Advice for prospective nursing student with interest in Public Health

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Hi,

I'm new to the allnurses forum, and would love to hear from folks that work in the area of Public Health nursing, especially anyone that has done it on an international level, with ideas and opinions about this field.

I am a current Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, and will be finishing up my service in October. I have worked in preventative health education during my time here, first in the area of hygiene/nutrition, and now in sexual/reproductive health. Until recently, I had been planning on getting an MPH to get further education and skills to be able to continue in the type of work that I'm doing now, but I am now planning on a nursing degree, through an accelerated BSN program, with the the hope of eventually working in the field of public health nursing.

My question for any one out there who works in this area is whether or not given my interests (community level interventions, preventative health), getting a nursing degree makes sense, or if I just stick with the MPH. From what I have read on these postings and heard from some people, having a BSN opens doors that wouldn't be available to someone with just an MPH. However, at this point I don't imagine finding my place in nursing as a bedside, hospital setting, type of nurse, so is it worth going into the profession, starting nursing school, already thinking this?

For those of you that work in public health nursing, what was your path into this field? Did anyone start off in nursing and then get an MPH, or the reverse?

Hope to hear from someone, I am looking for guidance and suggestions as I consider my options and start to make decisions about heading in the direction of public health nursing.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

i dont know how to send messages to people on this site, but i am in the same boat. i am interested in doing an MPH program with an incorporated peace corps service then returning and doing a ABSN program. I asked if the order was important a day or two ago and haven't gotten any feedback. I hope you enjoy the last few weeks in Guatemala!

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
i dont know how to send messages to people on this site, but i am in the same boat. i am interested in doing an MPH program with an incorporated peace corps service then returning and doing a ABSN program. I asked if the order was important a day or two ago and haven't gotten any feedback. I hope you enjoy the last few weeks in Guatemala!

You will be able to send private messages once you have 15 posts.

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Specializes in Int'l, Disaster, PH, Rural/frontier, acu.

this is great...I am so tickled that you both have asked this important question about MPH vs. a BSN...I have been in PHN for many moons...work internationally and teach PHN. Here is a quick over view of the drivers: PH is a shifting field w/ accreditation beginning this year www.phaboard.org - MPHers are expanding and some say are 'pushing' nurses out...I don't think that is true, but I do think that today's BSN is not as well prepared for today's PH practice as are MPHers...HC reform is driving toward prevention/health promotion, but not until 2018...short answer: you need both - a nursing degree and an MPH if you want to be optimally effective in PH...however, nursing edu. is driven by state board exams which are based on the medical model (i.e. - pt. safety)...so will have to be focused on the acute/hospital stuff through BSN-ville...a good combo-school is Emory...You can also be a certified PHN through ANCC...Nursing and PH are a perfect fit - a BSN w/ a MPH will be a great career choice as things are looking to be lining-up nationally and globally...Best wishes!!

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Specializes in OB/GYN,PHN, Family Planning.

I am doing a MSN program that has a focus on Public health. Best of both worlds!

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I think your plan sounds like a great idea - I wish that I had looked into Peace Corps Master's International programs, the MPH one would have been perfect. There aren't very many post Peace Corps programs (PC Fellows they call them) for ABSNs, maybe two or three. The one at Johns Hopkins sounds amazing, and they have a focus on public health/international health, which is exactly what I am looking for. I would be glad to answer any questions you might have about applying for the Peace Corps, etc. if they come up. Good luck with your plans!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

thanks! apps are due october 15 for starting the MPH this january. if i get in i then apply for peace corps. im stoked!

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