Any Public Health Nurse out there?

[violet_violet]

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?

[mizfradd, CNA]

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.

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!

[violet_violet]

thanks!

[regularRN]

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

[violet_violet]

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

[heatheryk]

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!

[loving2]

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.

[PurpleLVN]

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:

[violet_violet]

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.