Best course of action for public health nursing?

[Emmz]

Hi, this is my first post here and I'm glad to see such a big, engaging community.

I'm 19 and a rising junior at Emory University. I'm actually studying right now for a BA in Sociology, with a minor in Global Health.

My plan until very recently was just to get an MPH (Master's of Public Health) and work in a health-related nonprofit or health research organization (or government or health education--I am still flexible), but I have recently been thinking that perhaps my interests would be better served with a career as a public health nurse. I still think it would be worth my while to get an MPH, but I'm wondering what the best approach would be to act as a public health nurse. I had never really considered nursing until now, so even though I'm at Emory (where many students go for nursing!) it's definitely too late to enter that program, as I will be entering my third year of study at Emory College, not the nursing school :)

If anyone has experience in what it takes to be prepared to be a public health nurse, what do you think? I know that there are MPH/MSN programs out there, but they require an existing nursing degree. I'm not sure if BSN/MPH programs exist (a google search didn't turn up much). Are there other alternatives to the BSN for having the nursing qualifications to become a public health nurse? I don't want to spend an excessive amount of time getting one degree after another--I've got a scholarship for my undergraduate study, but after this, it's all gotta get paid somehow, so if anyone knows of a way to double up, that could be particularly useful.

Many thanks for any replies :)

[SiennaGreen]

I have always had similar interests in public health/community health. Twenty years ago I went to school and got a BSN in Health Education, thinking because I wanted to work public health in education and health promotion that would be the best bet...It turns out it was rather limiting.

Now that I am heading back for a second time around, my hearts desire is still in the same place but i realize that I can better serve the people I want to serve with an RN in there. Many positions witin non profit or who interact with gov't agencies required RN. So, now I'm looking at MSN as an avenue to tackle my specific goals.

Many schools offer MSN/MPH dual degree Masters-when the time comes. If you got the BSN now, you would have some time to get out into the world and refine exactly where you want to serve before heading back for the grad work.

Just my humble opinion.

Best wishes!

[sunray12]

Hello:

Concentrate on finishing up your first degree for now. Then you'll qualify for direct entry MSN degrees and you could also pick up MPH studies at that time. If you're not working now then what you can do is look into getting a part time job non-nursing job or internship in community health. Your school may be able to help you with this and the experience may be able to get your foot in the door with regard to finding a job down the road when you're finished with nursing school.

[jjsrn1]

I think it's wonderful you are considering blending public health and nursing together for a career! That is my goal as well. As Sunray said, after you graduate from Emory you will be eligible to apply for direct entry MSN programs. I know there are a few that offer the chance to get your MPH at the same time. Here is a link to all the direct entry MSN programs in the U.S., which you may find helpful: http://www.becomern.com/direct-entry-msn/ In the meantime, I would suggest finding volunteer/internship opportunities at a local health department or community health organization. Good luck! :-)

[girl.w/useless.b.a.]

There are programs out there (Yale and Johns Hopkins come to mind) where you can get a direct entry MSN and an MPH at the same time. It means that a 3 year program becomes 4 years, and you have to get into both programs seperately. However, you seem like a determined person...I'm sure you could pull it off!