What Experience will Prepare Me for PHN?

[wanna_be]

Hello,

I've read through the threads here so I already have an idea of opportunities available to new graduates in public health/community health nursing. I am currently halfway through a two-year BSN program. I worked as a case manager for several years in FQHCs prior to nursing school, specifically with at-risk populations (HIV/AIDS positive, prisoners, undocumented women, etc); did Community-Based Participatory Research during my first degree (B.A. in Public Health) and currently work at Planned Parenthood, doing education, intakes, screenings, and injections/phlebotomy (basically a medical assistant role). I also volunteer at a school-run community health clinic.

My questions are:

1. With a strong background in case management and clinic experience, do I have a better chance of getting a public health position directly after graduation? What can I do to improve my resume? I love my job at Planned Parenthood because I get to use my clinical skills and it has allowed me to shadow mid-levels providers and get direct-patient contact; however, I worry about how this experience will look on my resume--does anyone have positive or negative experience with listing PP as an employer (i.e. negative or taboo connotation to prospective employers)?

2. What sort of jobs would be a good fit for a new grad? For example, IHS, county, FQCHs, Commissioned Corps, etc--I would love to work with any organization as long as its focus is underserved patients.

3. I know I want to continue my education to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in a community health setting--I have worked with many FNPs and am confident this is my calling. How much experience should I get as a BSN before returning to school?

Thank you for your replies!

[sourapril]

1. Any experience would help. Whether it's bedside nursing, community health center experience, home visiting experience, etc. But I don't think experience is required to enter PHN.

2. Any of the ones you described. My first job as a new grad was in a local county health department. I went through several different programs within the systems and learned a lot.

3. Work for a year, see if you like what you do, then apply to grad school. Of course you may be a fast learner or get bored easily, then maybe 6 months is enough for you to master your job. In general, you can apply to grad school when you have time and money.

Good luck!