Why did you become a Public Health Nurse?

Specialties Public/Community

Published

Hi.

I am very interested in this subject as I work for San Diego County and there are lots of job openings in Public Health, from speciality areas, as children, pregnant women, immunizations, T.B. control, generalist to name a few. All of the jobs are 8-5, M-F.

I am helping recruit RN's for the County, so am asking you all for advise so that the flyers and brochures I am working on will attract people who want to be in Public Health.

Thank you so much.

Harry

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Hi Harry,

I was a PHN in Los Angeles County (Foster Care) and loved my job. Then we moved to Temecula. I was offered PHN jobs with the County of Riverside and the County of San Diego. I took the job with the County of San Diego (Oceanside) but stayed only a month. I just couldn't get over the fact that the hourly rate they were willing to pay me was $10 less an hour than what I made in Los Angeles so I left public health nursing for a higher paying job in Worker's Compensation Field Case Management. If the County of San Diego would pay me what I'm making now ($34.50/hr), I'd return to public health nursing in a hearbeat - especially because the supervisor in Oceanside was going to let me work 4 10-hour shifts (M-Th). She had no control over what HR was willing to pay and they were inflexible. I can't understand how San Diego County can expect to attract and keep PHN's when they pay so low. Any ideas or suggestions? It's not like the cost of living is lower in San Diego. In fact, my house payment has more than tripled since I moved to Temecula. Keep me posted if you hear anything about them increasing the salaries!

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Hi Lynnr:

You could check out the county web site at www.sdcounty.ca.gov. Perhaps the salary depends on your experience, step 1,2,3, or 4. I don't know your experience, so can't answer.

Do you like your job as a workers comp. case manager?

Also, what is it about being a Public Health Nurse that you love???

I realize that the County cannot compete with salaries with the private sector because we use tax payers $. For me, perks of the County are not being in the rat race with numbers being everything, helping those who need the help most (kind of like being in the Peace Core) and knowing I really make a difference in my Community. Also being appreciated and other benefits, like retirement.

Let me know your thoughts and ideas, and thank you very much for responding.

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Hi! I made the switch from pediatric hospital nursing to public health (maternal child). I absolutely love it. For myself (and a lot of PHN's), the best things are developing strong relationships with your clients, not focusing on just task oriented things (giving meds on time, running around the hospital, dealing with codes), you're focused on prevention- keeping them healthy, not getting in or back in to the hospital. To do that, you're doing a lot of education- I've felt like an educator, counselor, social worker, and nurse- and I love that. All I have are positive things to say...

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That sounds very rewarding, Lauren. :)

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Hi, I am a nursing student in Canada, and I was just wondering if new grad positions were open for public health positions in sandiego county!?

Thanks

Robyn

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