What Is an Occupational Health Nurse?
Ever wondered who keeps workplaces healthy and safe? That’s the job of occupational health nurses — the frontline defenders of employee wellness. They are specialized healthcare professionals dedicated to promoting and preserving the health, safety, and well-being of employees in the workplace.
You can think of these professionals as guardians of employee welfare, blending medical know-how with corporate knowledge to create a safe, thriving work environment that benefits both individuals and businesses. If the idea of becoming an occupational health nurse sparks your interest, this article has everything you need — responsibilities of this role, salary expectations, and steps you need to take to join this specialty.
What Is Occupational Health?
Occupational health is the branch of community healthcare dedicated to creating a safe environment in the workplace. Occupational health professionals work to identify and mitigate occupational hazards, promote a safe and healthy work environment, and address health-related issues that may arise in the workplace. The goal is to ensure that employees can carry out their job duties efficiently, all while minimizing the likelihood of injuries, illnesses, or any adverse health effects associated with their jobs.
Occupational Health Nurse Duties and Responsibilities
Occupational health nurses can work in a variety of settings. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the specific industry and workplace, but generally include:
- Health promotion: Designing and implementing health promotion programs to enhance employee well-being.
- Injury and illness prevention: Identifying workplace hazards and developing and implementing safety protocols.
- Case management: Managing and documenting cases of work-related injuries or illnesses.
- Health education: Offering education and training on health and safety topics for employees.
- Workplace accommodation: Collaborating with employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with health-related needs.
- Policy development: Contributing to the development of health and safety policies.
- Immunizations and health surveillance: Administering and tracking employee immunizations and conducting health surveillance programs for exposure to occupational hazards.
- Emergency response planning: Developing and implementing emergency response plans.
- Record keeping: Maintaining accurate documentation and health records for employees.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration: Working closely with other healthcare professionals, safety officers, and human resources administrators to address occupational health issues.
Where Do Occupational Health Nurses Work?
Essential to the foundation of workplace health, occupational nurses find employment in diverse settings. Some common places where they work include:
- Healthcare institutions
- Correctional facilities
- Government agencies
- Educational institutions
- Construction sites
- Oil and gas industry
- Mining industry
- Corporate offices and businesses
- Manufacturing and industrial facilities
- Consulting firms
How to Become an Occupational Health Nurse
Becoming an occupational nurse involves a combination of education, clinical experience, and professional certification. Here are the general steps to enter this specialty:
1. Get a Nursing Degree
Obtain a nursing degree — either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) — from an accredited nursing program. Generally, nurses starting their careers in occupational health hold a BSN degree.
2. Obtain a License
The next step after completing your nursing program is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).
3. Gain Experience
Acquire clinical experience as a registered nurse. Working in a community health, ambulatory care, or acute care setting will provide valuable experience relevant to the field.
4. Pursue Additional Education
Some nurses choose to complete a certification program or earn a master’s degree in areas such as public health, business, or healthcare management, among other alternatives, to continually develop their professional skills.
5. Get an Occupational Health Nurse Certification
Attain a certification from the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) or other relevant certifying bodies. Two common options include Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) and Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S). To qualify, gain at least 3,000 hours of occupational health experience in the past five years and pass the exam.
6. Join Professional Organizations
As an optional step, you can consider joining professional organizations, such as the ABOHN to stay updated on industry trends, attend conferences, and network with other professionals in the field.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Occupational Nurse?
It typically takes around five to eight years to join the ranks of occupational health nurses. This time includes education, licensure, work experience, extra training, and certification. Keep in mind that individual timelines may vary depending on the chosen educational path and the pace at which a person completes all the required steps of the process.
The quickest way to become a nurse is by completing an associate degree, which may take as little as 16 months. However, a bachelor’s degree may be required to work in occupational health settings at certain institutions.
Occupational Health Nurse Skills to Develop
Being a good occupational nurse requires a combination of clinical expertise, interpersonal skills, and a commitment to promoting a safe and healthy work environment. These skills empower occupational health nurses to create and maintain a healthy, safe, and supportive work environment:
- Leadership and management
- Teaching proficiency
- Legal and regulatory knowledge
- Familiarity with relevant technology and tools
- Proficiency in structuring and managing data
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Cultural competence
- Compassion and empathy
- Adaptability and flexibility
What Is a Typical Occupational Health Nurse Salary?
In the U.S., the average occupational health nurse salary is $90,685 per year, with the typical salary range between $79,056 and $100,796. Just keep in mind that your income can vary widely depending on your education, certifications, skills, location, and years of experience.
If you are open to relocation, here are five states with some of the highest nurse salaries:
Nursing Job Outlook
Registered nurses, including those in occupational health, are expected to be in demand in the coming years. Employment for this role is projected to grow 6% in the next decade — faster than the average for all other occupations. Each year, there will be approximately 193,100 new RN job opportunities opening up.
Interested in Finding a New Job?
Thrilled about the idea of becoming an occupational health nurse? It’s time to take action. IntelyCare is your go-to resource for matching you with nursing jobs in your preferred specialty, so you can gain the experience you need and build the career you want.