Public health with MS- nurse educator

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Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.

Hello public health nurses,

Does anyone here work in the field of public health with a non-clinical Masters? I will graduate soon with my MSN, nurse educator concentration. My plan when I began was to try and teach clinicals at a college or something. I am realizing though, that what I'd really like to in the near future is provide education for patients and families. My clinical background is NICU, with a chunk of lactation counseling as well. I enjoy this population but I am not opposed to moving on to other populations as well. Is there such a thing as a health education nurse? Where would I seek out these opportunities? The only thing I can think of is Health Departments. Do you think my Masters focus in education will hinder me? I see there are some MSN- public health options, but they were not on my radar when I was choosing a program.

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Specializes in public health.

Diabetes educator. It doesn't require a master degree just diabetes certification. They usually work in a clinic, do patient education all day long.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Nurse Family Partnership

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Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.

Thanks to you both. I had not considered diabetes- it's a good prospect!

I am not familiar with nurse family partnership but it basically sounds like my dream job! Thanks!

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Specializes in public health.

I don't know where you are, but my friend who works for a county health department in CA works as a nurse family partnership nurse, and they give her a prius for work and an ipad to chart.

Thanks to you both. I had not considered diabetes- it's a good prospect!

I am not familiar with nurse family partnership but it basically sounds like my dream job! Thanks!

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

I have a similar dilemma. I know I want to teach community health and staff development, also teaching new nurses is not something I am against. I went back and forth on whether or not to go for a masters in public health or msn with a focus in community health. I really like the population I work with in Labor and delivery. Teaching childbirth education and being able to have some autonomy with that also appeals to me. In the end I think I can do more with a masters in nursing education and then get a certification in OB. For my purposes it covers all bases because with an msn you can teach in schools, clinicals, staff development and in the community. The certification in OB would be my specialization. At least I hope that makes sense. I'm sure some MSN prepared nurses teach in the community because I have noticed a community component to the MSN programs I have looked into.

I also noticed the diabetes teaching but I would like to be able to teach a variety of things outside of the umbrella of diabetes, exercise and nutrition. I realize I don't know much about diabetes ed so maybe someone who does this can offer tips.

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Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.

It does make sense, at least to me. Glad to know someone has had a similar thought process!

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I totally relate to all of you! I'm In that dilemma also, although I haven't taken my NCLEX yet, but I was a public health nurse in my country and I have a BSN. I worked 6 years in a health center. And as a RN in a undeveloped country you pretty much do everything! I had to manage, 18 programs, I was the midwife on weekends and I was the nurse administrator in the health center. (Everything goes in the same position). Aaa! and lets not forget that i was doing outreach in schools, colleges and universities about STD's, So right now my dilemma is that I love teaching and I love Midwife and..... Kind of love all.

And my heart is braking with the idea of not knowing what part of public health nursing I want to work. :(

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