I want to go into PH Nursing as a New Grad -- Questions

[Nonetheless]

I am in my last year of nursing school, and I am strongly leaning towards becoming a Public Health Nurse. I am considering doing my preceptorship in Public Health and hopefully gaining a job with a county/ state department of Public Health.

However, I am not sure if it is the best choice.

My concerns:

1. Will I be pigeonholed as a Public Health Nurse for the rest of my nursing career if I go into Public Health as a new grad?

2. Is Public Health a stable field, or is it unstable? Meaning, will I be able to find work in Public Health or is it a struggle to gain employment? Is it stable throughout your career? If I go into Public Health, can I reasonably expect to be employed for most of my nursing career?

EDIT: I know the new grad job market is brutal. I am talking about after a year or so, once I become established in my career.

3. Is there room to become a Public Health Nurse Practitioner/ Family Nurse Practitioner and have this translate to Public Health? Or is it better to get an MPH?

4. Is the pay comparable to hospital work, or are Public Health nurses underpaid and underemployed?

5. Is it a good idea to go into Public Health for a preceptorship?

6. Is it good to get a good 2-5 years of hospital experience before even considering Public Health?

Currently, in my last year of nursing school, if money and job options were completely nonexistent factors, I would go into public health. Unfortunately, life is life and I want to be able to expect reasonable employment/ pay (even though nothing in life is guaranteed) (reasonable pay does NOT MEAN being a billionare, just being able to afford a nice clean apartment somewhere safe).

My professors have been encouraging me to go into Public Health, but other nurses I admire have said it's good to get hospital experience.

I might change my mind during clinicals but right now I am developing a love for Public Health.

I have internship experience with a Public Health facility and love it.

EDIT: As you can see, I have heard a lot of good and bad things about Public Health. My own research indicates that it has good (not wealthy, I am not spoiled about salaries here) pay and that I would be happy if I went into it. However, some people have scared me.

EDIT: I am on my way to getting a BSN

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I'm currently a volunteer at my local department of health while I work full-time at the hospital on a busy acute care floor. I wish there were more jobs available at my DOH as I know that's where I would love to retire. In my state, it seems the Community health RN jobs are in rural areas. I'm a career changer and I have different opinions than most about going into your specialty of choice right out of school. I say go for it! However, if you have plans to work in the hospital, it may hinder you. You'll find stories from people who had difficulties going back to the hospital and some who had great success.

I'm at this stage in my life that I should be doing what I have a passion and love for and my heart is to be a nurse outside of bedside. I don't enjoy bedside nursing so if I were to ever leave for a PH job, I am happy to never return to the floor. When I was a nursing student, I enjoyed my PH clinical the most with L&D coming in at second. Unfortunately, both areas are tough to get into.

Since PH jobs are hard to come-by, I'm also looking in Home Health but will advise you, many agencies won't consider RNs with less than 1 year experience because you're on your own in the field. I agree that new grads need to be surrounded by experienced nurses to help them with any questions they have and you'll get that in the hospital. But the reward is just as great as PH because you have time to talk with your patients and educate them.

There are some wonderful PH RNs on here who I have personally messaged for advice so I look forward to their advice on your topic too.

[Nonetheless]

I'm currently a volunteer at my local department of health while I work full-time at the hospital on a busy acute care floor. I wish there were more jobs available at my DOH as I know that's where I would love to retire. In my state, it seems the Community health RN jobs are in rural areas. I'm a career changer and I have different opinions than most about going into your specialty of choice right out of school. I say go for it! However, if you have plans to work in the hospital, it may hinder you. You'll find stories from people who had difficulties going back to the hospital and some who had great success.

I'm at this stage in my life that I should be doing what I have a passion and love for and my heart is to be a nurse outside of bedside. I don't enjoy bedside nursing so if I were to ever leave for a PH job, I am happy to never return to the floor. When I was a nursing student, I enjoyed my PH clinical the most with L&D coming in at second. Unfortunately, both areas are tough to get into.

Since PH jobs are hard to come-by, I'm also looking in Home Health but will advise you, many agencies won't consider RNs with less than 1 year experience because you're on your own in the field. I agree that new grads need to be surrounded by experienced nurses to help them with any questions they have and you'll get that in the hospital. But the reward is just as great as PH because you have time to talk with your patients and educate them.

There are some wonderful PH RNs on here who I have personally messaged for advice so I look forward to their advice on your topic too.

Thank you for your answer!!!!

I am just going to play it by ear and apply to PH jobs as well as hospital jobs when I graduate and see which ones hire me, and make my choices from there.

I have no idea if I want to do PH for my preceptor ship, though. I love PH but I love everything else and I don't want to limit myself when everything is so appealing to me at this time.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I agree to apply to both PH and hospital jobs especially since you find a lot of things appealing to you.

Good luck with graduation and the NCLEX!

[Nonetheless]

I agree to apply to both PH and hospital jobs especially since you find a lot of things appealing to you.

Good luck with graduation and the NCLEX!

Thank you!!! Good luck to you too!!!

[cc_RN]

Most pub h rn positions will require a minimum of 1-2yrs nursing hosp experience, while some may except new grads....just depends on where. I wanted to get straight into the field postgrad but unfortunately there were no openings at the time I was a new grad 4yrs ago. But after 2yrs, I finally got the opportunity. Pay is lower than hosp jobs -for the most part. However, if you work in ph, you have to expect not to make a lot due to the nature of the job. I love ph and have also gotten my mph but have not been able to use it due to lack of opport in my area (city).