How to Become a Public Health Nurse
- What Is a Public Health Nurse?
- Steps to Become
- Education Options
- Licensure and Certification
- Employment
- FAQ
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: kate_sept2004 / E+ / Getty ImagesNurses work in many specialty areas, including public health. But what is a public health nurse (PHN)?
PHNs improve health and well-being by focusing on disease prevention, health education, and public safety. Many work with under-resourced social groups and communities, advocating for measures and policies that improve quality of life.
Is public health nursing a good fit for you? Our guide covers how to become a public health nurse, including job requirements, career paths, and salary data.
How Long to Become
4 Years
Degree Required
BSN
Optional Certification
CPH
What Is a Public Health Nurse?
PHNs are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in public health. Also known as community health nurses, PHNs identify and address health problems among diverse communities and populations. Many PHNs specialize in a particular facet of health, such as infectious disease control, access to healthcare, or behavioral health. Behavioral health includes mental health care or, specifically, opioid crisis response.
The responsibilities of a PHN include:
- Delivering nursing care in health clinics, such as administering immunizations
- Educating communities on preventative care and wellness
- Designing and delivering health promotion programs
- Creating training programs for other public health professionals
- Improving health status through targeted interventions
- Preparing for emergencies or public health crises
PHNs also advocate for policies that address social issues, such as the population’s overall health or access to care.
Steps to Becoming a Public Health Nurse
Becoming a PHN starts with earning a nursing degree. PHNs typically need a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) for entry-level roles. Here are the steps that PHNs take to work in this nursing specialty:
- 1
Earn a BSN Degree
Most careers in public health nursing require a four-year BSN. Students with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) can enroll in an RN-to-BSN bridge program, and those with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field can apply for an accelerated BSN program.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX to Receive RN Licensure
In every state, RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to qualify for a license. After passing the NCLEX-RN, nurses apply for their RN license from their state board of nursing.
- 3
Gain Experience in Public Health Nursing
RNs can gain experience in public health or community health nursing at nonprofit organizations, hospitals, or health systems. PHNs benefit from working with specific populations, such as under-resourced communities, or in a particular specialty, such as behavioral or youth health. Other ways to gain public health experience include working for federally qualified health centers or in rural communities.
- 4
Consider Becoming Certified
Earning specialty certification validates RNs’ knowledge and experience. The only accrediting body that certifies RNs for PHN status is the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), which awards the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential.
Public Health Nurse Education
An ADN is the fastest educational pathway to becoming an RN, but many employers require a BSN. PHNs who want to advance their education can consider a graduate degree to specialize in advanced practice nursing, administration, or nursing education.
ADN Degree
An ADN degree takes two years to complete and typically requires a high school diploma or GED certificate for admission. Tuition is usually lower than a BSN and is the shortest and fastest path to licensure.
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate is required; some programs require a 2.0 or higher GPA
- Program Curriculum: Emphasis on practical nursing skills, with coursework in physiology, health assessment, and medical-surgical nursing
- Time to Complete: Two years
- Skills Learned: Practical nursing skills, including patient care, conducting tests, collecting patient data, and patient safety
BSN Degree
A four-year BSN degree covers more of the theory of healthcare and nursing than an ADN. Coursework in community nursing and nursing leadership can be valuable for public health RNs. However, it is typically more expensive per credit hour and takes longer to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Requirements vary by school but typically include a 3.0 GPA and a high school diploma or GED certificate. More competitive schools may require a 3.25 or higher GPA and/or successful science and math coursework.
- Program Curriculum: Practical nursing skills, patient communication and education, an understanding of how the healthcare system works, and disease prevention
- Time to Complete: Four years
- Skills Learned: Patient care and safety, infection control, communication and education, and basic health research.
Further Education
PHNs who want to advance their education can earn a graduate degree with a focus on public health. These programs, which take 1-4 years, prepare PHNs for greater responsibilities and a higher earning potential.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Specializing in public health, nurse education, or nursing administration can prepare RNs for leadership roles in public health organizations. MSN programs also prepare advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
- MPH Degree: A master of public health (MPH) prepares nurses for management or other advanced positions in public health. The curriculum includes advanced public health, public policy, epidemiology, and social determinants of health classes. PHNs can also consider a dual degree MSN-MPH.
- DNP Degree: The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree with a concentration in public health prepares APRNs for important roles in public health, including leadership positions.
Public Health Nurse Licensure and Certification
RNs, including those who specialize in public health, must hold a license from their state board of nursing. Nursing schools typically help students navigate this process, including applying for a license, submitting NCLEX-RN scores, and meeting any state-specific requirements.
PHNs may choose to pursue the certified public health (CPH) credential from NBPHE. This credential recognizes nurses with expertise in public health. To become a CPH nurse, candidates must have either a BSN or MSN and five years of experience in public health (or a graduate degree and three years of experience).
Although not required, certification demonstrates your knowledge of and commitment to public health, and many employers strongly prefer or require it.
Public Health Nurse Job and Salary Outlook
Working as a PHN offers many options and opportunities. PHNs earn an average salary of $75,290, according to February 2025 Payscale data.
PHNs can work in different specialties within the public health sector, including with specific communities or populations. They also work with international public health groups.
Work settings for PHNs include:
- Government departments
- Hospitals
- Community centers
- Schools and universities
- Nonprofit organizations
- Occupational health programs
- Public health consulting groups
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Public Health Nurse
Public health nursing can be a fulfilling career, especially for nurses interested in non-bedside nursing positions. Public health nurses focus on health and disease prevention through community education and advocacy.
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