Public Health Registered Nurse Career Overview
What is a Public Health Nurse?
A public health nurse, or PHN, is a registered nurse who focuses on improving the health of a community or population. PHNs combine their knowledge of nursing, epidemiology, and systems of care to promote health and safety and reduce injuries and disease. A PHN may work with individuals, families, hospitals, or health departments to assess their needs and make recommendations.
PHNs may identify a common community health concern, like substance abuse, poor nutrition, or access to clean water. Then, PHNs design and implement outreach programs to address the problem and improve the health of that community. Other public health nurses may lead teams that analyze data and create health promotion programs for a specific population. PHNs can work in communities of varying sizes, from the smallest rural groups to global health populations.
What Does a Public Health Nurse Do?
PHN assignments may vary by employer, but all PHNs attempt to connect with their community to understand healthcare needs and discover solutions. PHNs must communicate effectively and respectfully with patients and other providers. To accurately assess needs and implement programs, a PHN must be trusted by the community they are serving. Daily tasks of a PHN may include:
- Interviewing patients for health and social histories
- Educating patients and families in a group setting
- Connecting patients to community resources
- Providing patient care in medically underserved areas
- Analyzing data to identify trends and potential risks
- Designing educational or outreach programs with targeted health goals
- Establishing and maintaining immunization or environmental safety efforts
- Collaborating with other local organizations to implement programs
- Assessing the effectiveness of programs through data collection and analysis
- Deciding how to utilize limited resources or funding
- Advocating for underserved populations
How Much Does a Public Health Nurse Make Per Year?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not share pay differences between nursing specialties, but the median pay for registered nurses (RNs) was $75,330 a year in 2020, which is just over $36 per hour. The median pay represents the middle: half of RNs earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The BLS projects registered nurse employment to increase by 9% percent from 2020 to 2030, indicating job security in the field of nursing.
According to indeed.com, some of the top-paying companies for PHN positions include county and state public health departments and federal government organizations. For example, the average salary of a PHN at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is $103,223. In the United States, it is common for the government to pay registered nurses more and offer better benefits than their private sector counterparts. Public health nurses may find pay levels differ considerably between government positions and those in medically underserved areas or at nonprofit organizations.
Where and When Do Public Health Nurses Work?
PHNs often work in their community through a public health department, government office, school, or outreach agency. Nonprofit organizations, international health agencies, and the U.S. military also employ public health nurses. Some PHNs may work within a hospital network to connect patients to resources in the community. But unlike most registered nurses, PHNs do not care for patients needing immediate or life-saving interventions.
Public health nurses employed in an office or clinic can usually anticipate regular office hours. Evenings, weekends, and holidays may not be required. During program implementation or outreach programs, PHNs may be required to work in the evenings or weekends in order to meet with community members. PHNs working in crisis outreach, such as during family emergencies or natural disasters, may have more unpredictable schedules and require on-call hours. Public health nurses have a wide range of employment opportunities to explore.
How Do I Become A Public Health Nurse?
The first step to pursuing a career in public health nursing is to graduate from a collegiate nursing program. A bachelor’s or associate’s degree in nursing must be obtained and can be completed in as little as 18 months. The most competitive applicants entering nursing have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which is usually completed over four years. Upon graduation, an aspiring nurse will take the national NCLEX-RN examination to become an RN. Then, an RN must apply to the state board of nursing where they wish to work.
New nurses wishing to pursue a public health career may be able to seek public health experiences immediately after starting work as an RN by volunteering or joining a community program. However, employers usually require multiple years of patient care experience for applicants interested in public health positions. Refining nursing skills through years of patient interactions helps future PHNs better communicate and problem-solve with individuals. PHNs can then take these skills and apply them at a population level.
There are currently no nursing-specific public health credentials. However, some PHNs may be eligible to earn a CPH (Certified in Public Health) recognition. CPH credentials demonstrate knowledge of public health principles, commitment to ongoing education, and an opportunity to be recognized as a professional PHN. In brief, the requirements to take the computerized CPH exam include one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree (from any field) and five years of public health work experience OR
- A graduate degree (in a relevant field) and three years of public health work experience OR
- A graduate certificate in public health and three years of public health work experience.
The exam is 200 questions in length, costs over $300, and is conducted by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. The exam is considered to be voluntary in nearly all careers. CPH certification is currently the only option for PHNs seeking nationally-recognized credentials in their field.
What Are the Benefits of Being A Public Health Nurse?
Public health nurses have the unique ability to translate individual nursing skills into interventions that guide entire communities and populations toward healthier lives. Using data to assess program effectiveness enables PHNs to see firsthand the amount of change they are creating and the number of people they are helping. PHNs also work directly with the community members they serve, allowing them to connect with patients, not just population data. Nursing professionals interested in making a big impact and connecting with patients directly will find public health nursing very rewarding.
