Careers in Public Health Nursing

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION defines public health nursing as the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences. The core focus of the public health nursing practice focuses on promoting health and preventing disease and disability. These specialized nurses are, in essence, responsible for ensuring the health of the whole nation. While most nurses care for one patient at a time, public health nurses (PHNs) care for entire populations. By working with whole communities, they are able to educate people about health issues, improve community health and safety, and increase access to care. Public health nurses work on the front lines to promote and improve health. Instead of being stationed in a hospital, PHNs reach out to people in the community. This allows them to assess their environment, available resources, and potential healthcare needs. By serving individuals and families in their own environment, they are able to provide care for those who may not be able to obtain healthcare services by other means. In group settings such as community centers or work¬places, they stop the spread of disease, prevent injury, and ward off illness through education and direct intervention. They also keep people safer by helping them prepare for natural disasters.PHNs work in a variety of settings such as health departments, schools, homes, community health centers, clinics, correctional facilities, work sites, and out of mobile vans. Where they work often determines their roles and responsibilities. For example, a PHN working in a community health clinic might provide immunizations and medical treatments, manage wellness clinics, and help people dealing with violence, pregnancy, or substance abuse. Within a government agency, the work would involve researching potential health epidemics and how to mitigate them. In a remote village in an undeveloped country, a PHN would work to slow a pandemic or reduce infant mortality through education. Public health nursing is generally considered a specialized field of registered nursing, which usually means a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is required. Because there is a nursing shortage that shows no signs of letting up, it is possible to start with a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that is available at most community colleges. About half of all public health nurses enter the profession with an ADN, but nearly all eventually obtain a BSN because it is needed to qualify for jobs with more responsibility, advancement opportunities, and higher salaries. Many employers help their nurses obtain a BSN, offering tuition assistance and flexible scheduling so these nurses can continue to work while going back to school. Entry-level public health nurses start out earning on average $50,000 a year. After a few years of experience and earning a BSN, the average rises to $70,000. There are other nursing fields that offer higher pay, but none provides greater overall job satisfaction. In addition to the opportunity to improve the lives of great numbers of people, PHNs enjoy great benefits packages, exceptional autonomy, normal working hours, and good work/life balance. Plus, they can count on job security since robust job growth is expected, with more public health nurses needed each year for the foreseeable future. Nurses have many options, but if you want a broader, fuller life, public health nursing can be a great choice.