by MagsRN2008

Hi there,

I just started my first nursing job as a junior PHN at my local health department. I only have an ADN in nursing and am looking to continue my education. Should I get a BSN first or shall I go for a BS in Public Health? What about a certificate in public health? Any advice welcome! By the way I prefer online courses as well.

Many thanks!

Re: Further education for PHN's

Interesting, I would like to know as well. I am an LPN that has college level courses (I graduated from an LPN to RN bridge program where it was required that we take most of the same pre-requisites). I just visited a school yesterday evening and the gentleman told me that it really didn't matter...that anyone with a nursing background (he meant LPN or RN) would probably advance a bit quicker than those with just the BS in Community Health Education because of their solid foundation on disease. He stated that a Health Educator that is a nurse would probably obtain a position in supervising the others. He didn't give the impression (and believe me, I asked) that it was imperative that I even become an RN, which was good news to me.

I think that you should visit the school and speak to a faculty member of that particular department to have more specific questions answered, but if it is the same everywhere, you'd probably be fine with the ADN.

Re: Further education for PHN's

Thanks for discussing this topic. I'm starting an ADN program in January, so I was considering enrolling in a grad-level course, Foundations of Public Health, this fall to see what the MPH program at my local university is like (I already have a BA in political science). My plan is to then get my RN and graduate in Dec. 2011, and continue with the MPH -- perhaps even taking an MPH course each summer between ADN semesters.

Am I naive in thinking that a new RN (actually a pre-nursing student now) could handle starting coursework toward an MPH at the same time? I'm wondering about future career opportunities, too, provided this all goes well -- whether someone with an ADN degree and an MPH (but no BSN) could find a worthwhile position.