Pros and Cons of Public Health Nursing?

Renee4christ · Nov 15, 2008

Hi, i can't answer your queston, but i also want to go into public health nursing beut not sure if i should get some hospital experience first. do you want to go directly into community health?

youknowho · Nov 22, 2008

Pros- work schedule. Cant beat M-F 8-5 w/ no holidays, being in the community versus being confined to a hospital, autonomy.

Cons- PH is constantly being cut when the budget is bad, this is very stressful. paperwork can be daunting.

If you go straight into PH w/ no hospital experience you will not have that to fall back on if you get cut someday. Dont get me wrong, people do it and its fine but make sure its a stable position that will not get cut in 6 months. I love PH and cant recommend it enough but like all specialties, it not for everyone. Make sure you list your pros/cons of this position especially if you are right out of school. Good luck.

ARRR10 · Nov 26, 2008

Pros- work schedule. Cant beat M-F 8-5 w/ no holidays, being in the community versus being confined to a hospital, autonomy.
Cons- PH is constantly being cut when the budget is bad, this is very stressful. paperwork can be daunting.
If you go straight into PH w/ no hospital experience you will not have that to fall back on if you get cut someday. Dont get me wrong, people do it and its fine but make sure its a stable position that will not get cut in 6 months. I love PH and cant recommend it enough but like all specialties, it not for everyone. Make sure you list your pros/cons of this position especially if you are right out of school. Good luck.

Thank you so much for replying back. I have done almost 2 months in the med/surg unit during my preceptorship and have found it to be one of the most stressful environments to work in; however, I have learned a lot from this experience and also am fortunate to have such caring coworkers.