Public Health Nurse (PHN) Career Overview

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.

average program length

2-4 years

job outlook

7% projected increase from 2019-2029

average earning potential

$45,000-$91,000

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Does a PHN Do?

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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assessing healthcare needs and risk factors and setting priorities for targeted interventions
• Advocating for and developing public policy, targeted health promotion, and disease prevention for specific communities and population groups
• Evaluating available healthcare services and facilitating access to and use of these services

• Working with interdisciplinary teams to identify, anticipate, and respond to public health concerns
• Providing health education, care management, and direct primary care to members of vulnerable communities and at-risk populations

Where Do PHNs Work?

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:

Why Become a PHN?

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.

How To Become a PHN

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.

Graduate with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a BSN.

Although associate degree holders may earn RN licensure, most public health employers hire RNs who have completed at least a BSN from an accredited nursing program.

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn RN licensure.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers this national examination, which verifies nursing knowledge and competencies required for state licensure.

Complete the necessary public health certification prerequisites.

These include either a bachelor's degree in any concentration and a minimum of five years of public health work experience; a relevant graduate degree with at least three years of public health work experience; or a certificate from a school or program of public health accredited by CEPH and three years of public health work experience.

Improve your job prospects by passing the CPH exam.

Although the CPH is a voluntary credential, many employers prefer to hire CPH-certified public health professionals.

How Much Do PHNs Make?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional Organizations for PHNs

• Association of Public Health Nurses

  APHN advances the practice of public health nursing. The association advocates for professional standards, provides educational opportunities, and establishes national policy on public health issues. Students enrolled in public health nursing programs may apply for a reduced membership rate.

• American Public Health Association

  Representing over 25,000 public health professionals and advocates for public health issues and policies, APHA influences federal public health policies and conducts public awareness campaigns. APHA also hosts an annual meeting and expo. Student members are automatically enrolled in the nation's largest student-led public health organization, APHA Student Assembly.

• Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health

  ASPPH represents public health schools and programs accredited by CEPH. The association recognizes contributions to research and practice by conferring faculty and staff at its member institutions with awards. Current students and graduates may apply for practice-based training opportunities through ASPPH fellowship and internship programs.

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