Career opportunities for an RN/MPH - other than PHN?

I've been hired on for a county PHN position, but I haven't actually started yet, scoope23. However, I am excited about the opportunity! I will be starting out as the immunization nurse for this particular clinic, then I will be cross-trained on STD treatment/management.

As far as other opportunities for an RN/MPH, during my job search, I've found it to be hit-or-miss. I really think it depends on the area of the country you're living/working in, though. I'm in the metro Atlanta area, and the only RN/MPH positions I've seen are for hospital infection prevention - which would be great, but you need at least 2 years of infection control experience for the positions. Even at the state PH department or Federal (CDC) level, I haven't seen many opportunities in my geographic region; the ones I *have* seen require extensive nursing experience (which I can understand). However, I've seen more job postings for RN/MPHs in the Northeast/New England regions. Honestly, I think most employers aren't quite sure what to do with someone who is a nurse with an MPH....they either want you to JUST be a nurse, or JUST be an epidemiologist! PH nursing is, I think, the best specialty to make use of both of your skillsets.

I'm happy for you and your new opportunity!

I actually live in the Atlanta area as well, so this feedback is even more valuable! I haven't figured out the career route I want to take just yet, but I know I want to be able to include epi in whatever I do. I'm even debating about going for the MSN.

Are there any opportunities to shadow with you?! I live in Atlanta and work in one of the EDs in a surrounding hospital (though about to leave on my 1st travel assignment). My dream is really to work at the CDC and know a few people who are there know doing that type of work, but since I won't always live in Atlanta, am curious to shadow in some other areas. When I had clinical in nursing school at the health department, I was with a crochety woman who wouldn't teach me a thing. I would love to actually have a better opportunity to see what others in PH do before deciding if I want my MPH or an MSN!

I'm really interested in this discussion, as I'm trying to decide whether to go for MSN or MPH. I am a public health nurse in Oregon. I work in reproductive health and HIV case management. It's my first nursing job and I was lucky that my nursing school capstone at the county health department lead to a job. My concern is that our number of clients has dropped quite a bit in the past two months because many of our previously uninsured clients now have insurance and are able to go to a doctor, which of course we want to encourage. In some ways, public health might be working itself out of jobs. A lot of discussion in our state is happening on what the future of public health will be and it's looking like the direction will be less clinical and more policy/population-based. I would love to work in policy someday but still really need to develop as a nurse. Just wondering if anyone else considering MSN vs. MPH. My heart is really with public health but I'm not sure I want to paint myself in a corner. I don't want to go NP route. I've seen some MSN program specializing in community/public health or health systems leadership. Has anyone else found any MSN programs that would work for both public and private health? Or do you feel the MPH is what is needed for a future in community health? I appreciate any feedback from anyone!

Hi Merritt5, I will put a plug in for a MS in Advanced Practice Public health Nursing. I recently finished my masters program in advanced practice public health nursing a few weeks ago. I can't tell you how it compares to a MPH as I knew I wanted to do a program with a core in nursing and did not research the MPH programs. Like you, I had no desire to be a NP, but rather a CNS. I really enjoyed my program. There was a huge focus on community assessment/planning/evaluation, population intervention, policy, and leadership. For my residency, I was able to work on a couple different community assessments in different settings. With this degree and specialty I feel my job opportunities have widened greatly. You don't just have to work for a public health department. With the skills that I gained I would feel comfortable being in any leadership position from a public health department to a CBO to a hospital/clinic. Whatever masters program you choose, you will learn theory and how to critique and apply literature. This is a great skill to have when working on evidence based change.

Following this thread. I have an MPH in community health and behavioral science. I am starting a BSN program in August. Not really sure if I want to go into PH nursing or not. Leaning more towards clinical research, but it's good to have options!

I did my MPH in Epidemiology and then finished nursing school afterwards. I like the RN/MPH combo because I was able to combine clinical skills with my background in public health, which provides for a unique perspective on health-related phenomena. My interests are in applied epidemiology/research, so I am still able to do that with a nursing degree too. I live in Atlanta and I'm currently at the CDC. I'm glad I combined the nursing with public health, but having a MSN is also valuable as well; it really depends on your interests on the direction you should go. Either way, you'll have plenty of options!

I know this post was written a few months ago. But I am completing my MSN in leadership and management in 6 months. However, I still have a great interest in public health and health policy issues. I was wondering do I still need to get a MPH degree to gain work opportunities in the public health field or will my MSN degree work for me too? Thanks!

I also have a BSN/MPH. I am intrigued by the EIS officer position at the CDC. I have been a nurse for a year and a half doing mostly immunization and communicable disease control. I am wondering if anyone knows what kind of experience they require for EIS? It seems like most past officers have MDs, PhDs. I just want to know if I am competitive enough to apply. Thanks.

I also have a BSN/MPH. I am intrigued by the EIS officer position at the CDC. I have been a nurse for a year and a half doing mostly immunization and communicable disease control. I am wondering if anyone knows what kind of experience they require for EIS? It seems like most past officers have MDs, PhDs. I just want to know if I am competitive enough to apply. Thanks.

EIS is something that I am considering as well. When I worked at the CDC, there were several current/former EIS officers that worked in my office. Many of them did have terminal degrees (i.e. MD, PhD, etc), but I did meet one RN/MPH who did the program several years ago. In order to be a competitive applicant, you should have extensive experience working in outbreaks, surveillance activities, epidemiology, knowledge of study designs, data analysis, and have publications already. EIS is a great program with tremendous opportunities to learn and grow in applied epidemiology. Everyone that I know that's done the program has nothing but good things to say about it. Also, the mentorship that you get from some of the leading experts in their fields is priceless.

Hi akcunnin,

I am currently trying to decide between an MPH or an MSN with an emphasis on public health. I am wondering what career opportunities in public health were available to you as an MSN, and which degree track you recommend.

I am primarily interested in public health, but I also enjoy education, and wonder if an MSN would give me more opportunities as an educator in case I could not find work in public health.

I appreciate any insight you might be able to offer!