starting as a Public Health Nurse

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Hello everyone! I just find passed my Nclex-Rn 1 month ago. I just applied for 2 jobs as a PHN and in 1 they offered me a position.

I'm very happy and excited to start working there. But EVERYBODY is saying me that I should be starting in a hospital instead.

I know hospital jobs are hard to find. But I also know that PH is the area I want to work. Do you think I should look for a per diem or part time in the hospital too to get my experience?

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As a new grad myself if public health is where you want to be then take the job! Nursing isn't just iv starts, foleys and ng tubes. My friend from school could only find a job on a psych unit and now she really likes it. I tell her how terrible my days are and how I am literally running from room to room my whole shift. She never had medical floor experience and doesn't want to work on a medical floor so I don't see the need to work in a hospital. I think if you wanted to work in a hospital then maybe hold out but since you want to be a PHN then take the job and roll with it. I don't believe that having floor experience is necessary all the time. Be happy you landed a job without floor experience. I find that all RN positions that are not at a hospital require hospital experience so in my opinion your crazy lucky to have landed a job in the area you want to be! Good luck!

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Thank you! And I agree. Nursing has more to offer than bedside experience. I wish everyone could get that :)

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OP, what will you be doing EXACTLY???

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I will be working as a Welcome Baby Rn in the community. I will get certified as a lactator educator. Well baby and mother baby assessment. With 90% latino population

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That sounds great! I say go for it. I do community health as well, but I visit patients homes. I've never worked in the hospital. However, my LPN bedside experience helped me with this position. This is WHY I asked what you will be doing. That sounds like a sweet job. I've always wanted to be in LnD or postpartum. I've now set my mind to think that u will never do med surg bedside nursing and I don't feel it's necessary. Nursing is so broad. Best of luck to you!

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Thank you

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That sounds great! I say go for it. I do community health as well but I visit patients homes. I've never worked in the hospital. However, my LPN bedside experience helped me with this position. This is WHY I asked what you will be doing. That sounds like a sweet job. I've always wanted to be in LnD or postpartum. I've now set my mind to think that u will never do med surg bedside nursing and I don't feel it's necessary. Nursing is so broad. Best of luck to you![/quote']

Thank you for your post! Nursing is very rewarding when you help others not to get sick!. Preventative nursing is also important

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Specializes in public health.

I think with the Spanish language and lactation certificate you can be marketable as a RN on mom/baby floor in a metro hospital with large Hispanic population....if you want to go back to bedside nursing that is. Personally I love public health so much there is just no way I can work in a hospital.

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My first RN job was as a PHN. I never wanted to work in the hospital so I was happy when I landed that job! I haven't met anyone yet that loves working in the hospital so I have never felt I was missing out on anything.

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Specializes in Public Health.

I'm hoping to start as a PHN fresh out of school. Public health is my passion, and I just don't think I'd be as fulfilled in an acute care position. I learned to ignore those few discouraging voices, and am pushing toward my goal. Good luck!

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My first RN job was as a PHN. I never wanted to work in the hospital so I was happy when I landed that job! I haven't met anyone yet that loves working in the hospital so I have never felt I was missing out on anything.

I've never met a happy hospital nurse. I LOVE my job!! I honestly don't feel like I get up and go to work every day. Public Health is my niche. When I worked in the nursing home, I felt so OVER worked and UNDER paid. I always thought about working in the hospital, but was never called for a hospital job after applying many times. I refuse to sit down and cry about it. I also refuse to let OTHERS dictate my path and my destiny. I will do what I love/want to do!

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