careers in public health nursing

[Kathleen Woodall]

Public Health Nursing is certainly a rewarding career with many options
available.  Clinical experience is extremely important including good basic
nursing skills.  Working with clients and understanding the issues they face is
the foundation for good practice whether it be in PH education, administration,
policy, etc.  Spend some time with yourself analyzing your strengths and
weaknesses, likes and dislikes, life experience, etc. to determine what you
would like to do with your future.  That will help you focus on how to direct
your job selection to best address your long term goals.  Whatever you do,
choose a job in an ambulatory setting, whether primary care, maternal and child
health, peds, family planning, infectious disease, etc.  With  much of the
traditional ph direct service delivery being contracted out, "public health"
nursing jobs may be available with private providers.  Look at the private
non-profits - Community Health Centers, some HMOs, agencies serving homeless,
teens, etc.  Look in your community services directory for ideas. Most social
workers will have them.  Sometimes agencies are listed in the blue pages of your
phone book.  Do research on the organization and possibly informational
interviews to see if they might have what you are looking for.  Clinics through
university educational programs often receive federal and/or state funds, and
perform "ph" work.  Anything with case management, home visiting, children with
special health care needs, etc.  Go to the internet and look for publicly funded
programs that might be in your area.  Federal dollars often go to special
programs - there are many through Administration for Children and Families,
Maternal Child Health Bureau, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Office of
Population Affairs, and others.  Follow the funding streams.  The jobs will be
where the dollars are.

In my experience, agencies are frequently looking for good, enthusiastic persons
with a capacity for growth, especially those with some maturity.  The problem
tends to be low pay.  Your position in life will be an asset.  You can get
further faster.  Don't neglect the basic experience though.  A BSN with an MPH
is an excellent combination.  I  found my MPH coursework to be applicable
immediately.  I am also a Women's Health Care NP.  Long response, but maybe some
helpful ideas.If you want, you may call me.

Kathleen Woodall                        214-767-3482
Regional Nurse Consultant                   e-mail kwoodall at hrsa.dhhs.gov
US Department of Health and Human Services
 Region VI (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX)