I got a BSN in Nursing, worked the floor for almost a year and then became a PHN. I think it really varies from state to state. If you want to be in a managerial position it is best to have the BSN and/or MSN (PH) or MPH.

Hi MagsRN2008,

I am trying to get into Public Health as a new grad, and I was wondering how you went about it. I am currently looking in the Los Angeles area.

Thanks in advance!

I have my PHN. I am a RN-BSN. The BSN is considered entry level for public health nursing. It would be a smart move. Not many nurses in public health

BSN is preferred in my county but I was recently hired with my ADN. I believe my experience was considered too which had two years in community health.

Originally Posted by KeepItReal21

Hi MagsRN2008,

I am trying to get into Public Health as a new grad, and I was wondering how you went about it. I am currently looking in the Los Angeles area.

Thanks in advance!

This link on the BRN site gives you the instructions on how to get the PHN certificate: www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/phn-app.pdf
Suggest you contact an advisor in the school of nursing at SJSU and discuss this. SJSU offers the PHN with their BSN. I don't know, offhand, which schools, if any, in the LA area offer PH, but that info might be available on the BRN link that lists the accredited RN programs in CA. The advisor at SJSU would be able to tell you what schools down in the Southland could help you out with the education to allow you to get the certificate. HTH

I have eight years experience in Public Health with my Guard unit. When I intially joined at the age of 17 I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, didn't really have the the intention of staying in the Guard, and used the bennies to whiz my way through college graduating with a BA in Business Admin in 2006, which I have not really "used". Shortly after graduating I became a wife and stay at home mother.

Now I am interested in pursuing a career outside of the Guard full time in the Public Health field. I think what education I've had with the AF and the experiences I had in trainings will help me along, and it is something I enjoy and do well.

So I already have a BA in Business, and an AAS in Public Health Technology from the CCAF and I don't know what schooling I should pursue next to ACTUALLY get into Public Health in the civilian world.

I have started on pre-reqs for ABSN programs, but am also considering just doing an MPH (after I get over my fear of the GRE). The main problem is financing this...I can only get further loans for graduate work. My concern over doing a nursing degree first, is that it will take a very long time (wait-lists) and alot of $ I don't really have. If I agree to work for a hospital by signing a contract with one school I've talked to in order to help finance the BSN, then I getting off path of pursing Public Health as well.

Do I seriously need to get a second bachelor's/BSN to get into Public Health somewhere in the civilian world? Are there many health educator/community health positions for non-RN's with an AAS in PH, and an MPH?

My instructor in the Health Science Department stated that you can't really expect to get anywhere without the MPH as a minimum. That had been my goal at one time.

Originally Posted by caliotter3

My instructor in the Health Science Department stated that you can't really expect to get anywhere without the MPH as a minimum. That had been my goal at one time.

I agree. I went back to school and graduated with my MPH last month. I truly love Public Health and Public Health Nursing. If your goal is strictly to work in Public Health (and not Public Health Nursing), then the minimum you need to get anywhere in this field is an MPH degree. FYI, not all programs require the GRE. My program was completely online and CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) accredited, and did not require the GRE for admission.

Originally Posted by tmarie75

I agree. I went back to school and graduated with my MPH last month. I truly love Public Health and Public Health Nursing. If your goal is strictly to work in Public Health (and not Public Health Nursing), then the minimum you need to get anywhere in this field is an MPH degree. FYI, not all programs require the GRE. My program was completely online and CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) accredited, and did not require the GRE for admission.

Do you mind me asking what program that was?

Originally Posted by nursinghereicome1112

Do you mind me asking what program that was?

I completed the Online MPH at Florida International University (Miami, FL). The Online MPH is a generalist degree. If you want to specialize, you can, or you can complete a Graduate Certificate simultaneously. In addition to the MPH, I also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and became a CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist).