Can new grads start out as public health nurses?

My Health Department told me that they sometimes waive the 1 year of experience requirement, based on other factors. Having a BSN will help.

I just got my first nursing job at the county health department. I talked a lot about my previous volunteer experience, but I think the reason they offered me the job was because I really do love public health and that came across pretty clearly. Also--the fact that my county health department hasn't hired a brand new grad in "years and years and years" maybe had something to do with it--like maybe there are more people to precept me?

My boss told me today that she thinks new grads make up for a lack of experience with a profound ability to pick new things up quickly. So I'm not sure that having experience matters that much if you are open-minded and enthusiastic.

It probably depends on the health authority's policies, but it is possible! I did my final preceptorship in a public health unit and then got hired on as a new grad. They originally told me that they don't hire new grads, but I took additional courses related to public health, took on every opportunity available while I was a student, and practically begged for an interview. It ended up working in my favour!

(I'm in western Canada, if that makes any difference to you.)

It probably depends on the health authority's policies, but it is possible! I did my final preceptorship in a public health unit and then got hired on as a new grad. They originally told me that they don't hire new grads, but I took additional courses related to public health, took on every opportunity available while I was a student, and practically begged for an interview. It ended up working in my favour!

(I'm in western Canada, if that makes any difference to you.)

Hi orangecampino,

I looked at your history and saw you're from Vancouver as well! Just wondering if you could shed some insight into your public health experience for final practicum. I am also considering selecting public health for mine, but I'm worried about the possibility of not getting hired afterwards (and thus being at a disadvantage when going to find a job at the hospital). I've also heard that a lot of public health preceptorships are more observational than actually taking on the role of the nurse - did you find this?

Thank you for your help! :)

Hi jasn,

Congrats on heading into your final practicum!

I had a fantastic experience with my preceptorship in public health. I was lucky, because my two preceptors were very willing to provide learning opportunities for me. I found that there was a lot more observation/shadowing than I had expected, especially in the first few weeks of my preceptorship. However, by the end of my preceptorship, I was definitely taking on the role of the public health nurse in some areas (ie. baby visits, developmental screening, leading parent-infant groups), although I was never allowed to practice independently without a nurse observing me. I also had the opportunity to do a lot of adult immunizations (hello influenza season!), but not infant/child immunizations, as this required an immunization certification. One thing that I appreciated about "taking it slow" was that there was a LOT of support as I transitioned from student to new grad to public health nurse, and it helped me feel confident and comfortable in my role.

However, we've only had one preceptorship student since I've been working at my unit, and she did not get much hands-on experience. I don't know if it's because the timing of opportunities didn't work out, or because she didn't feel confident, or whatever else... but I think she was a little disappointed at the end because she was still in the observational stage. I think you have to be really keen and push for experiences if you want to get the most out of your preceptorship.

I'm not sure about the job opportunities in public health right now. I know the job market has been not great recently, but it looks like it's getting better! I have seen a number of postings for public health positions recently, but I know each posting gets a lot of applicants.

I felt the same way about being at a disadvantage for getting a hospital job, but I'm so glad I risked doing my preceptorship in public health. I'm not sure I would have been able to get into it otherwise. I get the impression that public health managers/educators don't like to hire nurses who don't have public health experience, because the training period is so extensive (at least 3 months) and they like to know that the nurse understands the concepts of public health as opposed to task-based nursing. The other areas that most of my colleagues have transitioned from are: pediatrics, postpartum, L&D, NICU, or another area of public health (such as Insite). Those nurses have a lot of great past nursing experience that can come in handy, but I don't think it is necessary to have a background in hospital nursing to be a great public health nurse (but of course I'm a little biased)!

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions, and good luck! :)

You may be able to, but honestly I would really think about it first. Volunteer experience is critical and it depends on the role you are accepting. Home visits? I'd be nervous. Since you are doing a post-bac, maybe you have some good relevant life experience that would help. Public health is a whole lotta gray and requires you to be nurse, counselor, social worker, cop and teacher at the same time. I hate *hatehatehate* to be that person but as much as a did not enjoy hospital nursing it taught me a lot, and I'm glad I have it on my resume in case I burn out on public health or decide I want to work 3 12's again or whatever else might come up. So, I'm going to say it. I think some med-surg experience first is good Can't believe I did that. Don't ever tell my past self.

Just started today with my local health dept as the Mother and Infant Nurse. The problem is the person training me is the STD and FP nurse so she just filled in on my job and really has no idea what my job entails completely other than to get by. If there are any other M&I nurses out there, can you describe your routine in the day from the time you walk in until you walk out of the clinic? I have one appt on schedule tomorrow, so I know I'll be cross training on immunizations, at some point HIV, school assessments, etc. I need to get my foothold on this because it's a good job, but I am overwhelmed with where to start and how to do it all. Thanks!

I am not familiar with the term mother and Infant nurse. Are you doing newborn/postpartum homevisits or case managerment like nurse/family partnership? I do the NB/PP home visits and I do case management and I would be glad to help you and explain some things be I need a little more info. BTW, it took me about 6 month to get my footing in Public Health. I was a little lost because it is a totally different kind of nursing, but I LOVE IT!!!

It probably depends on the health authority's policies, but it is possible! I did my final preceptorship in a public health unit and then got hired on as a new grad. They originally told me that they don't hire new grads, but I took additional courses related to public health, took on every opportunity available while I was a student, and practically begged for an interview. It ended up working in my favour!

(I'm in western Canada, if that makes any difference to you.)

Hi orangecampino,

I see you are from Vancouver. Which courses did u take for public health and at which school. I am trying to get into public health currently and would love to know where to start.

hi orangecampino,

i see you are from vancouver. which courses did u take for public health and at which school. i am trying to get into public health currently and would love to know where to start.

hi futurdoc,

i attended ubc school of nursing. for the last semester of school, ubc offers special "avenues" classes based on the students' interests - ie. public health, pediatrics, maternity, acute care, etc. i chose to take my avenues course in public health and to do a final practicum/preceptorship in public health. you have to be a student enrolled in the nursing program in order to take the course. i believe most nursing schools offer something similar (although some schools may not offer this in public health).

if you are interested in maternal/child public health nursing, the douglas college breastfeeding course for healthcare providers (http://www.douglas.bc.ca/programs/continuing-education/programs-courses/perinatal/p_career/breastfeeding-course.html) is a very helpful course to take. some employers require that their phns take this course. even though i wasn't required to take it, i found it very helpful for my practice - plus, it is a good resume booster!