NP
Nurse Practitioners play a crucial role in expanding access to compassionate, patient-centered abortion care — especially in primary care and community health settings.
The NP pathway offers multiple entry points for training, from graduate education through continuing practice and post-licensure advocacy.
Note: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNAs) may provide anesthesia during abortion procedures in some settings.
Overview & Expectations
Your ability to provide abortion care depends on state laws and scope-of-practice regulations. Ask yourself:
Can NPs legally perform abortion care in the state where you want to live, work, or study?
Can NPs legally perform abortion care in the state where you want to live, work, or study?
What types are allowed—procedural, medication, telehealth, early pregnancy loss?
What types are allowed—procedural, medication, telehealth, early pregnancy loss?
If NPs cannot provide procedural or medication abortion, can they provide patient care and counseling before, or help manage follow up and complications? What is the role of the RN in abortion care in your state?
If NPs cannot provide procedural or medication abortion, can they provide patient care and counseling before, or help manage follow up and complications? What is the role of the RN in abortion care in your state?
Are there supervision or collaboration requirements?
Are there supervision or collaboration requirements?
Common NP specialties providing abortion care: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
Tip: If you’re considering Nurse Corps or National Health Service Corps programs, remember these typically require a multi-year, primary-care service commitment.
Your ability to provide abortion care depends on state laws and scope-of-practice regulations. Ask yourself:
Can NPs legally perform abortion care in the state where you want to live, work, or study?
What types are allowed—procedural, medication, telehealth, early pregnancy loss?
If NPs cannot provide procedural or medication abortion, can they provide patient care and counseling before, or help manage follow up and complications? What is the role of the RN in abortion care in your state?
Are there supervision or collaboration requirements?
Common NP specialties providing abortion care: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
Tip: If you’re considering Nurse Corps or National Health Service Corps programs, remember these typically require a multi-year, primary-care service commitment.
Degrees: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing (DNP) [Direct-entry or post-master’s].
Degrees: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing (DNP) [Direct-entry or post-master’s].
Prerequisites: Programs vary, but commonly include Biology/Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics.
Prerequisites: Programs vary, but commonly include Biology/Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics.
Costs & Funding: Tuition varies by program type and location.
Costs & Funding: Tuition varies by program type and location.
Ask upfront about:
Ask upfront about:
Clinical placement support and preceptor availability
Hidden costs (e.g., board review fees, travel for clinical sites)
Explore:
Explore:
Look into scholarships, fellowships, and federal service programs (NHSC, Nurse Corps).
Questions to Ask Programs:
Is abortion included in my didactic and/or clinical curriculum?
Is abortion included in my didactic and/or clinical curriculum?
Are preceptors or professors supportive of abortion training?
Are preceptors or professors supportive of abortion training?
Are there affiliated clinical sites where abortion care is provided?
Are there affiliated clinical sites where abortion care is provided?
What are the opportunities to gain sexual and reproductive health (SRH) skills while in training?
What are the opportunities to gain sexual and reproductive health (SRH) skills while in training?
How are telehealth and early pregnancy loss taught?
How are telehealth and early pregnancy loss taught?
Tip: If you’re considering Nurse Corps or National Health Service Corps programs, remember these typically require a multi-year, primary-care service commitment.
Degrees: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing (DNP) [Direct-entry or post-master’s].
Prerequisites: Programs vary, but commonly include Biology/Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics.
Costs & Funding: Tuition varies by program type and location.
Ask upfront about:
Clinical placement support and preceptor availability
Hidden costs (e.g., board review fees, travel for clinical sites)
Explore:
Look into scholarships, fellowships, and federal service programs (NHSC, Nurse Corps).
Questions to Ask Programs:
Is abortion included in my didactic and/or clinical curriculum?
Are preceptors or professors supportive of abortion training?
Are there affiliated clinical sites where abortion care is provided?
What are the opportunities to gain sexual and reproductive health (SRH) skills while in training?
How are telehealth and early pregnancy loss taught?
Tip: If you’re considering Nurse Corps or National Health Service Corps programs, remember these typically require a multi-year, primary-care service commitment.
Start early by building reproductive health experience:
Volunteer or work at a family planning or abortion clinic.
Volunteer or work at a family planning or abortion clinic.
Train as a clinic escort or abortion doula to understand protester dynamics, safety, and patient support.
Train as a clinic escort or abortion doula to understand protester dynamics, safety, and patient support.
