careers in public health nursing

[Janet Primomo]

I do wish you luck entering into a public health nursing career.  Have you
contacted your local health department for open positions?  Do that right
away.  Many community agencies employ "public health nurses" but the title
may not be that exactly.  Cast your net widely - speak to faculty at your
campus, and try to structure your community health clinical experience so
that you obtain skills in public health.  Your life experiences are
extremely valuable in public/community health.

Janet Primomo, PhD, RN		     email:  jprimomo at u.washington.edu
University of Washington, Tacoma     Phone:  (253) 692-4475 FAX:692-4424
Box 358421, 1900 Commerce Street, Tacoma WA  98402-3100


On Fri, 9 Jan 1998, Kathyton wrote:


> I would appreciate any advise from list members about a good "career path"

> into public health nursing/research.  

> I will be finishing my BSN in May, after obtaining a 2 yr RN degree in 1995.

> This is a second career for me.

>  1995 was a very tough job market for new RNs here in St. Louis and 6 months

> after graduation I eventually got a job as a nurse coordinator on a

> pharmaceutical clinical trial, then as a research assistant in several

> different medical studies.

> 

> I am hoping the BSN plus a little better job market will put me in the running

> for some clinical experience now, but I am not sure what would be the best

> plan with my interests in public health.  Being over 40, I don't feel I have

> alot of time to waste.

> For graduate education I am looking at MPH programs, or perhaps FNP.

> 

> Any advise from those that have "been there, done that" would be greatly

> appreciated.  thanks.

> 

> Kathy Brown

> Kathyton at AOL.com

> BJC Health System

> Washington University School of Medicine

> St. Louis, Mo.

>