Post-Master’s Certificate
in Urogynecology
Women's Health Nurse Practitioners specializing in Urogynecology are experts on bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor disorders.
What Will You Do as an Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Specializing in Urogynecology?
In this role, you will evaluate and manage female patients ages 12 and above who have pelvic floor dysfunction which includes bladder or bowel control problems, urinary retention, and chronic pelvic pain. You will utilize advanced diagnostic testing such as urodynamics to assess continence and barriers to pelvic health. As a WHNP specializing in urogynecology, you will provide care both independently and as part of a professional health care team across very diverse settings. You will specialize in conservative therapies for pelvic floor health conditions. Common skills for Urogynecology Nurse Practitioners include:
- Pelvic floor muscle evaluation and therapy
- Pessary fitting
- Urodynamic testing
- Interstim Sacral Nerve Stimulation programming
- Intravesical therapy
What is Urogynecology?
Urogynecology is a subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology focusing on bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor problems in women including continence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, and elimination disorders. Pelvic floor issues can impact quality of life for women of all ages, and nurse practitioners with urogynecologic training improve quality of life in their patients.
Urogynecology Program Coordinators
Vanessa Hardy,MSN, WHNP-BC, APN
Vanessa Hardy is a board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and licensed Advanced Practice Nurse. She specializes in urogynecology, and focuses on conservative office treatments for pelvic pain and urinary and bowel symptoms. She has a clinical practice with St. Thomas Health Services Center for Pelvic Health.
Originally from Nashville, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Vanessa is actively involved in several professional organizations including the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) and the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA).
Amy Hull, MSN, WHNP-BC, APN
As an active advocate for pelvic health, certified nurse practitioner, Amy Hull, has spent the past fifteen years studying, researching, and promoting viable avenues to improved quality of life for women suffering from issues related to pelvic health. Earning her B.S. from David Lipscomb University and her Master in Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Amy was awarded a women’s health nurse practitioner license 1994. Since that time she as amassed a vast array of knowledge and experience providing care to women with problems stemming from pelvic floor dysfunction. She has an active clinical practice with St. Thomas’ Health Services Center for Pelvic Health.
Program Description
Students will participate in a three-hour didactic course, a two-hour skills lab, and a four-hour preceptorship. Preceptorship will include a variety of clinical situations such as reconstructive surgery experiences, pelvic floor physical therapy, sexual dysfunction clinic, urodynamics, and pelvic floor clinics.
Plan of Study
The Urogynecology Post-Master’s Program requires completion of the following courses:
- N332 A Urogynecology for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 semesters hours didactic)
- N332B Advanced Practice Urogynecology Skills (2 semester hours lab)
- N332C Preceptorship in Urogynecology (4 semester hours clinical)
Program Competencies
The practice of Urogynecology builds upon the general functions performed by the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with these competencies:
- Describes pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract, bowel, pelvic organs, nerves, and muscles.
- Demonstrates ability to utilize evidence-based practice guidelines for pelvic floor disorders.
- Demonstrates mastery of advanced assessment skills including: pelvic floor assessment, pelvic organ prolapse quantitative staging, and comprehensive evaluation of pelvic pain.
- Identifies the need to initiate consultation or referral for urogynecologic needs.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members.
- Facilitates education of patients, families, the public, and the healthcare community regarding urogynecologic health.
