How to Become a Public Health Nurse

While most registered nurses (RNs) treat individual patients, those in public health advocate for the health of entire communities. Public health nurses (PHNs) work in healthcare teams to provide education and disease prevention within these communities, focusing on high-risk populations.

Fast Facts

The American Public Health Association (APHA) defines public health nursing as "the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences" (2013).

Following this definition, PHNs work to promote and protect community health by collaborating with healthcare teams to deliver healthcare education and disease prevention to groups. Instead of treating acute health conditions, they focus on long-term health, safety, disease prevention, and improving a community's access to care.

PHN Patient Populations

Public health nurses often serve underprivileged populations in the US and around the world. They deliver education and care to at-risk populations and are particularly active during public health crises. Some examples of groups PHNs work with include unhoused people, the elderly, or immigrant communities.

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The role of a public health nurse involves prevention, education, advocacy, activism, assessment, and evaluation of public health. They focus on disease prevention within high-risk communities through education and support.

Some duties a PHN nurse may take on to support these goals include:

• Assessing health trends to identify risk factors in specific communities
  
  
• Prioritizing health-related interventions
  
  
• Advocating for healthcare access in underserved communities
  
  
• Designing & implementing health education campaigns and activities
  
  
• Distributing information about local health programs and services
  
  
• Providing health care services to at-risk populations

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Like other nursing specialties, the first step to becoming a PHN is earning your registered nursing license. Then, you'll gain relevant working experience and earn a public health nursing certification.

Step 1. Attend an Accredited Nursing Program

You can attend a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to become an RN.

While both degrees qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, the public health nurse certification requires a BSN. So, you may start with an ADN, but you need to work up to your bachelor's before earning your PHN credentials.

Step 2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Examination

After graduating from nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse. This test assesses whether you have the clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and abilities needed to become an entry-level nurse.

Step 3. Gain Experience

While not necessary for many entry-level PHN jobs, bedside experience has undeniable benefits. For example, working as a staff nurse can help guide your career decisions, leading you toward public health or a specialty more suited to your interests. 

Additionally, bedside experience can help you land better public health nursing jobs. Not only will it increase your confidence, but it will also fill your resume with impressive, relevant accomplishments that give you a competitive edge. 

Step 4. Earn a Public Health Nursing Certification

Like other public health professionals, PHNs can earn the Certified Public Health credential. While not specific to nursing, this certification showcases your knowledge and skills in the public health sciences. Earning and maintaining this credential signifies your dedication to excellence in the field.

Eligibility requirements for the CPH include:

• A bachelor's degree in any concentration and at least five years of experience working in public health OR
• A relevant graduate degree and three years of experience working in public health OR
• A graduate-level public health certificate from a CEPH-accredited or applicant school and three years of experience working in public health

The computer-based exam costs $385, and retakes cost $150. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, which you'll have four hours to complete. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that RNs earn a median annual salary of $86,070  per year, or $41.38 per hour. Comparatively, Indeed reveals that public health nurses earn $72,827 per year, slightly less than the national average.

Highest Paying States for Public Health Nurses

Currently, the states with the highest annual public health nurse salary are as follows:

• Alaska: $91,663
• Massachusetts: $90,362
• Washington: $86,947
• Nevada: $86,668
• Colorado: $85,212

Source: ZipRecruiter, Extracted 21 March 2024

Public Health Nurse Salary by Years of Experience

Payscale reports an annual salary of $71,803 per year or $32.61 per hour. They add that public health nurses can earn a higher annual salary with increased years of experience.

• Less than one year of experience earns an average hourly wage of $26.96
• 1-4 years of experience earns an average hourly wage of $30.72
• 5-9 years of experience earns an average hourly wage of $30.55
• 10-19 years of experience earns an average hourly wage of $32.79
• 20+ years of experience earns an average hourly wage of $31.07

How to Make More Money as a Public Health Nurse

You can optimize your public health nursing salary by pursuing jobs in high-paying workplaces. Although PHNs can work in several environments, those working in a private office setting tend to earn the most.

Additionally, advanced education, experience, and certifications can help increase your salary. These factors make you eligible for higher-paid PHN positions and give you leverage during salary negotiations.

Earning an advanced degree in public health can also advance your career and salary. Several Master's of Public Health jobs pay nearly six figures or more.

Zippia reports that public health nursing jobs will grow by 6% from 2018 to 2018. This prediction is on par with the growth trend for all nurses. According to the BLS, all nursing jobs will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, creating an additional 177,400 nursing jobs.

Public health nurses can work in various environments, including:

While many public health nurses work flexible hours based on the needs of their community, others have a fixed schedule. In any environment, PHNs will work more hours during public health crises and immediately following.

In addition to continuing education units (CEUs) required to maintain their RN license, public health nurses must complete CEUs for their certifications. 

RN License Renewal

Each state has its own continuing education standards for registered nurses. In most cases, you'll need to complete a specific number of CEUs, complete an application, and pay a nominal fee. To learn more about your state's requirements, read our guide to RN CEUs by state.

Certified Public Health Recertification

You must renew the CPH credential every two years. During that time, you must complete at least 30 units of recertification activities. Additionally, you must complete and submit a renewal application and fee.

Advanced Public Health Nursing ReCertification

The Advanced Public Health Nursing Certification is no longer available but is still open for renewal if you already have it. Every five years, individuals with this credential must:

• Complete 75 continuing education hours
• Earn 5 semester or 6 quarter credits of academic courses in public health
• Attend one or more presentations related to public health nursing totaling 5 hours
• Pay a $350 renewal fee

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To find out more information about Public Health nursing, check out these websites:

• Association of Public Health Nurses 
• American Public Health Association 
• Association of Community Health Nursing Educators 
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing 
• American Nurses Association

Public health nursing is a dynamic and ever-changing field. These nurses have the power to make real change when educating the public and helping solve potential crises. They are at the forefront of different pandemics across the globe, and now more than ever, they are of the utmost importance to the nursing profession. 

• What is a public health nurse?

  • A public health nurse promotes and protects the community and its health through disease prevention, health education, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

• What does a public health nurse do?

  • Public health nurses respond directly to public health crises ranging from outbreaks of different diseases to natural disasters.

• What is the difference between a public health nurse and a registered nurse?

  • Registered nurse refers to any nurse with an ADN or BSN degree who passed the NCLEX exam. Public health nurses are a type of RN with specialized training that prepares them to address public health crises.

• Is being a public health nurse a good career?

  • The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of the ongoing need for public health experts. Not only is public health nursing a rewarding career, but it's also very stable since public health professionals are always in demand.

• Do public health nurses work in hospitals?

  • Public health nurses can work in a hospital; however, this is uncommon. Most public health nurses work in a community setting, including outpatient clinics, health departments, and global health organizations

$70,000 - $90,000 Bachelors Non-Bedside RN Public Health