency are usually prerequisites for practicing obstetrics and gynecology. The average yearly income of an OB/GYN is $238,320, as reported by the BLS in the United States.
Nurse-Midwife:
Prenatal care, birth, and postpartum care are just some of the services that nurse-midwives offer. Family planning and well-woman gynecological care are also offered. Nurse-midwives are medical professionals who combine traditional nursing with childbirth and parenting responsibilities.
Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health:
Nurse practitioners who specialize in women’s health are qualified to treat women of all ages and stages of life, including services such as family planning, prenatal care, and menopause treatment. They need to be certified as a nurse practitioner in their home state and hold a master’s degree in nursing.
Expert in Reproductive Hormones:
Infertility and other hormonal disorders affecting the reproductive system are common cases seen by the reproductive endocrinologists who diagnose and treat them. They may also help women who are going through menopause. A medical degree and a residency in reproductive endocrinology and infertility are usually prerequisites for entering the field of reproductive endocrinology. income.com reports that reproductive endocrinologists earn a median yearly income of $318,571.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) :
Women can turn to Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) for expert care throughout their reproductive lives. Their expertise spans the whole range of reproductive health care, from preventative care to emergency situations. CNMs can find employment in a wide range of healthcare facilities, from hospitals and clinics to birthing centers and private offices. Primary care physicians may also provide physical examinations, make medical diagnoses, recommend testing, and prescribe drugs. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) reports that Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) earn a median annual income of $110,930.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) :
A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in women’s healthcare. Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) have extensive training in gynecological care, reproductive health care, and family planning, and are licensed to perform these and other medical services. To guarantee that women get the finest treatment possible, they coordinate with other medical experts. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) reports that Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) earn a median annual income of $110,930.
Family Planning Counselor:
Contraception, fertility, and reproductive health are all topics that family planning experts may help you with. They might be employed by hospitals, universities, or non-profits serving their local communities. In most cases, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and certification in order to work as a family planning counselor.
These are only a handful of the many possible occupations in the field of women’s reproductive health. There are many ways to make a difference in the lives of women and their families, including direct patient treatment, research, advocacy, and education.
What You Need to Know About Becoming a Reproductive Health Professional
1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor’s degree in an area like nursing, biology, or public health is the starting point for a career in women’s reproductive health. If you’re interested in a career in women’s reproductive health, this degree will provide you the groundwork in science, research, and health education you need to get started.
2. Get Experience In The WorkForce
Gaining relevant job experience in healthcare is essential after completing a bachelor’s degree program in the subject. You can accomplish this by getting a job as a nurse, medical assistant, or another type of healthcare provider in a facility specializing in women’s health.
Earn an advanced degree.
Women’s health nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives often need a master’s degree in nursing. Both the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education must accredit the master’s degree program.
3. Get Accredited
Most professions dealing with women’s reproductive health need certification, and this includes certified nurse-midwives and women’s health nurse practitioners. Organizations like the American Midwifery Certification Board and the National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties provide certification programs for those interested.
4. Register for a license.
DOING A HISTORY CHECK
Getting a criminal record check is a must before applying for a job in the field of women’s reproductive health. This is to make sure you’re qualified for the job and can get a license to do it.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) specifies that applicants must use a DBPR-approved supplier for electronic fingerprinting services in order to satisfy this requirement. One of the most often utilized authorized suppliers is the Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service.
It is recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing board or regulatory body in your state for further information on the procedure and standards for background checks.
APPLYING FOR THE LICENSE
You can apply for a license to practice women’s reproductive health if you have finished the necessary education and training. To do so, you must apply to the relevant licensing board or regulatory body in your state. In most cases, you’ll need to show proof of your education, training, and results of a background check when applying for a job.
PREPPING FOR THE TEST
If your application is accepted, the next step is to take and pass a licensing examination. Your understanding of reproductive health, state regulations, and other key areas will all be put to the test. The appropriate licensing board or regulatory body will give study materials to help you get ready for the examination.
ACHIEVING A LICENSE
You can legally work in the field of women’s reproductive health after passing the required test. Keep abreast of any changes to state licensing requirements and laws, since licensure needs might differ from state to state.
5. Expand Your Professional Circle
Establishing and maintaining a strong professional network is crucial to your success and growth in the field of women’s reproductive health. Opportunities to network with other professionals in the area can be found through membership in professional organizations like the American College of Nurse-Midwives or the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.
Utilize Your VA Educational Benefits To Launch A Profession In Women's Reproductive Health
There are a number of ways in which veterans can use their VA education benefits to launch a career in women’s reproductive health. Veterans can start by learning about the various options available in the field of women’s reproductive health so that they may pick a job that is a good fit for their abilities and interests. After deciding on a profession, veterans should look into training and degree programs that would equip them for the job.
The following step is to check their VA benefits eligibility. The VA website allows veterans to research their benefits and submit an application online. After proving their eligibility, veterans can utilize their benefits to cover the costs of courses on the topic of reproductive health for women. Nursing, midwifery, and public health courses are all fair game here.
Finally, veterans should build their professional networks and actively pursue internships and full-time employment. Career fairs, professional groups, and finding a mentor in the field are all great ways for them to get their foot in the door and start making contacts. Veterans can use their VA education funds to launch a rewarding career in women’s reproductive health by following these guidelines.
- Benefits for Veteran’s Education and Training: Eligible veterans can take use of the VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program to further their education or acquire new skills. Use these funds to enroll in a degree or certification program focused on the reproductive health of women.
- Part-time employment options are available via the VA Work-Study Program for veterans who are enrolled in an accredited degree or certificate program. Earning a supplemental income while gaining valuable work experience in the field of women’s reproductive health is possible with this program.
- Program for Work and Rehabilitation (VR&E): Veterans with impairments as a result of their military service are eligible for the full range of services offered by the VR&E program. This program can help you get the education and training you need, as well as the resources you need to find a job, so you can help women’s reproductive health.
- Scholarships For those veterans interested in a career in women’s reproductive health, there are a number of financial opportunities. Veterans can get financial aid from groups like the Pat Tillman Foundation, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In conclusion
Veterans interested in making a positive impact on society may find work in the field of women’s reproductive health to be personally and professionally satisfying. You can go into obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, women’s health nursing, or even become a midwife, just to name a few of the many options. Veterans may get the training, experience, and credentials they need to succeed in their chosen occupations thanks to the VA’s stipend program.
It’s important to think carefully about the job options available in women’s reproductive health and to map out a plan for getting there. This book will help veterans get started on the path to a rewarding and important profession in women’s reproductive health. Success in the field of women’s reproductive health requires time, effort, and attention, but the payoff is great.
