Are PHN in demand?

Specialties Public/Community

Published

I am going to be starting my BSN program in a few days and I know I'm jumping the gun, but I'm trying to get an idea of job prospects that will keep me motivated when I'm up late studying and thinking "this isn't worth it!".

I already know that I am going to avoid medical settings like the plague because I have seen the working conditions and it doesn't appeal to me at all. I've been working on a psych unit lately and psych along with public health are areas that I know I could absolutely Excel in as a nurse and are areas I am deeply passionate about.

Since I already have my foot in the door at a new grad friendly psych hospital, I'm trying to figure out what steps I can take to make myself standout as an applicant for public health positions?

I currently live in Orange County, CA and I always creep on my county's HR to see job postings and PHN positions are definitely out there. I'm a white male who knows very little Spanish and given the demographic of southern California, I think this could be a road block for me obtaining a position.

Those of you who work in public health in my area, what kind of experience did you have outside of public health? Is a senior preceptor ship in public health a good idea? Any feedback would be awesome!

Fyi: I'm doing a 5 semester, year round program, so unfortunately, I won't be able to volunteer during the program as I will be working and going to school full time.

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Specializes in Public Health, Maternal Child Health.

Very big questions and of course the answer is, it depends where you are willing to work. Southern CA is a big area so are you willing to relocate to the next county over if Orange County is not in demand? Also do you know what department or aspect or population of public health you want to work in? For example I'm in northern CA and our county is in demand. But some department do NOT hire often and others do. For me I knew I only wanted to work in maternal child health and I was willing to move.

There are plenty of roles for a "white male without Spanish" ... TB/CD, HIV/STD surveillance, foster care, etc.

i think it's fine to do a preceptorship in in... But it's also perfectly fine to do a preceptorship in the clinical setting to get some more experience with the very sick and with the medical field in general. I found my preceptorship in a busy postpartum/nursery unit extremely useful in my obstetric knowledge and my ability to help the population I now work with. I also want to point out that I would try to avoid statements like "I already know I'm not going to like _____" you should always try to be open minded about everything you will learn and every clinical experience is important. even if you "know" the area you want to work in, try to see each clinical rotation as important to your well rounded education and your diversity of knowledge. I hated working with the elderly but I learned so much. Good luck!

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