Becoming a Community Health Nurse

separate/different from community health

Note that the specialty threads here are combined! And yet the fields are so different.

I'm a community health nurse. My state requires a BSN minimum for both CH and PH. I'm now grandmothered in with my BSN but the last 20 hired in my state all had MSNs. In my role I plan for a large population (the entire state) and I also work 1:1 with residents and their families. It was a field I always wanted to get into. Jobs are often not easy to find or people (like me) sit in them for a career.

I have a great schedule....4 ten hour days, no weekends...and very enjoyable work. It is the most independent role I've ever had in nursing, something I craved. It took me many years to find this job...I interviewed for many similar jobs until I got this one. Patience helps as does a long view of being aware of all government jobs in your field.

So, what services do you provide? You cover the whole state ... what state? Those similarities that you mention are part of the problem with defining PHNs. Depending on where you are there can be many overlaps in services ... even within one state. For example, jail nurses are part of the public health system on the west side of the state but here on the east side they are county employees and the Public Health Nurses are employed by an independent Public Health District that is overseen by the Board of Health .... an 11 member panel made up of mostly politicians. The one universal is the total lack of funding. The erosion of services performed by PHNs are also a fairly constant theme.

I had 8 months post partum experience and I have been working as a PHN for about 3 months now. I have a BSN. It depends on the state, but most require a BSN. I have been hired into a supervisor's role. It's interesting to say the least. I work for the state. My closest RN in the same role I am in is 1 hr away and I am in charge of 5 people. I live in a very rural area. Check state websites for job postings. Some health depts are county or city run, so check those websites too for job openings.

A BSN is required for both Community Health Nurse and School Nurse positions. However, you only need your ADN or Diploma to work in the health department clinics.

This info helped

Hello all,

I am interested in working for the community and being involved in public health as I love the education/prevention aspects of nursing. I am a new grad rn (bsn), looking forward to pursue either a msn/mph degree or a whnp. I would love to combine both but don't know if I really want to spend all that time in school. I am looking forward to working in a clinic setting. I would also love to work as a nurse internationally (public health) but focusing more on women and children(whnp) who do not have access to health care. What do you think? Should I pursue the msn/mph in hopes of landing in an ob/gyn/women's clinic or involved in a maternal-child health program, or should i pursue the whnp and work in clinics in the community?? So confused...any help would be appreciated!

Ria21,

I am in the same position. I'm currently in an ADN program but have a BA in Social Services/Sociology and have worked as a Medicaid worker for the last 6 years. I love public health. Bedside nursing is not for me (my bad back doesn't help either)! I would like to work in women's health but an unsure if I should do a dual degree program that's local here, WHNP/MPH. I'm really tired of school but it's so what I want to do. Or should I just pursue the MPH and remain a RN (or get BSN). Hopefully the light will come on for us soon! Best Wishes.

Good luck guys!!!!! hope it all works out well!!!!!!!!

Soso, I really think that you should go for the WHNP/MPH program if that's what you really want to do! If I could find a program like that here in ny, i'd jump at the chance! I say go for it!!!

Thanks, itshanrtym!!!!!!!

YOUR WELCOME!!!!!!!!!

It's nice to know that ya'll are in the same boat. I've worked as a pediatric nurse for about a year now and I've recently become disillusioned with nursing in a hospital setting. I've always had an interest in public health, but I've been too afraid to pursue further career options. I really like the education and prevention side of nursing as well and am thinking about going back to school to pursue my master's in public health/public health nursing. I was even considering even giving up nursing as a career in general but you guys have helped me realize that I really do want to become a community/public nurse and help others, especially children, in that way. Everything you have described is what I feel or am interested in. Do you think I should work on going back to school and also begin my search for a public health job? Or should I kind a new job then get my master's? I'm not sure how long I want to stay at my job right now and obviously I'm scared to quit my job, but I don't really know what's best for me right now. Any advice?