MPH and nursing??

GlobalGouda · Jul 15, 2009

Hi Mission,

I am currently applying to the program at Columbia for an MSN/MPH and am wondering: is the mph worth it? Would you mind sharing some of your experience?

Thanks.

Mission · Jul 15, 2009

Hi Gouda!

It really depends on why you want an MPH. For me personally, I really enjoyed the program. Mailman is a great school, there's an awesome array of courses to take and the people you meet are fascinating. I'm doing my PhD now and I feel that the MPH has put me ahead of other students in my cohort because of the background in Epi and biostats that I got in the MPH program. The general MPH program at Mailman is really flexible too so I was able to customize it to my specific interests (nursing and public health informatics).

In general, if you're interested in international health, community/public health or research then the MPH is a good way to go. You need it for international health from what I've seen. For the other two areas, you may or may not need it and it may or may not make you more money but I think it will benefit you in terms of skills in those areas no matter what.

Hope that helps!

Mission

pshs_2000 · Jul 17, 2009

I just finished up my MPH this May (finished BSN 12/07). Next month I'm starting a epi fellowship in infectious diseases. Infectious diseases and global health are my two main interests and I think that my program gave me a good foundation in those subjects. I like the research aspect and learning how to critique journal articles and understand what the numbers really mean. Like Mission said, it really depends on what you want to do and what you're interested in. There's not much money in public health. For some reason, no one likes investing in preventive health. I'm still low on the nursing totem pole as far as pay is concerned, so anything i get paid is better that being a starving student :-) There are alot of different areas to work in and having a MPH defiantly wouldn't be a hindrance to advancing in your career. Sorry my response is so vague. I'll let you know more after I start my new job.

GlobalGouda · Jul 17, 2009

thanks phs 2000! I really appreciate your response, because as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer those are my main interest areas also. Making the big bucks isnt such a big priority for me either, but I do hope to eventually live comfortably, you know? Do you mind if I ask which school you attended for your MPH and BSN?

KyMPH · Apr 18, 2010

Public health professional usually don't make a lot of money in medicine...that is why a lot of people choose to pursue an MD instead of an MPH.

MeganS · Apr 18, 2010

Hello all nurses! I just completed my Masters in Public Health and strongly desire to enter the nursing field due to minimal interest in research and minimal interaction with people. What I would like to know is if having an MSPH can be helpful as a nurse and if yes, if there would likely be an increased compensation for this degree and being a nurse? Also, anyone know of any specific nursing positions that employ people with public health degrees?
thanx

I worked with a student-nurse nursing-assistant when I worked for Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. We worked together on the ICU and he was greatly respected by the other nurses. During vacation time, he took time off from the student job and worked overseas with his MPH. He felt that he had to get his BSN to be able to accomplish his goals--which was to work in public health overseas. I should note that he was bilingual; it helped with his employment.:redpinkhe