I have been deciding what my next step is, and I’m leaning towards public health. I have study health science at Uni before nursing, I did a lot of papers on health promotion, public policy ect that I really enjoyed, which makes me think I would enjoy public health. But also Having regular hours, and some sort of routine to life, would be amazing too. I have recently paid off my student loan, so would be OK with a pay cut. However I do like a job that’s largely has direct pt contact, autonomy, and would hate to be stuck at a desk all day. As well as being young, 20s, I’m worried one day I would like to go back to acute care and not be able to.
what do public health nurse exactly do daily? What’s the pros and cons? Thoughts in general..
background info, if your interested.
I have been a nurse for nearly 4 years in acute care. I started off in float pool, which normally isn’t recommended for new grads, but for me I thrived in that environment. I learnt a lot and found what I like/dislike about nursing. I have been in ED for over a year now, and I’m ready to move on. I do shift work, so work mornings/afternoons/nights, with no sort of routine. It changes from month to month. The rosters are truly awful. Also I can tell I’m heading towards burning out, the department is always overrun and chronically understaffed. Not to mention my manager Is a complete b****. However the nurses on the floor are mostly pretty good.