Attend webinars and workshops hosted by reproductive advocacy groups [TEACH, RHAP, NSRH, National Abortion Federation (NAF).]
Attend webinars and workshops hosted by reproductive advocacy groups [TEACH, RHAP, NSRH, National Abortion Federation (NAF).]
Sign up for these advocacy newsletters to stay current with training and policy shifts.
Sign up for these advocacy newsletters to stay current with training and policy shifts.
Gain clinical experience as an RN at Planned Parenthood, independent clinics, or Labor & Delivery (L&D) settings to strengthen your foundation.
Gain clinical experience as an RN at Planned Parenthood, independent clinics, or Labor & Delivery (L&D) settings to strengthen your foundation.
Start early by building reproductive health experience:
Volunteer or work at a family planning or abortion clinic.
Train as a clinic escort or abortion doula to understand protester dynamics, safety, and patient support.
Attend webinars and workshops hosted by reproductive advocacy groups [TEACH, RHAP, NSRH, National Abortion Federation (NAF).]
Sign up for these advocacy newsletters to stay current with training and policy shifts.
Gain clinical experience as an RN at Planned Parenthood, independent clinics, or Labor & Delivery (L&D) settings to strengthen your foundation.
Cultivate Awareness
Cultivate Awareness
Take electives in SRH, ethics, and community health.
Take electives in SRH, ethics, and community health.
Join or start a NSRH chapter.
Join or start a NSRH chapter.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc..
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc..
Take electives in SRH, ethics, and community health.
Join or start a NSRH chapter.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc..
Explore TEACH Early Abortion Curriculum and RHAP Clinical Modules.
Explore TEACH Early Abortion Curriculum and RHAP Clinical Modules.
Engage in values clarification exercises around autonomy and care. Then become a trainer!
Engage in values clarification exercises around autonomy and care. Then become a trainer!
Explore TEACH Early Abortion Curriculum and RHAP Clinical Modules.
Engage in values clarification exercises around autonomy and care. Then become a trainer!
Root in Community
Choose rotations or electives in reproductive health clinics, community health centers, or family planning programs.
Choose rotations or electives in reproductive health clinics, community health centers, or family planning programs.
Volunteer at local clinics to understand the intersection between access, stigma, and patient care.
Volunteer at local clinics to understand the intersection between access, stigma, and patient care.
Attend National Abortion Federation (NAF), Society of Family Planning, and Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) conferences.
Attend National Abortion Federation (NAF), Society of Family Planning, and Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) conferences.
Join local Reproductive Health Access Project Network clusters to meet mentors and potential preceptors.
Join local Reproductive Health Access Project Network clusters to meet mentors and potential preceptors.
Work and triage patients as an RN at Planned Parenthood, independent abortion clinics, or full-scope OB/GYN clinics.
Work and triage patients as an RN at Planned Parenthood, independent abortion clinics, or full-scope OB/GYN clinics.
On-campus idea: Organize papaya or manual uterine aspiration (MUA) training workshops; invite reproductive justice leaders; facilitate peer learning circles.
On-campus idea: Organize papaya or manual uterine aspiration (MUA) training workshops; invite reproductive justice leaders; facilitate peer learning circles.
Attend National Abortion Federation (NAF), Society of Family Planning, and Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) conferences.
Join local Reproductive Health Access Project Network clusters to meet mentors and potential preceptors.
Work and triage patients as an RN at Planned Parenthood, independent abortion clinics, or full-scope OB/GYN clinics.
On-campus idea: Organize papaya or manual uterine aspiration (MUA) training workshops; invite reproductive justice leaders; facilitate peer learning circles.
Grow Through Training
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at:
Apply to structured abortion training programs:
Build skills in trauma-informed counseling, early pregnancy loss management, and patient education Exhale, Pro-voice. Read RHAP’s Clinician Guide to Trauma-informed Care.
Build skills in trauma-informed counseling, early pregnancy loss management, and patient education Exhale, Pro-voice. Read RHAP’s Clinician Guide to Trauma-informed Care.
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at:
Apply to structured abortion training programs:
Build skills in trauma-informed counseling, early pregnancy loss management, and patient education Exhale, Pro-voice. Read RHAP’s Clinician Guide to Trauma-informed Care.
Flourish in Practice
Even after residency, it’s never too late to get trained or re-trained. Many practicing physicians gain abortion skills later in their careers — often to serve under-resourced areas.
