by pro_student_2010

Has anyone obtained advanced certification in public health (through ANCC unless there is another certifying organization I don't know of)? It seems to me that there is more ambiguity between public health nursing and advanced public health nursing. For those of you with either certification and/or advanced education (MSN or MPH) in public health nursing, did your added credentials get you farther in the field? Were you able to get higher level positions or have more responsibilities? In general, does an MSN or an MPH seem to be more beneficial? Would any of you consider the advanced certification now that its available with an MPH and not just an MSN?

Re: Advanced Public Health Nurse Certification

I'm an ANCC board certified clinical nurse specialist in Community/Public health nursing (credentialed prior to the 5/2008 change). I chose the MSN over MPH route to keep my options open primarily for academia. Having the MSN was beneficial salary wise, and also opened doors to other positions. Board certification validates your expertise and resulted in a salary adjustment increase with my employer as well. I think most employers are still unsure of what certification means...most know what an NP can do, but CNS or CNL are foreign concepts. I haven't seen many positions in public health nursing that specifically ask for a masters prepared nurse over a bachelors level for hiring...especially at the county or local level health departments. Depending on what your career focus is should determine whether to pursue a MSN or a MPH. Why not consider both as there are several good graduate programs out there offering a dual track concentration?

Re: Advanced Public Health Nurse Certification

I am about to graduate with the MPH in December, but I am also working on the MSN so I can someday teach PHN. I am also interested in the APHN-BC certification, and plan to take the exam at some point after receiving my MPH degree. For those of you who were certified prior to the recent ANCC changes, how was your testing experience? How was the level of difficulty for the exam? How did you prepare for the exam? Any information would be appreciated.