[warmrain]

Hi everyone,
I am a current nursing student who will be graduating in December with my BSN. After I get some practical experience I would like to get a double MSN in public health/epidemiology nursing from Emory in Atlanta. Has anyone ever worked in the military in this nursing field? If so what was it like? Has anyone worked for places like the CDC? I am really interested in getting into this field and any advice or experiences would be highly appreciated! Thanks!
Marcie

[traumaRUs]

I attended a conference a few years ago and one of the speakers was from the CDC. She was exceedingly interesting to hear. You might look up the CDC and see who you can contact. Sounds interesting. Good luck.

[warmrain]

Thanks for the advice traumaRUs! I will definitely look into it.
Marcie

[labcat01]

I know a lot of people who have worked for the CDC at one time or another. Some people have really interesting experiences and some people are shipped off to less desireable places. What are you specifically interested in? Maybe I can give you some advice,websites, etc.

[warmrain]

labcat01 thanks for the info. I read an article on nurseweek.com about a nurse epidemiologists who works as epidemic intelligence officer for the CDC and trakcs disease outbreaks, assessing trends, tring to find the cause and developing interventions. This is something I find interesting and would like to get into. I am looking for my best options to accomplish this. From what you said the CDC sounds kinda like the military in relocating people.

[labcat01]

Yes...the EIS (Epidemic intelligence service) is a bit like that. I think you spend 6 months- a year in Atlanta and then they ship you off to the "field" to work on a special project. The "Term" of an EIS officer is only two years so where ever they sent you it would only be for a year...but once you are done you would be highly employable in other public health settings.

For nurses they want you to have at least an M.P.H. but just to give you fair warning it seems like they mostly only accept doctorally preprepared people (MDs, DVMs, PhDs). Here is a good website for you: http://www.cdc.gov/eis

Don't limit yourself to just the CDC though! Lots of organizations do outbreak investigations. Check out this website for interesting jobs and see what they want.. http://cfusion.sph.emory.edu/PHEC/phec.cfm

Good luck!

[warmrain]

Wow! Thanks again for the information! I will definetly check out the web sites. Good Luck with your own life path!

[BSNinTX]

Might I suggest that you check out the US Public Health Service? It is a federal, uniformed service. Pay and benefits as other military services. Their specialty is public health, and they staff CDC, EPA, the Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Services, others. They may be just what you are looking for. Epi is one of their primary fields.

www.usphs.gov

Originally Posted by warmrain

Hi everyone,
I am a current nursing student who will be graduating in December with my BSN. After I get some practical experience I would like to get a double MSN in public health/epidemiology nursing from Emory in Atlanta. Has anyone ever worked in the military in this nursing field? If so what was it like? Has anyone worked for places like the CDC? I am really interested in getting into this field and any advice or experiences would be highly appreciated! Thanks!
Marcie

[prmenrs]

If I'm not mistaken, Emory is very close to CDC. Getting your MS there would be a great thing to do!

I agree w/looking into the USPHS. Good Luck.

http://phs-nurse.org/ This is the nursing site.

[warmrain]

Thanks for the advice and info!