Public health nurse

Question: I'm finishing my junior year at USC and will be getting my bachelor's degree in nursing. While I enjoy helping people one-on-one, I find that I'm more interested in helping society as a whole. While I like the stability that a nursing degree promises, I'm confused! Should I change majors this late in the game?
— Gary

Response: There is no need for you to change majors. Under the umbrella of nursing there are many specialties that you could consider. For example, the career of public health nurse might be a good career match for you.

Job Description
Public health nurses (PHNs) focus on improving the overall health of communities. They may be involved in research studies, community assessments and policy development. While they can work in government or private agencies, in Los Angeles County the majority of work is for the Department of Health Services.

PHNs manage a caseload of nursing services for an assigned community area. When a medical problem could be a public health concern, they make home or business visits to evaluate the health status and needs of individuals and families. For example, when a company experienced an outbreak of hepatitis among its employees, a PHN went to the business location, assessed the problem, and recommended solutions.

PHNs also consult with leaders of schools, businesses and other community institutions to evaluate health concerns. They plan and implement community health programs to meet specific health needs. Therefore, public health nurses must have knowledge of federal and state public health polices.

Licensing Requirements
To be a PHN, you must first obtain a registered nurse (RN) license through the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN). Licensing requirements are completion of a board approved registered nursing program and a passing score on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administered National Council Licensure Examination (NCLE). The application fee is $75 and exam fee is $200.

PHNs must also be board certified by the CBRN, which in addition to the RN license, requires coursework in public health nursing. However, an applicant who has completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing automatically meets the public health coursework education requirement.

For more information, contact:

California Board of Registered Nursing

400 R Street, Suite 4030

Sacramento, CA 94244

(916) 322-3350

www.rn.ca.gov

Employment Outlook
Employment prospects are currently above average for both experienced and newly graduated public health nurses. Los Angeles County used to require that public health nurses have from one to two years acute care experience. But given the current nursing shortage, they may be willing to hire public health nurses with no acute/clinical care experience.

Los Angeles County Job Requirements

Department of Health Services

Recruiting and Examining Office

5555 Ferguson Drive

City of Commerce, CA 90022

(323) 890-7924

www.ladhs.org

The requirement for work as a public health nurse with Los Angeles County is possession of a board-issued certificate in public health from the California Board of Registered Nursing. Further, one must pass a written exam and go through an interview with the Department of Health Services.

Professional Association

American Nurse's Association

(800) 923-7709

California Section

1121 L Street, Suite 409

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 447-0225

Fax (916) 442-4394

www.anacalifornia.org

Contact: Tricia Hunter, R.N., Executive Administrator

This is a professional organization that represents Registered Nurses nationwide, including public health nurses. Membership benefits include networking opportunities at national and state conferences, discounts on industry publications, continuing education programs, and an online listing of job openings in nursing. Annual membership dues for new grads are $117 and professional membership dues are $235.

American Public Health Association

800 I Street, NW

Washington DC 20001

(202) 777-2400

www.apha.org

This is a national association of public health professionals including RNs. Student membership is open to those who are full-time students in a health field education program. Membership benefits include industry updates through publications such as American Journal of Public Health and access to an online listing of jobs. Annual student membership dues are $50.
 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.