The Washington University Urology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship aims to prepare nurse practitioners for successful careers in the growing field of urology.

The inclusion of nurse practitioners in urologic practices has become increasingly common, but no standardized training is available to prepare NPs for entering this specialty. This has historically meant NPs focusing on urology underwent extensive on-the-job training.

Since 2012, the Division of Urologic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis has offered a 12-month post-graduate urology nurse practitioner fellowship at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. This is a paid fellowship offering full benefits. After graduation, the fellow is encouraged to apply to any open job positions that meet their interests.

The mission of this fellowship is to provide experience in the NP role within urology practice and equip NPs with the skills needed to enter the urologic specialty.

Eligibility

Nurse practitioner students who are interested in careers in urology are encouraged to consider this fellowship program. Entrance criteria for the fellowship includes:

  1. Candidates should be a recent graduate from an accredited NP program.
  2. Applicants should be eligible to work as an NP in the United States.
  3. Candidates should intend to take the appropriate certification examination and obtain a state license within two months of entering the fellowship.
  4. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from the director of the nurse practitioner program.
Urology team reviewing imaging on computer screen

Goals

The main objectives of the fellowship are to provide experience in every aspect of the NP role within a urology setting, equip NPs with the competencies needed to enter urologic practice, and provide appropriate experience caring for urologic patients.

Clinical and didactic teachings promote dynamic learning, and fellows are placed in a wide variety of clinical and collaborative settings, attend a multitude of topical conferences, and engage with active urological physicians.

Upon completion of the fellowship, participants should have accrued practical urology experience and possess the skills necessary to transition into practice. Ultimately, the program aims to improve fellow knowledge, ability to treat urologic conditions, competently care for patients and be more competitive to employers of urologic medicine.

Fellowship Experience

The fellowship takes place at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital academic centers in St. Louis, Missouri. The fellowship takes place over 12 months and includes various roles and activities focused on urologic medicine.

The first six months are intended to broaden the fellow’s understanding and ability to treat common urologic diseases, such as urinary stone disease, overactive bladder (OAB), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urologic cancers, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic pelvic pain and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Fellows also learn to perform and assist with minor office procedures.

The next three months focus on in-patient and perioperative areas, including post-operative, complication and discharge assessments. The final three months are spent doing independent practice.

Fellows are involved in a multitude of valuable roles and professional growth opportunities, including:

  • Clinical settings for inpatient, outpatient, and peri-operative care
  • Weekly conferences with the urology faculty and residents to discuss current controversies in urology
  • Case presentations
  • Morbidity and mortality conferences
  • Visiting professor lectures
  • Monthly journal club
  • Professional conference attendance
  • Meetings with the fellowship director to provide feedback
Urology team in operating room with surgical robot

How to Apply

The program typically begins accepting applications in May. One applicant will be chosen as a participating fellow each year. Please check back on May 1, 2023 for a link to the fellowship application.

Contact

For more information about the program, contact us via email. Please indicate fellowship inquiry in the subject line: gmcomola@wustl.edu