subject: There Are Three Options For Public Health Nursing [print this page] As opposed to individual nursing, the public health nurse assesses entire communities. They take such things as the environment into account in looking for potential problems to the communities' health. They will then educate the public on issues such as living healthier lifestyles, and avoiding injury and illness. To take part in public health nursing you need to become certified.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
American Nurses Credentialing Center provides certification in many nursing specialties, and in public health nursing as well. Renewal for this certification is every five years after passing an exam.
The exam is computer-based, so nurses can test at any time and from any location. The cost to take the exam ranges from $270 to $390 as of March 2010, with discounts available to nurses that are members of the American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, or National Association of Clinic Nurse Specialists.
The ANCC offers three options for nurses that wish to become certified in public health nursing.
Option A
Registered nurses with graduate degrees in public or community health nursing can apply for the Advanced Public Health Nurse - Board Certified (APHN-BC) credential. As a clinical nurse specialist you have the option to receive your Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified, or (PHCNS-BC) certification.
Option B
If you have a bachelor or master's degree in public health nursing, you can apply for an APHN - BC certification. Many colleges offer a master's degree for public health.
Option C
If you have 2,000 hours of clinical experience in public health nursing, with a graduate degree, a registered nurse can apply for the APHN-BC. If nurses hold a graduate degree in something other than nursing, they must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Need for Certification
Public health nurses who are certified command higher salaries, as this shows a mastery of the education needed to be effective in public health.
There Are Three Options For Public Health Nursing
By: steven swihart
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