You will be an occupational health nurse, which is responsible for promoting and maintaining workers’ health in various settings. You will need to understand occupational health hazards well and how to control them. Additionally, you must be able to provide advice and support to workers on a number of health and safety issues.
If you are interested in becoming an health nurse, then follow these five steps:
-
Complete a degree:
To become an occupational nurse, you must complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and post-graduate training. The requirements for becoming an occupational health nurse vary from state to state. Still, you typically need two years or more of professional experience as an RN before applying for entry-level positions.
-
Get Work Experience:
You must gain some practical experience while studying to know what it’s like to work as an occupational nurse before you start working full-time after qualifying. A placement year during your degree may provide this opportunity but if not, look for an internship or volunteer role in your local area.
-
Complete Post-Graduate Training:
You must complete a postgraduate diploma or degree course in occupational health services. You will learn about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of occupational diseases and injuries. You will also learn how to assess the risk of workplace hazards and how to control them.
-
Obtain a Licence:
The first step in becoming a health nurse is obtaining a licence from your state. You can determine what requirements are needed in your state by contacting the appropriate licensing board or agency. These requirements may include passing an exam and meeting certain educational requirements. You should be aware that licensure requirements vary from state to state.
-
Get Certified:
To work as an occupational health nurse in most countries, you must obtain certification from an approved organization such as the American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANA offers two levels of certification. Associate Occupational Health Nurse (AOHN) and Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN). Both certifications require continuing education credits every year that you hold the credential.
Conclusion:
Becoming an occupational health nurse requires time, effort and money. Make sure you weigh your options before deciding on this career move. Is this the right career path for you? Many rewarding careers are available to qualified nurses, including becoming an occupational health nurse.
