According to the American Public Health Association, public health nursing is defined as “…the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences.” Instead of being stationed in a hospital or clinic setting, public health nurses reach out to patients in the community. This allows them to assess their environment, available resources, and potential health care needs.

Becoming a Public Health Nurse

Since specific patient populations are the focus of public health nursing, those interested in this specialty should be able to see the “big picture” in terms of community health needs. The assessment does not just focus on one patient—it involves the patient, the family, and the home and work environment—any factor that may affect the health of members of the community. Nurses must have exceptional assessment skills, be able to work independently, have a desire to lead and act as a role model, and have a lot of patience.

Additionally, many public health nurses work with underprivileged families, which can be emotionally draining. Public health nurses should be able to emotionally handle difficult cases and have a dedicated support system.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Public Health Nurse?

Those interested in the specialty of public health nursing should first pursue a nursing degree through a two or four-year university. Obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a requirement. However, BSN degrees are recommended for entry-level public health nursing.

Upon completion of an accredited nursing program, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN in order to be eligible for licensure.

Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) nurses can advance their public health nursing practice to include leadership roles and research. For example, those involved in research can identify health and disease trends, patterns, and study outbreaks to find ways to improve the health of a community.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Certification in an area of public health nursing is sometimes required. Some BSN nursing programs incorporate public health nursing courses within the nursing program. Graduates can then apply for certification through the state nursing board. For nursing programs that do not have a public health focus, various educational institutions can fulfill the required curricula. Educational needs are dependent on the academic background of the applicant. The basic required coursework should include:

• Community health nursing
• Family-centered care
• Multicultural nursing care
• Nursing assessment

Nurses interested in public health certification should contact their state’s Board of Nursing to verify requirements.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) at one time offered an Advanced Public Health Nurse-Board Certified (APHN-BC) credential. However, this certification is now available for renewal only. The ANCC has begun offering a National Healthcare Disaster Certification (NHDP-BC) that may be of interest to public health nurses.

Read more for further clarity on public health nurse certifications.

Where Do Public Health Nurses Work?

Public health nurses provide many services and therefore can work in a variety of settings. Institutions may include:

• County health departments
• City health departments
• Federal health-related organizations
• Private public-health agencies
• Mobile units providing health care services

Public health nurses provide a wide variety of services depending on the place of employment. Specifically, public health nurses:

• Provide screening tests for specific populations
• Provide immunizations to adults and children
• Provide nutrition education for various programs, including the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program
• Collect data and look for trends/patterns in disease outbreaks
• Educate and treat infectious diseases, to include sexually transmitted diseases
• Educate high-risk populations (drug users, prostitutes, etc.) on healthy behavior and disease prevention
• Assist patients and families in psychosocial health to include effective communication, intimate partner violence, and abuse
• Respond and implement interventions in cases of natural disasters or community-wide emergencies
• Administer medications

What Are the Roles & Duties of a Public Health Nurse?

Public health nurses are a crucial part of the health care world. Many patients, especially those in underserved, rural, or underprivileged communities do not seek health care, or cannot afford to. Public health nurses reach out to educate and treat patients and families in need. Roles may include:

• Assessing psychosocial, mental health, physical and nutritional needs of a population
• Educating on the importance of preventive health, and preventive health screening
• Recognizing and intervening in cases of abuse or violence
• Motivating members of the community to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles
• Acting as a role model to the community
• Intervening and educating in cases of infectious disease outbreaks
• Utilizing and educating patients on available community resources
• Providing leadership within a community, especially in the cases of emergencies

Public Health Nurse Salary & Employment

While there is no official data on the outlook for public health nurses specifically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nursing, in general, is expected to grow 16% by 2024. Additionally, opportunities for health educators and community health workers, in general, is expected to grow 13% by 2024. This is promising to nurses interested in the field of public health nursing.

According to payscale.com, the average salary for a public health nurse is $56,111 annually. This figure can vary depending on degrees/certificates held, and city/state of employment.

The postpartum or mother-baby nurse is tasked with caring for both mother and newborn baby once a birth has taken place. This nurse utilizes a strong set of skills to recognize and act upon postpartum emergencies for both patients. The postpartum nurse appreciates a busy working environment and the challenge of quickly detecting complications from childbirth. A large part of this nurse’s job is teaching new mothers how to properly care for herself as well as her newborn after the delivery. Lactation nurses are often postpartum nurses who have become certified.

