PHNs work to improve healthcare delivery, access, and safety within communities. This career guide explores the role of a PHN, work settings, specific skills, educational pathways, and licensing requirements.
PHNs promote and protect community health by combining nursing training with knowledge from the social sciences. These nurses help specific targeted communities stay healthy and safe. Depending on community needs, PHNs perform a variety of duties in administration, education, advocacy, and assessment.
Because they serve entire communities rather than one patient at a time, PHNs do not always work in the usual settings that employ other registered nurses (RNs), such as hospitals and clinics. Instead, they find positions in government public health departments, community agencies, schools, correctional facilities, and voluntary organizations, providing critical healthcare services and carrying out research, education, and administrative functions. Common settings and roles for PHNs include these worksites:
Because of its overall focus on at-risk and vulnerable groups, public health nursing typically appeals to RNs who want to promote wellness, educate others, and ensure healthcare access for entire communities. Despite its challenges, public health nursing offers significant personal and professional rewards for nurses committed to positively affecting populations in need.
To become a public health nurse, students must first complete their nursing education and RN licensure requirements. PHNs may pursue the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) certificate in public health (CPH) credential. NBPHE offers several pathways to be eligible for the certification exam.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment for all RNs to grow by 7% through 2029, including those with public health certification. Career and salary prospects for PHN jobs will continue to expand as government agencies direct more attention to preventive care and health education.
PHNs need the skills to work with diverse populations, often in underserved and low-income communities. Bilingual nurses who are fluent in English and Spanish should enjoy expanding employment opportunities.
According to PayScale, PHNs earn a national median salary of $58,230. These nurses can expect to begin their careers drawing a median salary of $50,710, rising to $57,300 by midcareer, and $66,510 for PHNs with over 10 years of experience.
Nurses typically work alongside other medical staff in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient facilities, where they care for individual patients. Although PHNs may perform similar clinical services, they usually focus on community healthcare, illness prevention, and wellness promotion. Many work for government or nonprofit agencies, responding to healthcare crises and trends and formulating educational and policy initiatives.
The scope of PHN practice emphasizes policy reform, education, advocacy, and health promotion to improve overall community health outcomes. While often trained in public health, community health nurses work directly with individuals, groups, and families within specific communities, applying their clinical training to serve patients who may not be able to pay for or access healthcare services.
PHNs complement their training in clinical nursing and public health sciences with organizational and communication skills. They must work well in groups, as both team leaders and members, and become adept at managing scarce resources and prioritizing their efforts to achieve results. These professionals must listen to all community stakeholders, remaining open and sensitive to cultural differences.
A graduate degree in public health opens doors to an array of rewarding careers in healthcare administration, policy, and education. Graduates with a master of public health (MPH) find positions in fields as diverse as epidemiology and infection control, biostatistics, health informatics, and disaster management. RNs interested in public health may pursue dual MPH and master’s in nursing programs.
Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.
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