What Experience will Prepare Me for PHN?

Specialties Public/Community

Published

Hello,

I've read through the threads here so I already have an idea of opportunities available to new graduates in public health/community health nursing. I am currently halfway through a two-year BSN program. I worked as a case manager for several years in FQHCs prior to nursing school, specifically with at-risk populations (HIV/AIDS positive, prisoners, undocumented women, etc); did Community-Based Participatory Research during my first degree (B.A. in Public Health) and currently work at Planned Parenthood, doing education, intakes, screenings, and injections/phlebotomy (basically a medical assistant role). I also volunteer at a school-run community health clinic.

My questions are:

1. With a strong background in case management and clinic experience, do I have a better chance of getting a public health position directly after graduation? What can I do to improve my resume? I love my job at Planned Parenthood because I get to use my clinical skills and it has allowed me to shadow mid-levels providers and get direct-patient contact; however, I worry about how this experience will look on my resume--does anyone have positive or negative experience with listing PP as an employer (i.e. negative or taboo connotation to prospective employers)?

2. What sort of jobs would be a good fit for a new grad? For example, IHS, county, FQCHs, Commissioned Corps, etc--I would love to work with any organization as long as its focus is underserved patients.

3. I know I want to continue my education to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in a community health setting--I have worked with many FNPs and am confident this is my calling. How much experience should I get as a BSN before returning to school?

Thank you for your replies!

Specializes in public health.

1. Any experience would help. Whether it's bedside nursing, community health center experience, home visiting experience, etc. But I don't think experience is required to enter PHN.

2. Any of the ones you described. My first job as a new grad was in a local county health department. I went through several different programs within the systems and learned a lot.

3. Work for a year, see if you like what you do, then apply to grad school. Of course you may be a fast learner or get bored easily, then maybe 6 months is enough for you to master your job. In general, you can apply to grad school when you have time and money. :D

Good luck!

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