Becoming a Postpartum Nurse

After the nursing student graduates school and becomes licensed as an RN, he/she is then able to apply for a postpartum nursing position. Working in this specialized area is usually available to new graduate RNs but will require training after hire. This is usually accomplished through didactic, or textbook, learning, as well as working closely with a preceptor to learn how to critically think like a postpartum nurse should. Experienced nurses can also make the switch into postpartum by applying to a hospital or Birthing Center’s listing. At most facilities, at least 1 year of bedside experience is required.

Often, nurses who wish to work in labor/delivery are required to start in postpartum before they are eligible to apply.

What Are the Education Requirements for Postpartum Nurses?

Both ADN and BSN educated nurses are eligible to apply for postpartum nursing positions at most hospitals. Some hospitals require RNs to hold a BSN degree or higher.

Postpartum nurses are required to have an RN license from the state in which he/she will practice nursing. The RN license can be applied for after meeting the State Board of Nursing’s requirements, which consist of earning at least an ADN from an accredited nursing school and passing the NCLEX-RN.

A few certifications are available for postpartum nurses. First, the Electronic Fetal Monitoring certification is a requirement at many hospitals.

The other main certification is the Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN). This certification demonstrates expertise and dedication to the specialty. While not required to be hired into the position, this certification is often required by hospitals after some years of employment. It requires 24-months of employment in the specialty.

Where Do Postpartum Nurses Work?

The postpartum nurse works primarily in the postpartum or maternity unit of a hospital. They can also work in birthing centers, which have grown in popularity in recent years. Other places that employ postpartum nurses include clinics and private practices. Postpartum nurses work closely with other medical professionals, including OB-GYN doctors, labor and delivery specialty nurses, nursery nurses, lactation consultants, and more.

What Does a Postpartum Nurse Do?

Postpartum nurses provide important physical and emotional care and recovery for both the new mom and the newborn baby following a delivery. They are trained to educate the new mother and watch for signs of postpartum depression, and may work in tandem with a lactation consultant to assist with breastfeeding. A large part of their role is providing support for the mother in any way that’s needed.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Postpartum Nurse?

• Assess and monitor the new mother after delivery to ensure proper recovery and healing
• Clean and monitor the newborn baby
• Check vital signs
• Check caesarian incisions if applicable
• Remove catheters after delivery
• Dispense pain medication and/or antibiotics as needed
• Provide education to new parents regarding how to care for an infant
• Help the new mother with the emotional aspects of the birth recovery
• Work with lactation consultants to help the new mother breastfeed

Postpartum Nurse Salary & Employment

A postpartum nurse has a median salary in the US of $65,077. Location, experience, certifications, and education affect the salary.

With no shortage of births in the country, postpartum nursing has a favorable employment outlook. Some nurses gain experience in postpartum nursing and then go on to work as a lactation nurse, labor and delivery nurse, or other maternity specialty, making it a versatile career move. Postpartum nurses must be able to handle working odd hours, as babies are born at all times of the day and night.

Perinatal nurses help care for women and babies throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum, and usually up until the new baby is around a month old. Perinatal nurses educate their pregnant female patients about their unborn child. One of the largest roles of a perinatal nurse is to teach patients, spouses, and family members methods and techniques that can help ensure a healthy pregnancy. They educate patients on childbirth options, and how to bond with and care for the baby after it’s born.

Perinatal nurses assist patients during labor and are there to help in case complications arise. Lastly, perinatal nurses teach family members how they can best support the mom-to-be during and after pregnancy.

Becoming a Perinatal Nurse

RNs looking to enter the perinatal specialty should know that many employers prefer Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for the role. However, nurses can gain experience in a maternity ward or OB/GYN office while they train to go into the perinatal nursing field. Experience working with pregnant women, babies, and a desire to educate and make women’s health a priority are necessary to be successful in the role.

Although it’s not always required for the field, those prospective perinatal nurses that wish for the best employment prospects upon graduating should initially pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) instead of merely an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited school. BSNs usually take between three to four years to complete, whereas ADNs typically take two years to complete. Once a student has graduated with either an ADN or BSN degree, he or she can then sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam, students can apply for state licensure to be able to work as a registered nurse (RN).

