Public Health Nursing in Practice
Is public health nursing the career for you?
The Basics
What you'll do: You'll promote prevention of illness and injury by educating the public on health practices that help stop disease and maintain safe home and work environments by relying on your medical expertise as well as research, communication and intervention.
Where you'll work: In underserved or poor communities, you'll provide immunizations and treatment; with government organizations you'll research potential health epidemics and how to mitigate them; or with community programs, you'll assist people dealing with social violence, teen pregnancy or substance abuse. Some public health nurses travel to businesses to provide medical care or perform inspections. Others work in schools or patient homes.
Degree you'll need: Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) and registered nurse license
Average annual salary: $64,690*
Cities with highest employment level: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Dallas
Job Responsibilities
With disease prevention and safety as a key goal, public health nursing professionals carry out a number of duties that can vary based on work environment. As an example, they might focus on developing education programs that teach people how to eat healthier, stop smoking or address other issues that can help them live longer. Other duties might include the following:
- Identify and treat patients for health problems afflicting their community
- Administer immunizations to children in poor communities who cannot afford to go to a health care facility
- Connect poor or underserved communities with health care services
- Inspect workplaces for safety risks and devise plans to help increase the overall safety and health of workers
- Create emergency plans that minimize dangers in the wake of natural disasters
Education
To work in public health nursing usually requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a registered nursing license. Master's programs typically involve two years of study beyond your four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. With the high demand for nursing professionals across the country, many nursing schools are offering online master's and bachelor's degree programs to help accelerate your time to degree and get you started in nursing practice as soon as possible.
Because of the diverse work involved in public health nursing, students in a master's-level public health nursing program can expect to take a variety of health care courses, including biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology and behavioral sciences. After you have gained two years of experience in public health nursing practice, you can become certified in your field. Although not required, certification can increase your chances of getting a job and receiving promotions.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data published March 27, 2012; Registered Nurses.
*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.
Education & Career Guide
Public Health Job Description
Learn about the wide variety of public health jobs.
Choose a Degree
Which public health degree is right for you? Find out.
Job Outlook
Read about the future of the public health field.
Salary Information
Find out what to expect in a public health career salary.
Getting Your Degree Online
Discover the benefits of earning a public health degree online.
Health and Safety Achievements
Read about the top 10 achievements in public health in the 20th century.
Public Health Nursing
Combine your interest in public health with a nursing career.
History of the U.S. Public Health Service
Learn how public health service started in the U.S.
News & Headlines
Find out how public health jobs relate to real-world events.
Did You Know?
- National Public Health Week is celebrated each year in early April.
- The World Health Organization, the international public health organization run by the United Nations, was founded on April 7, 1948.