Need advice from nurses with an MPH or health dept nurses

Like you, Math courses were my weakness. In my case, Stats were particularly difficult. I have a MPH with a Community Health specialization, which was my preferred and intended specialization, so I can't speak with any authority as to what an admissions committee may or may not decide based on your Math GPA. That said, I'd suggest that you consider carefully if you even want to specialize in an area that relies so much on a skill set that isn't amongst your strongest. I didn't feel that I was going to do well academically with an Epidemiology specialty, but I also didn't feel like I would enjoy basing a career on it, so that point was moot. Just my $.02.

I'm sorry I can't help much in that regard, as I work for a university in a position that was specifically looking for Community Health expertise. I also live in a large County that has a huge health department with many different opportunities, so I'd say they probably base their preferences on the individual positions. Since my job is tied so closely to our state budget and it is perpetually in crisis, I tend to start worrying every April or May that I won't be employed come July 1. That's when I start browsing the County listings. I've noticed positions for both Epidemiology and Community Health; what I don't know is which positions tend to draw more applicants or be harder to land. The County also has a habit of lisiting positions that may or may not end up being furnded or filled, so there's another monkey wrench in being able tot offer any constructive advice. I'm sorry I don't have very clear information for you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

PS- I probably should have gotten a D in the first semester of Stats myself. I tend to believe the prof just wanted to be rid of me, after I practically stalked him during office hours all semester! The second semester, I had a tutor from the start and did a bit better, but ended up with the same C grade; I just actually earned it that time!

If it was me, I'd wait, just because of the expense. Good luck; I hope you got in to the program you want most and enjoy your career. I really have enjoyed mine (even though you'll also find posts by me kvetching about work!)

I am in San Diego County and I got my MPH in Los Angeles. Some of the places my local cohort-mates work are for the County Health aHuman Services Department (in an obesity prevention program, as part of a longitiduinal child development study and coordinating a broad health and development program for children 0-5), in the Title V program as part of a pilot program for children with cystic fibrosis, at the local medical school as project coordinators and for a university (not the same one I work at) coordinating a Medical Home for Children project. I know that some of my other cohort-mates work in a variety of sponsored research projects, for a genetics study, overseeing the distribution of our state's Welcome Baby kits and with a home visiting program. There are also a number of MPHs that work for our local chapter of the AAP, primarily coordinating projects and I know that the national AAP also hires MPHs for that purpose. I am sure that the CDC and NIH hire MPHs, too, I have just never looked into those positions directly. There really are so many directions you could go!

I also was tossing over the idea of MPH or MSN. I ended up enrolling in a MSN program that allows a specialty in public health. I have 4 classes left -yay! and now thinking about DrPH or DNP. I have worked in county public health depts doing high risk maternal/child health home visits. I now work as a supervisor at a family planning/public health clinic. I also love global health and have done volunteer trips overseas. When my daughter is in college I would love to work overseas and possible teach online courses.

I have an MPH with a focus in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention which is basically the same thing you're doing. In your program, you will have some exposure to Epidemiology and associated concepts. Some employers may find this sufficient, some may not. You can also use your elective credits to explore a little more in Epidemiology as well. This is what I did. Another option is completing a Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology while you get your degree or afterwards. There are aslo free trainings online in Epidemiology, you just have to search around for them. Good luck with your program!

Tmarie75

Thanks Tmarie! Sounds like we have the same interests. I debated about MPH vs MSN and decided to do MSN in case I decide to teach in a nursing program in the future. I'm enjoying the classes so far and am doing the PH focus (epi, health policy, environmental heath, etc..) The classes are about 3/4 MPH students and 1/4 MSN students. I wanted to do a global health cert but the university doesn't offer it. Overall I am happy with my choice and the MSN program.