Perinatal nurses looking to become NPs can choose to complete a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) and apply for further certification to bolster the chances of positioning themselves into the advanced field of perinatal nursing. As Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), perinatal nurse practitioners, along with Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), must have an MSN and a post master’s certificate in their specialty. Two-year master’s degree programs seek to build upon the knowledge you have acquired from undergraduate nursing study and require that you have already obtained an RN license. MSN degree programs will typically encompass classroom work and a large number of hours of practical experience including clinical, teaching and research time.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Many employers require prospective perinatal nurses to earn nurse practitioner credentials before hiring them. Completing your advanced degree program and becoming an NP or CNS can offer you distinct career advantages. Certification shows any potential employers that you meet the highest-level standards of practice. Additionally, passing certification exams can translate into greater career opportunities and increased salary potential. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers certification for NPs and CNSs who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Additionally, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses provide different resources for perinatal nurses, such as continuing education credits online and a handful of National Certification Corporation (NCC) certifications. Read more for further clarity on neonatal nurse certifications.

Where Do Perinatal Nurses Work?

Perinatal nurses can be found working in a variety of health-care facilities. You can find them working in any of the following workplace settings:

• Hospitals
• Physician’s offices
• Neonatal Intensive Care Units
• Community Health Organizations
• Medical Evacuation and Transport Services
• Home Health Services

Pregnancy can be an extraordinarily complicated time for women. Their bodies begin to change and those who are pregnant for the first time or have a history of prior health-related issues must be regularly supervised to ensure that their health, and that of the baby’s, is maturating normally. Similarly, healthy women pregnant for the second time and beyond will require specialized care through their pregnancies as well. This is where the perinatal nurse comes in. These nurses educate pregnant women about the specific processes they will most likely experience during the gestational period. They also assist women through labor, and should any complications arise, aid physicians in providing prompt medical care to both mother and child. Lastly, perinatal nurses sometimes teach new mothers and their families how to care for a newborn properly.

Perinatal nurses have a critical role in ensuring a patient’s healthy pregnancy and delivery. Specific tasks may include:

• Educate patients and families on childbirth options
• Provide information to the patient on postpartum issues such as umbilical cord care, bonding with the baby, postpartum depression, and more
• Administer care to the patient throughout pregnancy and through the first weeks of the newborn’s life
• Assess a patient’s risk for pregnancy complications
• Perform routine pregnancy tests, such as fetal stress test monitoring
• May collaborate with nurse-midwives and physicians during labor, especially if complications arise

Perinatal Nurse Salary & Employment

Perinatal and midwife nurses have very similar roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced practice perinatal nurses earn an average salary of $107,460 as of 2016. The BLS projects the employment rate for advanced practice perinatal nurses to grow by 31% in the next ten years. This is considered much faster than the national average rate and represents a lot of prospects for those who want to become advanced perinatal nurses.

A pediatric endocrinology nurse works with children from birth to age eighteen, treating and managing endocrine disorders. The endocrine system produces hormones that help regulate processes that occur in the body such as breathing, growth, fluid balance, appetite, digestion, weight control and reproduction. The most common endocrine disorder a pediatric endocrinology nurse will treat is diabetes mellitus, as this condition is seen as young as infancy. Other endocrine disorders the nurse may encounter include: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, pituitary problems, adrenal diseases such as Addison’s, childhood obesity, and more. Many of these disorders can affect a child’s growth and development, thus the nurse works closely with the patient’s parents to educate them on the treatment of the disorder.

Becoming a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse

Prospective pediatric endocrinology nurses should have experience treating children in a medical setting, and a background in or strong working knowledge of diabetes is also helpful. This type of nurse may see patients over a long period of time to track growth and disease progression, so the ability to form relationships is a must. Excellent communication skills are also of paramount importance, since pediatric endocrinology nurses must keep parents up-to-date and help to calm children who may be frightened of the necessary tests and procedures they must go through.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse?

To become a pediatric endocrinology nurse, the first step is to attend an accredited university or college and graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). To start working as a nurse, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is required.

Upon successful completion of the examination, many pediatric endocrinology nursing positions require some experience. To obtain the best experience, the nurse should seek experience in diabetes education, internal medicine, endocrinology and pediatrics to prepare for a career in pediatric endocrinology. A pediatric endocrinology nurse must have strong assessment skills, a strong foundation in pharmacology, IV skills, a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification as well as a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification for a hospital setting.

The nurse may further their education to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) that can specialize or work with endocrine disorders in children. This requires additional schooling at an accredited university and licensure via examination.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Currently, there is no specific certification that combines pediatrics and endocrinology into one cohesive certification for RNs or nurse practitioners. There are individual specialty options available such as becoming a  Certified Diabetic Educator, which RNs can opt for.

