How to Become a Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses promote community health through education, disease prevention, and high-level analysis of a population’s needs and health concerns. Public health nurses (PHNs) can work with small, rural communities, international populations, or anywhere in between. The steps to become a public health nurse include education, testing, and licensing, after which, nurses have a lot of options. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a nurse, and where to start.

Become a Public Health Nurse in 6 Steps

Public health nursing education provides the knowledge needed to identify health community problems on a large scale and prevent disease. State licensing tells nursing employers they have hired competent professionals, and specialty certifications highlight experts in their field.

Schooling Requirements for Public Health Nurses

Public health nurses can practice with many different levels of education, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an Associate Degree in Nursing, and advanced degrees like an MSN or DNP. However, general healthcare hiring trends favor nurses with a bachelor’s degree.

A survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that over 70% of healthcare employers want new nursing hires to hold a BSN. The National Academy of Medicine announced a goal in 2010 for 80% of RNs to hold a BSN degree by the year 2020. By 2020, at least 65% of nurses held BSN degrees, but in 2023, the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported that number rose above 70%.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a public health nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.

Nurses with an ADN may receive lower pay and not have their first choice of positions compared to PHNs with a BSN. However, the nursing shortage ensures a large pool of work for nurses with ADNs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future nurses a more well-rounded education experience than an ADN. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

A BSN prepares future nurses to handle a high level of care. Where an ADN focuses on quickly preparing future nurses for clinical situations, a BSN adds higher-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, can be earned in as little as two years, but many students continue to work as they study part-time, which will take them longer.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. Nurses who choose to pursue a DNP must choose a specialty before beginning the program. While a DNP is not yet required for public health nursing roles, it does help candidates stand out.

Public Health Nurse Licensing

Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.

NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from an hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.

Public Health Nurse State License Application and Renewal

Each state in the U.S. has a unique public health nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.

In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on public health nurse licensing requirements by state.

Specialty Certification

Public health nurses can earn specialty certification once they have some experience in their specialty. The National Board of Public Health Examiners offers the CPH: Certified in Public Health. Other PHNs may be interested in a National Healthcare Disaster Certification (NHDP-BC) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. These certifications announce public health experience to potential employers and often garner higher compensation.

Where Public Health Nurses Work

Public health nurses can find employment in many settings, even within the same position. For example, PHNs may have an office but visit communities for education and health initiatives. Some common PHN work settings include:

• Health departments (city, county, federal)
• Schools
• Community health centers
• Clinics
• Correctional facilities
• Mobile healthcare units
• Health agencies (like the Food and Drug Administration)
• Mobile units providing healthcare services
• Voluntary organizations (like Doctors Without Borders or the Red Cross)

PHNs can even work for nationwide or international agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

FAQs: How to Become a Public Health Nurse

   1. What education is needed to become a public health nurse?

Public health nurses must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or may pursue advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

   2. How many years does it take to become a public health nurse?

The time it takes to become a public health nurse depends on which degree they pursue, but may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree.

   3. What are the steps to become a PHN?

To become a PHN, aspiring nurses must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps, they may apply for PHN positions and pursue specialty certification and higher education.

   4. How much do public health nurses make an hour?

PHNs make a similar wage to any other registered nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.