Any Public Health Nurse out there?

Published

I am a NG and will have an interview coming up for a public health nurse position working for the county.

I am wondering if there are any public health nurse on this forum??? Just wondering what you guys do out there, your job description. I know it can vary greatly but just so I can get a general idea. My last semester in school was public health but the county I was in was very small.

Public health isn't my first choice to go into... as a NG I would prefer a hospital setting, but this day and age the economy makes it very tough. I'm not sure what to do too. I was hoping for public health nurse for something down the line when I'm burned out from hospital setting but I guess I will have to take a gamble. I'm hesistant too because what if my other jobs that I applied to calls me? I can't quit within weeks or months of hiring. Any advices?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

Hi Violet_Violet,

Public health might not be your first choice to go into (as you say), but you might be surprised and love it. :D

Thought you might be interested in this previous thread of some PHN RN's:

https://allnurses.com/public-community-health/day-life-phn-382542.html

Good luck with the interview!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Many public health departments are experiencing funding cuts and having to lay off existing staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

True... this will be something to ask during the interview. Good point!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love public health. I started at public health straight out of nursing school. The nurses in my office are very diverse in their functions. Everthing from vaccine clinics, to infectious disease follow up ( at lot of TB in our area). This is interesting work, finding all of the pts contacts and getting them tested or treated. I work with the nurse family partnership and teach/ mentor pregnant mothers and new mothers. I love it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been in public health for 10 years. First as a Health Educator, then as a school nurse. I have made meaningful relationships with so many families. I have networked with many professionals. I did a little of everything....comm. disease clinic, STI clinic, reproductive clinic, HIV clinics, health fairs, case management, Emerg. Prep, WIC, etc. I got to see how local agencies work together...such as the Board of Ed., Sherrif's office, local hosp., Community Services, health dept., community college, etc. My supervisor was a great mentor and taught me about grant writing, budgets, etc. The health dept. I worked at was really big on trainings so I went to a lot of workshops. I worked great hours, no weekends, holidays off, etc. but the pay wasn't great.

I will warn you that I am having a VERY hard time getting a hospital job. I, too, went straight into public health. The health dept. paid for my nursing school so I owed them time. Then I started having babies and before you know it, 5 years had passed and I am still a School RN. I'm trying to get out of public health for now, but I will probably return later in my career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.

I would LOVE to do PH but as an LVN, the pay would not be great. I've been an LVN for 8 years- no hospital experience and no desire to work in the hospital!! But the chance to work with the public, immunizations, well-baby clinic, STD, Family planning-educating, treating, experiencing-OOOOHHHHH, I think I just had an O!!:dzed:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am worried about having a difficult time getting my foot in a hospital setting later. Ideally, I would like to get at least 5 years of acute care before heading to public health. That way, I would have experience and also the option of working in a hospital if I wanted to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment