How to Become a Public Health Nurse

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A public health nurse analyzes assessment data while talking on the phone.

As a public health nurse, you won’t care for individual patients at the bedside — you’ll be shaping the health of entire communities. Instead of treating individual diseases, you’ll address what causes them, like air pollution, socioeconomic disparities, and gaps in healthcare access. Instead of performing head-to-toe assessments, you’ll assess neighborhoods and populations, identifying threats to their health and well-being.

If the idea of improving lives on a grand scale excites you, public health nursing could be a great fit. This article is your step-by-step guide on how to enter this meaningful specialty, including education, licensure, salaries, and work opportunities.

Public Health Nurse: Career Snapshot

  • Mission: Protect the health of the public through prevention, education, and policy reform.
  • Responsibilities: Conduct community health assessments, identify public health concerns, and assist in emergency preparedness and response.
  • Workplace settings: Public health departments, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community health centers
  • Career path: Nursing degree, followed by optional certification or an advanced degree
  • Length of study: Approximately 4 years

What Is Public Health Nursing?

Public health nurses apply knowledge from nursing and social sciences to safeguard community health. They focus on reducing barriers to care, promoting health, and preventing diseases and disabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, they played a crucial role in testing, contact tracing, and educating the public on safety measures.

Wondering what a day in the life of a public health nurse looks like? Public health nurse roles and responsibilities include various tasks, including the following:

Responsibilities Examples of tasks
Community health assessments and data collection
  • Conduct research to identify prevalent health concerns, such as high diabetes rates or infant mortality.
  • Collaborate with epidemiologists to track disease outbreaks and environmental health hazards.
Disease prevention and control
  • Organize vaccination clinics for flu, COVID-19, and childhood immunizations.
  • Educate the public on hand hygiene, food safety, and infection control.
Health education and outreach
  • Lead educational workshops on topics like smoking cessation and prenatal care.
  • Host community events to raise awareness about chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
Addressing social determinants of health
  • Work with social workers to connect low-income families with healthcare resources.
  • Address housing conditions, such as mold exposure.
Emergency preparedness and disaster response
  • Assist in mass vaccination efforts during pandemics.
  • Provide aid during natural disasters, such as setting up emergency medical shelters after hurricanes.
Policy advocacy and public health reform
  • Advocate for funding to expand community health programs.
  • Participate in city council meetings to push for safer environmental practices.

Where Do Public Health Nurses Work?

Public health nursing isn’t a desk job — it’s a hands-on career where you’ll assess community needs, visit different healthcare sites, and sometimes even take international travel assignments. Here’s where you might find these professionals making an impact:

How to Become a Public Health Nurse

To step into this rewarding field, you’ll need a blend of education, certification, and hands-on training. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

1. Get a Nursing Degree

Your first important milestone is to earn a nursing degree from an accredited nursing program. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can be completed in about two years, making it the fastest route, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree takes around four years.

Whichever path you choose, you’ll dive into essential subjects like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, while gaining hands-on experience through clinical rotations across various nursing specialties — building the strong foundation you need for your career.

Want to set yourself apart? Consider adding a public health minor to your nursing degree. Studying nursing and public health equips you to address both individual patient needs and broader community health challenges.

2. Obtain Licensure

Once you’ve earned your nursing degree, the next step is becoming a licensed registered nurse (RN). This means passing the NCLEX-RN — a standardized exam that tests your nursing knowledge and clinical decision-making. Once you pass, you’ll officially be a licensed RN, ready to enter the workforce and make a difference.

3. Gain Experience

Public health nursing requires a strong foundation in patient care and community health, so gaining experience is essential. Many nurses start by working in general healthcare settings, like med-surg and progressive care, to develop solid knowledge and skills in patient assessment, disease prevention, and health education. If you’re eager to dive into the specialty early, look for entry-level public health roles or volunteer with organizations focused on community health.

Want to work for a national or international organization? Check out these organizations for potential opportunities:

  • American Red Cross
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • International Health Organization (IHO)
  • International Medical Corps (IMC)
  • National Public Health Association (APHA)
  • Nurses Beyond Borders (NBB)
  • United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

If you prefer to focus on the health of your local community, consider getting involved with your state’s health department or local organizations dedicated to tackling health issues in your area.

4. Attain Public Health Nurse Certification

Obtaining specialized certification in public health can help you stand out in this field. It demonstrates to employers and clients that you’re not just a skilled nurse, but also a public health expert equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge on the latest care standards and practices. Here are some certification options to consider:

  • The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) offers the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential.
  • The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) continues to offer the renewal option for the Public Health Nurse Certification (PHN-BC) credential.
  • The Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) credential is offered by the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE).

5. Pursue an Advanced Public Health Nurse Degree

Advancing your education can unlock a range of exciting career opportunities, from conducting research to influencing health policy or even teaching future public health professionals. Here are the top three advanced degrees commonly pursued for public health roles:

It’s important to note that for high-level roles at international organizations like the United Nations (UN), an advanced degree is often a key requirement for consideration.

Public Health Nurse Salary

Expect to earn an average of $72,000 a year, though your public health nurse salary can range from $65,000 to $81,000. Your pay is influenced by your level of experience, education, certifications, and geographic region.

Open to new locations? These high-paying states for RNs are worth considering for your next career move:

Frequently Asked Questions about Public Health Nursing

What are the biggest challenges in public health nursing?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlights major health challenges affecting millions worldwide, straining both individuals and healthcare systems. Here’s a look at some of the most pressing health concerns:

  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Cancer
  • Opioid addiction
  • Infectious diseases
  • Diabetes

In addition to health challenges, you’ll address social and environmental issues. Here are four key social challenges requiring attention:

  • Sexual and reproductive health emergency
  • Threats of endemic infectious disease
  • Mental health and psychosocial support gaps
  • Catastrophic health expenses and the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) shortfalls

What is the career outlook for nurses in this field?

The demand for registered nurses, including those in public health, is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade, outpacing the average for all occupations. Every year, around 194,500 nursing jobs are expected to open up.

What are some helpful organizations for public health nurses?

If you’re a public health nurse (or aspiring to be one), these organizations can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, job postings, and continuing education:

What is job satisfaction like for nurses working in public health settings?

A report from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) noted a decline in job satisfaction among nurses in various settings, including public health. Another study published in the International Journal of Public Health highlights that factors such as workload, long hours, and mandatory overtime negatively affect nurse job satisfaction.

Start a Public Health Nurse Career Today

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