Got the Job!!! (Health Dept.)

[wife&mommyRN]

So I'm floating on cloud 9 bc I was offered the position for the job I really wanted. I was surprised they offered me the job so quickly. There is still a lengthy process to go through, but overall I'm excited and ready to move on to something else. I am taking a significant pay cut, but the benefits and perks of the job outweigh the hourly salary.

Can anyone that works for the health department expand on the job itself, benefits, and overall atmosphere. I've only read good reviews as compared to typical floor nursing that I'm currently doing. I'm very excited, comments, experiences, and opinions are all welcomed.

Thanks in advance :)

[~Shrek~]

I had six months of broken non med-surg experience and I got a position, but my experiences were relevant to public health and I did a lot of public health type work in school.

EDIT: This was in reply to a comment

[2mint]

I had six months of broken non med-surg experience and I got a position...

~Shrek~ or anyone, if you don't mind, what is your job title in the Dept of Public Health?

Because I'm seeing openings for (and with different pays):

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE I (its own specialty, aka PHN)

STAFF NURSE (an RN that works for DPH...aka...DPHN ?)

What's the difference between the two in DPH setting?

I'm assuming the Staff Nurse does not deal with public programs (STI's, Family Planning, etc)?

Thanks guys.

Edit: googling only got PHN related, no "RN that works for DPH"

[AlaBro2010]

I had no experience when hired 3 years ago. I now work as a specially trained STI nurse. Different places have different ways of titling their positions. I'm now PHN whereas at my last position I was RN. Our department has community health vs public health. I can try to figure out the difference if you supply a link with an example.

[2mint]

Our department has community health vs public health. I can try to figure out the difference if you supply a link with an example.

Hey, thanks. I bookmarked this but didn't choose the email option so I had no idea you posted here.

After looking at the position again, it's not part of the Dept of Public Health. The position is for one of many county-run clinics:

"Staff Nurse I

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general supervision of Clinic or Program Manager, the Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care and treatment for patients. The positions are subject to overtime, standby, callback, shift work, and weekend assignments. Some of the duties include hands-on care, assessment, testing, and treatment of patients; interviewing patients and assisting them in follow-up care; maintaining medical and medication supplies; rendering emergency medical treatment; dispensing and administering medications; and maintaining charts and records."

Yeah, so it's more of a clinic RN instead of public health RN.

[2mint]

Well, I got 4 offers in 5 interviews (two clinics, two hospitals), but decided on the hospital position because as a new grad, I will be doing myself a disservice if I forgo the new grad program.

Clinic/Urgent Care/Public Health Nursing will be better with an experienced nurse, my thinking. I am just trying to secure my future, after 2-4 years, I could always go back to PHN and PRN at the hospital.

Thank you for this thread guys.

[sergel02, BSN]

Just dropping in to say how encouraging the thread has been. Most public health nurses I know love their job and enjoy the work they do, which says a lot.