BSN with a PhD in Public health

dishes, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Do you have past work experience in public health? Have you applied to public health positions?

WeatherB · Jul 30, 2016

No experience in public health but I have been applying with no success. I am open to relocation.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Is your RN job in a hospital? Are their researchers working at the hospital?

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Why did you get a nursing degree then? Why not just go the public health route?

Maybe brush up on the resume and interview skills. I'm guessing you really want public health but never got hired so you thought a nursing degree would supplement??? Perhaps make you more marketable? If your interview skills are not up to par, it was a waste of money.

My advice. Do bedside a couple of years then apply to more places. The experience will help you tons.

WeatherB · Jul 31, 2016

Thank you for your advice but if you read my post I want something away from bedside. I work in a hospital. 3 months into it.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

Besides public health positions, have you applied to other types of nursing positions such as infection control or research?

elkpark · Jul 31, 2016

Thank you for your advice but if you read my post I want something away from bedside. I work in a hospital. 3 months into it.

Lots of new nurses want "something away from the bedside." Most of those kinds of positions require some significant amount of bedside nursing experience to be considered qualified, unless you just happen to get lucky.

Have you been applying for public health nurse positions? That would seem the most obvious option for you.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

Many of the positions you're interested in require bedside experience (infection control, education, administration).

Perhaps there are research jobs in your area related to public health?

BSN16 · Jul 31, 2016

Maybe look into home health?

feelix, RN · Aug 1, 2016

Apply for city and county clinics. That is where public health nurses work. You can make your way up. The other option is to teach at a public health school. State departments of health also hire public health people. Three months of experience in any field is not considered experience. Please complete at least a year for it to be counted.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 2, 2016

I'm curious. What kinds of jobs did you expect/hope to get when you decided to get your BSN? You already had several years experience as a CNA before graduating with your BSN... so ... the reality of bedside nursing should not have been a surprise to you.

What were you imagining your nursing career to be like? What was your plan? etc. Thinking that through and remembering your plans may help you find a long-term direction that will appeal to you. That doesn't mean you won't have to settle for a less-than-ideal job in the short run. But it might help you find a good path for your long-term happiness and success.