Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Entry level PHN question

Hi. I am very interested in public health nursing. I am an experienced RN with a PHN certificate, but my professional experience is acute care/hospital nursing. If I go into Public Health, it will be a massive pay cut for me (close to 50% of my current hourly wage). I notice the PHN 1 (entry level) has a scale/range posted for the wage at this level. My question is: Do they automatically start you at the bottom of the pay scale for any entry level position? Or would they possibly negotiate the pay range based on experience? The reason I ask is that the pay wage is so low, I am not sure if I can afford to start at the very lowest level. I am the sole breadwinner for a family of four, and we live in an expensive area. Thanks for any insights. I would love to enter the field, and am willing to increase my hours & take a BIG paycut, but I do have a family to support on this.

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    I was hired as "new" PHN as a PHN II since I had RN experience. I worked 10 years in L&D and another 5 years in a family planning clinic. I ended leaving the PHN job and taking a management job at the family planning clinic (I worked part time at both jobs). I worked for the county and the nurses had to take 6% pay cuts for 2 years in a row. I liked the PHN job but couldn't afford to keep the job as a single mom.

  • Quote

    I'm a PHN who has worked at a few local health departments. I'm sure hiring practices and salary negotiations vary by organization. I did have some experience participating in the hiring process of some RNs, and I know the salaries b/c public salaries are published for everyone to see (& I peeked)! There were RNs brought in at the top of the salary range at some health depts. without a public health nursing background (but with a great deal of nursing experience). Nursing experience in any field is pertinent. Good luck, and welcome to public health nursing!

  • Quote
    • Author

    Thank you. I applied to the position, and am keeping fingers crossed. There are several areas of nursing that interest me, but I think Public Health is the one area that interests me the most.

  • Quote

    I didn't have any experience and I got the maximum allowed for an RN for the first year whether with 10 years experience or none. I would've asked for the maximum anyway knowing I won't be getting a raise so this way I can be happy for years.

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.