Seek out clinics or telehealth programs offering abortion training and supervision.
Seek out clinics or telehealth programs offering abortion training and supervision.
Advocate for full practice authority and rationalized protocols in restrictive states.
Advocate for full practice authority and rationalized protocols in restrictive states.
Educate colleagues on trauma-informed abortion care and counseling best practices.
Educate colleagues on trauma-informed abortion care and counseling best practices.
If your practice does not provide abortion care, champion adding it to your practice. Reach out to TEACH to learn how.
If your practice does not provide abortion care, champion adding it to your practice. Reach out to TEACH to learn how.
Even after residency, it’s never too late to get trained or re-trained. Many practicing physicians gain abortion skills later in their careers — often to serve under-resourced areas.
Seek out clinics or telehealth programs offering abortion training and supervision.
Advocate for full practice authority and rationalized protocols in restrictive states.
Educate colleagues on trauma-informed abortion care and counseling best practices.
If your practice does not provide abortion care, champion adding it to your practice. Reach out to TEACH to learn how.
Continued Learning
Lead & Advocate
Join or start initiatives advancing NP scope in reproductive health.
Join or start initiatives advancing NP scope in reproductive health.
Contribute to research, policy, and Reproductive Justice (RJ)-aligned leadership fellowships
Contribute to research, policy, and Reproductive Justice (RJ)-aligned leadership fellowships
Apply to leadership programs (e.g., TEACH, Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC)) and present at conferences.
Apply to leadership programs (e.g., TEACH, Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC)) and present at conferences.
Publish or collaborate on studies to advance equitable abortion access.
Publish or collaborate on studies to advance equitable abortion access.
Join your local NP association and encourage them to support abortion training for NPs. Organize SRH and abortion training for members.
Join your local NP association and encourage them to support abortion training for NPs. Organize SRH and abortion training for members.
Join or start initiatives advancing NP scope in reproductive health.
Contribute to research, policy, and Reproductive Justice (RJ)-aligned leadership fellowships
Apply to leadership programs (e.g., TEACH, Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC)) and present at conferences.
Publish or collaborate on studies to advance equitable abortion access.
Join your local NP association and encourage them to support abortion training for NPs. Organize SRH and abortion training for members.
COMMUNITY & NETWORKS
Ask programs:
Where can I gain abortion-inclusive clinical hours?
Where can I gain abortion-inclusive clinical hours?
Are there abortion-trained preceptors?
Are there abortion-trained preceptors?
How are telehealth and early pregnancy loss (EPL) competencies taught?
How are telehealth and early pregnancy loss (EPL) competencies taught?
Stay connected:
Subscribe to NSRH, RHAP, TEACH, NAF, Society of Family Planning (SFP), and state The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) // National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) newsletters.
Subscribe to NSRH, RHAP, TEACH, NAF, Society of Family Planning (SFP), and state The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) // National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) newsletters.
Become member of your favorite professional organization and join a committee.
Become member of your favorite professional organization and join a committee.
Post-graduation next steps:
Apply to Repro TLC, or TEACH fellowships.
Apply to Repro TLC, or TEACH fellowships.
Bring abortion and early pregnancy loss care into your own practice, regardless of specialty.
Bring abortion and early pregnancy loss care into your own practice, regardless of specialty.
Ask programs:
Stay connected:
Subscribe to NSRH, RHAP, TEACH, NAF, Society of Family Planning (SFP), and state The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) // National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) newsletters.
Become member of your favorite professional organization and join a committee.
Post-graduation next steps:
Apply to Repro TLC, or TEACH fellowships.
Bring abortion and early pregnancy loss care into your own practice, regardless of specialty.
Every healthcare provider plays a vital role in ensuring access for patients seeking reproductive health care.
TEACH cultivates the next generation of diverse reproductive health champions through abortion training, mentorship and curriculum development.
TEACH
PO Box 720189
San Francisco, CA 94172
TEACH is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports small organizations like ours.
TIN: 95-4116679
© 2026 TEACH. All rights reserved.
Website by lover studio
TEACH cultivates the next generation of diverse reproductive health champions through abortion training, mentorship and curriculum development.
TEACH
PO Box 720189
San Francisco, CA 94172
TEACH is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports small organizations like ours.
TIN: 95-4116679
© 2026 TEACH. All rights reserved.
Website by lover studio
