Public Health as a New Grad?

Specialties Public/Community

Published

Hi all,

I’m graduating in two months with my BSN, living in California. I’m Precepting on a med-surg unit and I really just can’t myself doing it as a job, and certainly not for long. We’re also doing community health at the same time and I LOVE that. I was expecting to like it but I’m enjoying it even more than I expected. It feels a lot more natural and I feel better suited to it. I feel like I would enjoy it more and would find it more fulfilling than bedside, not to mention things like not killing my back and not having to work nights and weekends. I’m a little concerned about closing off my options if I were to go straight into public health but I’ve decided I’d like to pursue it as one of my options. Does anyone have any feedback on whether it’s reasonable to start off in public health or whether doing at least a year of med surg is super necessary? Or any advice on getting hired in public or community health? Any advice or commentary would be appreciated :)

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Specializes in Community health.

Me me! I graduated in December and I am now working at a Federally Qualified Health Center. It is an amazing experience so far.

I had wonderful clinicals and got so much acute care experience. But I just knew it wasn’t where I wanted to be. The number one, hands-down thing I love is educating patients. There’s obviously a lot of that in bedside nursing, but in Community, it’s almost 100% of the job.

”How do I learn to control my diabetes on my own, after being in prison for years, where food choices were made for me?”

”I don’t understand why my child needs so many shots, when we are refugees from a country where vaccines are not readily available”

”The doctor said I need a Blood Pressure Check but I don’t know what that means.”

I mean, side note, I work 9-5 and the center is closed on holidays. Haha, which is not exactly a drawback! I know Community isn’t right for all nurses, but for me it’s a perfect fit right now.

In the interview they did ask “Why are you skipping med-surge?” And I had to be articulate about how Community was where my passion is. But really, quite a few of the nurses were hired right out of school, so it seems to be a non issue.

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I do think that hospital experience is so, so important, but it sounds like you found your passion.

I'm in CA also. I recommend looking at state jobs as well as county. The benefits are good, and most jobs are weekends/holidays off. www.jobs.ca.gov

State Dept Public Health, Dept Health Care Services, Dept State Hospitals, State Dept Veterans Affairs, Dept of Aging are examples of some depts that hire RNs.

I work for the state. Feel free to message me for any questions.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

I think you CAN (and I love public health).

The problem is that if you ever want to go to acute care - even for an outpatient job at a hospital - you will only have ambulatory care experience. So you'll miss out on opportunities.

I'm glad you found something you think you like. Remember, your job the first year of nursing is to safely transition to competent practice. The way you do this involves seeing what's not normal. In ambulatory care, that's a lot more rare. Good luck!

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On 3/20/2019 at 9:27 AM, Golden_RN said:

I do think that hospital experience is so, so important, but it sounds like you found your passion.

I'm in CA also. I recommend looking at state jobs as well as county. The benefits are good, and most jobs are weekends/holidays off. www.jobs.ca.gov

State Dept Public Health, Dept Health Care Services, Dept State Hospitals, State Dept Veterans Affairs, Dept of Aging are examples of some depts that hire RNs.

I work for the state. Feel free to message me for any questions.

Is it difficult to work or be hired fir the state? Im planning phn or working for state. Right now, Im Gaining experience working in a snf.

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15 hours ago, delish2015 said:

Is it difficult to work or be hired fir the state? Im planning phn or working for state. Right now, Im Gaining experience working in a snf.

It's not difficult, but it is a lengthy process. In a nutshell, you have to pass an exam and get on the list for each job classification you are interested in. Only then can you apply for posted jobs. I think it took me about 5 months to complete the process and get a job offer. The "exam" that I have seen for nursing jobs are just showing your experience/education. Other state jobs often require a written or verbal test.

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If you apply with the state Be prepared to wait for an interview and then to potentially wait some more for a second interview, and then yet more waiting for a job offer and actually starting. State government is Slooooooow. Also, you’ll need solid assessment skills. I work in family planning/STD and often have patients come in with other issues going on. I would recommend paying your dues in a hospital job for a year or two and then moving into PH. My state requires a year of experience for PHRN’s. Good luck to you!

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Golden_RN_MSN,

I tried to message you privately but it won't allow me for some reason. If I could I'd like to ask you some questions. I have an interview with my county for a PHN position. I would love to get some insight into what I can brush up on and what type of interview questions I could prepare for. 

I do have 2 years of inpatient med-surg experience but the rest of my experience is in an ambulatory surgery center. 

I hope you see this message, as I would simply love to get into the public health field. 

TIA

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Specializes in retired LTC.

AndTheyCallTheWind - you're a fairly new member here. You have to have a certain number of 'quality' regular posts before you can PM through.

I believe it cuts down on any trolling members trying to contact members just for the 'troll' jollies. 

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