Benefits of getting an MPH degree?

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What are the benefits of getting a Master of Public Health degree while being a nurse? I am interested in becoming an APNP, and am wondering if it will look better to APNP schools and employers to have a MPH degree.

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Unless your goals are to work in public health as an APNP (or RN) or your NP school of choice has a heavy population health emphasis, I don't think most employers or schools would probably care that you had an MPH. I could see it helping for an NP school admissions if your undergraduate GPA was not very good and your graduate GPA from your MPH program was stellar to balance it out. However, you might get better answers from one of the NP forums. Good luck wherever your goals take you!

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Unless your goals are to work in public health as an APNP (or RN) or your NP school of choice has a heavy population health emphasis, I don't think most employers or schools would probably care that you had an MPH. I could see it helping for an NP school admissions if your undergraduate GPA was not very good and your graduate GPA from your MPH program was stellar to balance it out. However, you might get better answers from one of the NP forums. Good luck wherever your goals take you!

How do I move the topic to a NP forum?

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That I'm not sure of. Hopefully a moderator will come along, or maybe you can ask on the AllNurses board in the general nursing section?

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Specializes in medical surgical.

I see no benefit to it unless you want to work for the government or the CDC (which is also the government).

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Moved to NP forum.

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Specializes in Long term care.

Hi, I have my MPH and ADN. I went to graduate school straight after getting my Bachelor's in Community Health. I initially wanted to work for the CDC in public health. I couldn't find a job with my MPH, so I went back to school and earned my ADN. I don't think having my MPH has any affect on anything. I have gotten management positions in nursing due to me having my MPH, since I don't have my BSN as of yet. I am currently in Walden University BSN/MSN-NP program. So in my opinion there is no particular benefit of getting your MPH unless you want to work in public health specifically. But I can say that I do not feel my MPH was a waste of time and that it does help me in my current nurse management position. But if you want your NP license, then don't waste your time getting a MPH unless you just enjoy going to school.

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I agree with the SiwanRN. If I were you I would get a NP degree first, work a little bit, and then decide if you want the MPH. MPH is an adjunct degree, it can be useful in very rural areas

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If you want to be an NP, then just focus on applying to an NP school. The MPH is good for a career in public health (government). In addition, some civilian employers look for an MPH for managers and executives.

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