Question about becoming an Army Public Health Nurse

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I see the Army is the only service besides the USPHSC with a public health nurse component. According to the Army medical website, you have to be nominated by the chief nurse to attend the public health nurse course after joining and doing a year in med-surg or another speciality. Is this the only way to become a public health nurse in the Army? If you join with an MPH or MSN in public health nursing (along with the BSN of course) can you automatically get the public health nurse designation upon joining or do you still have to go the previously stated other route instead? Any information on this would be helpful.

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If you look under the career and specialties of goarmy.com you will the requirements for each specialty:

If you have the one year of exp call a health care recruiter - if not, I'd try and get a year and then apply :)

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/jobs.jsp?job=66B

Requirements include:

  • Bachelor's degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or accepted by the U.S. Secretary of Education
  • Completion of a qualified course in public health nursing or one year of supervised experience
  • Must be between 21 and 42 years of age (may request a waiver)
  • Current, valid and unrestricted nursing license
  • Must be a U.S. citizen

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

Hi TM75,

Yes, I can vouch for JC's post-----I have an MSN in public health, but I actually wanted an ICU identifier (8A) not public health.

For me to come in with an "indentifier" I had to provide many copies of "the USAREC form 1212 critical care skill sets checklist" with the number of hours worked in this setting....from numerous people and from my supervisors.

It is my understanding that once you have "the identifier" on your record, you do not need to attend the 6 week --public health course (plus you already have an MSN in ph....). But they will check to make sure you have the minimal number of contact hours....

good luck,

cindy

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Thanks Just_Cause and Olderthandirt2 for answering my questions and providng information. This really helps a lot!

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tmarie,

From what I have been told, it depends upon your rank when you come in and when you can take the course. After a year, with approval, you can apply for the course.

I have a varied nursing background, which includes community health nursing. My PhD is Public Health: Community Promotion and Education which is 122 credits in length. I was told that I have to take the first 66B course, but not the second course due to my work and academic experience.

Make sure that you let your PMO know that you are interested in this type of role as from what I have been told there aren't many slots available. I have the course listed in my orders.

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What do public health army nurses do? Are they sent to disasters in foreign locales alot? What do they do conus versus oconus for example. Can anyone shed some light on that or personal experience thanks.

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What do public health army nurses do? Are they sent to disasters in foreign locales alot? What do they do conus versus oconus for example. Can anyone shed some light on that or personal experience thanks.

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Sure,

I can only tell you what I was told by several ANs. We conduct surveillance, educate soliders, work in a clinic, conduct research, provide immunizations, and other duties that are set forth by your CO. Yes, we will go to foreign lands. We also can substitute as a 66H (med/surg RN). We deploy just like the other ANs. The role is a large one and one that I do not have many answers to.

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Thanks GetnPhD for providing useful information. Good luck with that PhD! Sounds grueling, but I'm sure it will be totally worth it when you're done. How much longer do you have? What rank will you come in as? Are you joining after you complete your PhD? If so, how far in advance can you apply before completing your degree? I'm currently working on my MPH and expect to graduate next December (I can't wait until the day arrives!!). I have about 3+ years experience in Public Health Nursing and about 2-1/2 years in public health (before becoming an RN).

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tmarie,

Thanks. The program is rough. Right now I am taking 2-3 classes per quarter as that is all that I can handle and keep the 4.0. Actually, I still have three classes left and hope to start my dissertation. I plan on finishing sometime in June-Aug 2009. The program is normally supposed to take 5-6 years, but I hope to have it finished in 2.5. I actually was put on sustainment for one year because of my residencies. Ranks depend on the number of years in nursing, as well as the degree, as even if I were a nurse for a million years (which I feel like sometimes) and only had that ADN, then I still count not advance and would only be in the RC. Feel free to pm and/or email me through the hyperlink and I can address any additional questions and/or concerns that you might have.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
tmarie,

Thanks. The program is rough. Right now I am taking 2-3 classes per quarter as that is all that I can handle and keep the 4.0. Actually, I still have three classes left and hope to start my dissertation. I plan on finishing sometime in June-Aug 2009. The program is normally supposed to take 5-6 years, but I hope to have it finished in 2.5. I actually was put on sustainment for one year because of my residencies. Ranks depend on the number of years in nursing, as well as the degree, as even if I were a nurse for a million years (which I feel like sometimes) and only had that ADN, then I still count not advance and would only be in the RC. Feel free to pm and/or email me through the hyperlink and I can address any additional questions and/or concerns that you might have.

Hi Gettna,

I also am curious to what rank they are taking you in at. Are you working while you are in school? Are you paying or is the Army paying?

I am also in a PhD program (international public health), but it's on my own dime. Unfortunately, I am working full time, which is pretty miserable.....:(

cindy

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hi older,

i am paying for it, which has been quite expensive, as i have paid for my msned as well. although, i took some loans out on for my bsn. yes, going to school full time and working 64-hours/week with weekend call has been... it has been :selfbonk:, with school, work, and having to arrange my schedule so that i am available for my four younger children (4 [soon to be 5], 6, 10, and 11).

as for rank, i am coming in as a cpt. from what i have been told, they do not factor schooling into consideration of rank. my rank is due to being in nursing for the past fifteen years. i am not sure how the rc factors in schooling.

what about you, what rank will you come in at? when will your schooling finish? are you going to be able to attend school while at oblc? we will have to compare notes while we are at oblc.

my program is like getting my bsn all over again, although i had more credits with my bsn then i will with this one...but 122 credits would be equivalent to one. the majority of my courses are 4-5 credits, with a few 6 credit courses. i have taken 3 courses and a residency over the past year, in addition to work and family obligations. i plan to finish my program in 2.5 years, from the start of the program, to my defense being approved, and my transcript indicating the degree. i have only 3.5 quarters left until that happens:w00t:.

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