There are a number of pediatric certifications for nurse practitioners that could benefit a pediatric nurse working with endocrine disorders. Some of these options include the following:

• Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner– Primary Care
• Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner– Acute Care
• American Nurse Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Pediatric Nursing Certification

While none of the certifications are specifically for pediatric endocrinology nurses, there are options within the field of endocrinology, such as diabetes or pediatric certification options, that enhance job opportunities, credentials, salary and experience. Read more for further clarify on pediatric nurse certifications.

What Does a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse Do?

A pediatric endocrinology nurse works with the child, the family, and the pediatrician to develop an effective treatment plan to manage the child’s endocrine disorder. The nurse will provide education to the child’s parents regarding how to deal with the child’s condition, including medication education, lab testing and any diet/lifestyle modifications. Depending on the age of the child, this information will be taught to them as well.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse?

Some duties the nurse may perform include:

• Vital sign assessments
• Physical assessments
• Blood draws for laboratory testing
• Communicating test results to the pediatrician to ensure the plan of care is effective for the patient
• Inserting catheters
• Keeping patient records updated
• Monitoring prescriptions

A pediatric endocrinology nurse may work in a hospital setting on a specialized floor that may be solely for pediatric endocrine disorders or for pediatric patients with an array of conditions. The hospital nurse treats acute conditions or symptoms that need to be addressed on an inpatient basis.

A pediatric endocrinology nurse may also work in a pediatrician’s or other physician’s office. The work in this setting is for less emergent situations and focuses on prevention, education and ongoing monitoring/management of endocrine disorders.

Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse Salary & Employment

Due to pediatric endocrinology nursing being a specialty, the average salary is higher than that of a regular RN, landing at around $81,000 per year. This salary can increase with more certifications and experience. Overall, job prospects for this field are good, as there is an increasing number of children afflicted with diabetes and endocrine disorders in the United States.

The palliative care or hospice nurse provides compassionate care, typically for the terminally ill and those who have little hope of meaningful recovery. This type of nurse has a special interest in creating an environment of pain relief and comfort, and works to promote these aspects of care through the cooperation of friends and/or family. The goals of care in these situations then become relieving suffering through a thorough assessment of the needs of the patient and family on a psychosocial, physical, and spiritual level. This nurse coordinates with other providers to meet the needs of the family and patient. Once death has occurred, the palliative care nurse offers bereavement support and assists in helping the family make final decisions. They also work to prepare patients and families for a peaceful and comfortable end of life transition.

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Nurses with a wide variety of care backgrounds can become palliative care nurses. Those who have experience with geriatric care and certain terminal diseases like late-stage cancer and heart disease are good candidates for this specialty. Strong communication skills are also needed, as palliative care nurses often coordinate with the patient’s family. Lastly, empathy and compassion are needed to be successful as a palliative care nurse, as emotions can run high when death is involved.

What Are the Education Requirements for Palliative Care Nurses?

The palliative care nurse is not always required to have a Bachelor’s degree (an ADN works as well), but is required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and have an RN license in good standing. An LVN/LPN is also acceptable in some settings. Nurses interested in this specialty can also opt to take specialized palliative care courses, which are offered at many schools.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

There are several certifications offered for palliative care nursing. The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center offers the following seven certifications:

• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator
• Certified in Perinatal Loss Care

Where Do Palliative Care Nurses Work?

Palliative care nursing can be provided in a variety of settings, wherever a patient in need resides. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes. Settings where the elderly convene or where chronic conditions are treated (like critical care units) are some of the most common places where palliative care nurses work. Many end-of-life patients prefer to have in-home palliative care if possible.

Palliative care nurses must often strike the balance of alleviating the symptoms and pain of their patient without over-sedating them. Their main concern is to make the patient as comfortable as possible. They also provide important emotional support to the patient and their family, and often educate those involved regarding new ways to manage symptoms.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Palliative Care Nurse?

• Provide and monitor pain management
• Help to alleviate physical symptoms (i.e. respiratory difficulties, nausea, etc.)
• Dispense medications on schedule
• Educate patients and families on symptom management
• Provide emotional support

Palliative Care Nurse Salary & Employment

The palliative care nurse earns an average salary of $61,400 with a range of $48,686 – $81,468. Location, certifications, education, and experience affect the salary of this position.

The palliative care industry is booming due to the aging population. The employment outlook for a palliative care nurse is very good, and is projected to rise by 19% by the year 2022. Due to the demand for this type of nurse in a variety of care settings, palliative care nurses should find it reasonably easy to find a job in the field.