Is Being an Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner for You?
If you think you’d thrive in a setting where you can get to know your patients, improve workplace environments, and treat minor injuries, you might make a great occupational health nurse practitioner. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse practitioners have an expanded scope of practice that allows them to function as healthcare providers in employee wellness programs and clinics. Learn more about this role and how to become an occupational health NP.
As a nurse practitioner, occupational health specialization requires training in family medicine and primary care and can allow you to work in any of the following settings:
- Corporate and industrial offices
- Occupational health clinics
- Government agencies
- Hospital employee health departments
- Manufacturing and construction
- Insurance and workers’ compensation companies
- Corporate consulting firms
What Does an Occupational Health NP Do?
While occupational health NP duties vary, their goal is to keep employees healthy and workplaces safe. They are advocates, community leaders, and experts in the business industry they serve. NPs in this setting take on some of the same responsibilities as occupational health nurses, but their expanded scope allows them to order diagnostic tests, refer patients to specialists, prescribe medications, and more.
Below are some examples of the duties this role may entail in different settings:
- Corporate and industrial settings: Run on-site clinics, treat work-related injuries like repetitive strain or chemical exposure, conduct pre-employment physicals, order and interpret drug screenings, perform hearing checks, and manage wellness programs.
- Occupational health clinics: Treat injuries, conduct return-to-work evaluations, advise on occupational diseases, and educate employees on wellness promotion and maintenance.
- Government agencies or insurance companies: Assess workers’ compensation claims, develop workplace safety regulations, and collaborate to create injury prevention guidelines.
- Hospital employee health departments: Ensure that healthcare workers remain fit for duty by overseeing vaccination programs, monitoring for occupational hazards like needlestick injuries, and helping injured staff safely return to work.
- Construction or manufacturing: Conduct jobsite safety assessments, provide first aid for on-the-job injuries, and educate employees on protective equipment.
Essential Skills of an Occupational Health NP
Occupational health nursing combines clinical, education, management, consulting, and case management roles. To be great in this position, you’ll need the following strengths:
- Proactive problem-solving to anticipate potential workplace hazards and address them before they lead to injuries or illness.
- Strong communication to translate medical information into guidance for employees, employers, and regulatory agencies.
- Collaboration and diplomacy to coordinate policies that balance productivity with worker well-being and safety.
- Thinking quickly on your feet when an emergency arises, ensuring that employees get the care they need.
Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner Salary
The average occupational health NP earns about $128,000 per year. The industry you work in, your experience, and any certifications you earn can influence your earning potential. Location can also be a major determining factor in what you make as a nurse. If you’re open to a move, you might want to check out NP roles in the states with highest average income for NPs:
How to Become an Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner: 6 Steps
How long does it take to become an NP who specializes in occupational health? The education and training requirements for this role take at least six years (and likely more). View the steps below to understand what this career path entails, and skip to step three if you’re already an RN.
Step 1: Become an RN
You’ll need to complete either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to qualify for RN licensure. While both degrees allow you to take the NCLEX-RN, many employers prefer applicants with a BSN. Graduate nursing programs also tend to require a bachelor’s degree for entry, although ADN-to-MSN bridge programs can help you to jump straight to advanced practice.
During nursing school, you’ll take essential coursework in anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, and health assessment. You’ll also participate in clinical rotations, during which you may be able to request placement in public or occupational health settings. See our guide on how to become an RN for more information.
Once you graduate from nursing school, you’ll need to register and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to begin working as a nurse. There will also be a state licensing process, likely requiring a fee, background check, and official school transcripts.
Step 2: Gain Experience
Most NP programs require a year or more of hands-on nursing experience to apply. Working as a nurse before going back to school can also help you gain clinical expertise and clarity about the nursing specialty you’re most passionate about. For example, consider roles in the following areas:
- Emergency room (ER) nursing
- Employee health clinics
- Public health nursing
- Community health nursing
- Ambulatory care
- School nursing
Step 3: Attend NP School
To become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. While there is no specific occupational health nurse practitioner degree, NPs in this area tend to choose a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) degree. During your program, seek out clinical experiences in environmental, workplace, and occupational health.
Nurse practitioner programs include advanced training and coursework in the following areas:
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Quality, safety, and effectiveness
- Health care systems and health policy
- Advanced pharmacology
- Advanced health assessment
- Procedures and diagnostics
For a deeper dive into NP education, see our guide on nurse practitioner schooling requirements.
Step 4: Earn Board Certification and State Licensure
After graduating from NP school, you must obtain a national certification that corresponds with your degree track. View the options below:
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Certified (FNP-C): Offered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANCPB), this clinical credential certifies that an NP is prepared to provide primary care services across the lifespan.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC): Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), this credential focuses on adult outpatient care.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP): Offered by the AANPCB, this credential certifies an NP’s ability to provide primary care to adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Depending on where you plan to practice, you’ll need to go through an additional state licensing process to begin practicing. Refer to your state board of nursing for more details.
Step 5: Gain Experience in Occupational Health
Once certified, start working in an occupational health setting to build expertise. On-the-job experience will help you develop skills in workplace safety evaluations, employee wellness initiatives, and regulatory compliance. View the NP jobs on IntelyCare for more information on open roles.
Step 6 (Optional): Obtain Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner Certification
The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) offers two credentials for nurses in the specialty. View the eligibility requirements for each credential below:
- Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN): For nurses working as clinicians, coordinators, advisors, and case managers, this credential requires at least 3,000 hours of work experience within the past 5 years.
- Certified Occupational Health Nurse – Specialist (COHN-S): For nurses working as clinicians, managers, educators, consultants, and case managers, this credential requires at least 3,000 hours of work experience, as well as a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner FAQ
What degree do you need to become an occupational health nurse?
You’ll need at least an ADN to be an RN in occupational health, and many facilities prefer BSN-prepared nurses. Experience in public health nursing, ambulatory care, community health, and other outpatient specialties can be a benefit as well.
Do occupational health NPs have prescriptive authority?
Yes, NPs across specialties can prescribe medications, order tests, and diagnose patients. Some states require supervision from a physician to do so, but in states with full-practice authority, NPs can provide care independently.
Find Roles for Nurse Practitioners
Looking for other opportunities? Whether you’re an occupational health nurse practitioner or seeking work in a different area, we’re here to help you find your next role. Learn more with personalized job notifications that alert you to opportunities that match your skills, schedule, and location.