Occupational Health Nurse Career Overview

OHNs carry out an array of roles and duties as caregivers, administrators, educators, and consultants. Depending on their employment setting, these RNs collaborate with other healthcare professionals, business and human resources managers, government officials, and security specialists. Key responsibilities include the following:

RNs can find OHN jobs in clinical and nonclinical settings.

Many OHNs work in these settings, treating patients with work-related injuries and illnesses, providing emergency services, and conducting drug and alcohol screening.

These nurses’ duties vary by employer. They may conduct pre-employment examinations, create employee fitness programs, and serve as case managers for insurance claims.

Government agencies employ OHNs to conduct risk assessment research, develop industry-wide safety regulations, and create emergency preparedness policies.

While not as widely known as other nursing specialties, a career as an OHN offers significant personal and professional fulfillment promoting wellness and safety in diverse work environments.

Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide data specific to OHNs, the organization projects an average of 175,900 openings for all RNs from 2019 to 2029. According to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses’ 2018 compensation survey, the median OHN salary has increased by 11% since 2013. In 2018, OHNs earned an average salary approaching $87,000.

Compensation varies by type of certification and degree level. Those with COHN-S and COHN-S/Case Manager certifications enjoy significantly higher salaries, making $95,150 and $97,150 a year respectively. OHNs who hold a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice degree can expect average annual salaries over $100,000.

Industries must implement workplace wellness and safety plans to comply with U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that protect employees. Increasingly, corporations hire on-site OHNs to help them achieve compliance, reduce costs due to injuries and illness, and reduce workers’ compensation and disability claims.

COHN certifications, graduate degrees, and advanced practice RN training prepare prospective OHNs for the most rewarding career paths. These credentials ready candidates for management positions implementing health and safety protocols and administering budgets for programs and staff. OHNs also take supervisory positions in case management, overseeing policies and claims. As consultants, they conduct research and advise corporate clients in disease prevention, emergency preparedness, or legislative compliance.

Prospective OHNs usually earn a BSN, which can take up to four years in a traditional program, and then apply for an RN license. A master’s or doctoral program requires 2-5 more years of study. Many employers prefer to hire nurses with occupational health certifications that require a minimum of 3,000 clinical hours.

The COHN certification focuses primarily on clinical practice. This credential best serves nurses who spend more than 50% of their time providing direct patient care and performing tasks such as spirometry or audiology. Nurses who spend more than half of their time in management and administrative practice, engaging in policy development, program planning, and budget and fiscal areas, benefit from COHN-S certification.

An LPN/LVN may work as an OHN only under an RN or a medical supervisor. These positions require a high school diploma and completion of an approved LPN/LVN program. While LPNs/LVNs may find job opportunities in occupational health, most employers prefer to hire COHN-certified RNs who hold BSNs or graduate degrees.

OHNs typically enter the field after earning an undergraduate nursing degree with specialties or gaining clinical experience in ambulatory care, critical care, emergency nursing, or community health. OHNs may decide to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree to strengthen their professional competencies in advanced practice nursing, public health, and business.