Once a PHN can I go back to acute care?

spcrn · Jan 26, 2013

I am also interested in an answer for this question. Any insight is highly appreciated.

Genista, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2013

Hard to say. I just left acute care, and want to go into PH Nursing. LOL. Many hospitals want recent acute care experience within anywhere from last 6 mos to 2 years recency. The economy is down, so employers can afford to be picky. You might love public health, and not miss a thing. You can also consider working part time at one job and part time at another. Good luck!

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2013

Why would anyone want to go into acute care nursing? Because you like being tortured?

With the PHN job you are lucky to have gotten, you will hopefully have fairly normal hours,sounds like county/gov't benefits,not have to deal with rude nurses aides/techs, get breaks, actually get a lunch,be able to use the toilet etc.

Dont worry, you wont be missing anything but misery.

delerben · Jan 30, 2013

I went straight into PHN and am so glad to have avoided the aforementioned poster's description.

SqueakRN · Feb 10, 2013

I am a new grad and my first job I've been offered is as a PHN for the county. I am worried that after several years I will end up in a desk job. This is not the reason I went into nursing and am wondering if after I start my career as a PHN, what will it take to move back into acute care? This is a fantastic job, and a great opportunity, so I really do not want to give up this position. I am just concerned about what the future may hold for my career.
Thanks.

I started off years ago wanting to eventually work in the ICU and am currently about to leave the hospital for good to work a desk job with no weekend, holiday, and night shifts --- and I'm thrilled about it!!!

But I do understand that desire to be in the trenches, so to speak, when first graduating school. I think a lot of it depends on where you live. If you live in a highly saturated area then trying to move into acute care later may be more difficult than not. I live in a highly saturated area, and what I see a lot of new grads who want acute care doing is moving away for a couple years to get that acute care experience in a city or sometimes state that still has that nursing shortage. Then they come back here, and they have a better chance of getting hired on in the hospitals.

It also depends on what ultimately you want in your career. Do you plan eventually to go to CRNA school? Want to be an NP? Want to work in public health but just want the acute care experience?

I won't lie. Acute care is rough. Real rough. I'm very glad to be leaving it, but I've been at this for nearly a decade, so I'm looking at this a little differently than you are, I'm sure.

Good luck to you!

SqueakRN · Feb 10, 2013

Why would anyone want to go into acute care nursing? Because you like being tortured?
With the PHN job you are lucky to have gotten, you will hopefully have fairly normal hours,sounds like county/gov't benefits,not have to deal with rude nurses aides/techs, get breaks, actually get a lunch,be able to use the toilet etc.
Dont worry, you wont be missing anything but misery.

Sometimes people need to taste a little misery to appreciate the lack of! LOL

telealli · Sep 13, 2014

Hi Sugarlips,

I am currently in the process of applying for a PHN position at LA County. PHN is my dream job and at the moment it is difficult to find a career in that path. Can you give me some tips on the process of getting hired at LA County? What is the exam and interview like? Thank you

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2014

Why would anyone want to go into acute care nursing? Because you like being tortured?
With the PHN job you are lucky to have gotten, you will hopefully have fairly normal hours,sounds like county/gov't benefits,not have to deal with rude nurses aides/techs, get breaks, actually get a lunch,be able to use the toilet etc.
Dont worry, you wont be missing anything but misery.

Could not agree more! I'm making the switch and so excited for it