Occupational Health Nurse
How to Become an Occupational Health Nurse
Job Duties of an Occupational Health Nurse
Skills and Qualities of an Occupational Health Nurse
Occupational Health Nurse Salary
Influential Professionals in the Occupational Health Nurse Field
Leading Occupational Health Nurse Organizations
Top Cities for Occupational Health Nursing Jobs
Other Careers of Interest
How to become an Occupational Health Nurse
An occupational health nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
In order to become an occupational health nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). In high school, the basic required courses would include the sciences of biology and chemistry along with mathematics. Following this career path involves dedication and a strong desire to help people.
There are three ways in which nursing certification can be achieved. The first is a Bachelor's of Science degree (BSN) which is comprised of 4 years of study at a university or college. The second is an Associate Degree (ADN) which can be completed in 2 or 3 years at a community or junior college. The last is a diploma program that is administered by a hospital and will take 3 years or more to complete.
While in school, students will study courses in anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, physiology, psychology, nutrition and nursing. There will be practical experience in a hospital setting in departments such as the emergency ward, maternity, surgery, pediatrics and psychiatry. There may also be clinical experience provided in a nursing care facility or a public health department.
Students must write and successfully pass a national licensing exam known as the NCLEX-RN in order to obtain a nursing license. Registered Nurses may be licensed in more than one state but further exams or endorsements by the originating licensing state may be required.
According to the United States Department of Labor, there were over 2.5 million RNs working in the United States in 2006 which makes the job of an RN the largest health care occupation.
In order to become an occupational health nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). In high school, the basic required courses would include the sciences of biology and chemistry along with mathematics. Following this career path involves dedication and a strong desire to help people.
There are three ways in which nursing certification can be achieved. The first is a Bachelor's of Science degree (BSN) which is comprised of 4 years of study at a university or college. The second is an Associate Degree (ADN) which can be completed in 2 or 3 years at a community or junior college. The last is a diploma program that is administered by a hospital and will take 3 years or more to complete.
While in school, students will study courses in anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, physiology, psychology, nutrition and nursing. There will be practical experience in a hospital setting in departments such as the emergency ward, maternity, surgery, pediatrics and psychiatry. There may also be clinical experience provided in a nursing care facility or a public health department.
Students must write and successfully pass a national licensing exam known as the NCLEX-RN in order to obtain a nursing license. Registered Nurses may be licensed in more than one state but further exams or endorsements by the originating licensing state may be required.
According to the United States Department of Labor, there were over 2.5 million RNs working in the United States in 2006 which makes the job of an RN the largest health care occupation.
What does an Occupational Health Nurse do?
An occupational health nurse specializes in providing and monitoring emergency care services while helping employers to implement health and safety standards throughout a facility. An occupational health nurse usually finds employment at a hospital or other care facility.
Depending upon the chosen location for work, duties may include examining and treating injured workers. This would also involve case management including the maintaining of records, investigating accidents and injuries, and preparing reports - all the while ensuring compliance with all occupational, health, safety, and environmental rules and regulations.
An occupational health nurse can also be involved in developing and conducting training programs, counseling, crisis intervention, organizing blood drives, health and wellness fairs, and CPR training for other facility employees.
Depending upon the chosen location for work, duties may include examining and treating injured workers. This would also involve case management including the maintaining of records, investigating accidents and injuries, and preparing reports - all the while ensuring compliance with all occupational, health, safety, and environmental rules and regulations.
An occupational health nurse can also be involved in developing and conducting training programs, counseling, crisis intervention, organizing blood drives, health and wellness fairs, and CPR training for other facility employees.
What skills or qualities do I need to become an Occupational Health Nurse?
If you are thinking about becoming an occupational health nurse, you must possess a genuine desire to help people. A nurse must also have the ability to listen to a patient, display a sense of compassion, exhibit sensitivity in delicate situations and possess an ability to understand the need for confidentiality.
Good communication skills, empathy, flexibility, respectfulness and good physical endurance are qualities than any nurse must possess. Other skills for becoming a nurse include a keen attention to detail, good interpersonal skills, being able to respond quickly, along with good problem solving skills. Being emotionally and physically able to handle stressful situations including the presence of blood is also necessary.
An ongoing thirst for knowledge is a must as developments in nursing are constantly progressing. New drugs become available on a regular basis and as a nurse, it is your responsibility to keep on top of new developments.
A career as an occupational health nurse can also be very rewarding as patients benefit directly from the skills that have been learned and applied as a RN.
Good communication skills, empathy, flexibility, respectfulness and good physical endurance are qualities than any nurse must possess. Other skills for becoming a nurse include a keen attention to detail, good interpersonal skills, being able to respond quickly, along with good problem solving skills. Being emotionally and physically able to handle stressful situations including the presence of blood is also necessary.
An ongoing thirst for knowledge is a must as developments in nursing are constantly progressing. New drugs become available on a regular basis and as a nurse, it is your responsibility to keep on top of new developments.
A career as an occupational health nurse can also be very rewarding as patients benefit directly from the skills that have been learned and applied as a RN.
How much does an Occupational Health Nurse make?
An occupational health nurse, like any other professional, makes different salaries depending upon their place of employment, geographical area and applicable skills. The median salary for occupational health nurses in the United States, as of November 2008, is $69,596 annually. The middle 50 percent of American occupational health nurses made between $59,881 and $79,310 in the same year. The maximum annual salary for an occupational health nurse is $84,794 with such a salary likely including bonuses and benefits such as social security, 401k, disability, healthcare and pension.
Who are some influential professionals in this field?
Richard Kowalski (RN), an occupational health nurse for over 30 years, became the first male president of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN). He worked for General Motors for over 30 years before retiring; he now offers his services by consultation.
Again, in 2006, there were over 2.5 million RNs working in the United States with a projected 3.1 million by 2016. Each of these occupational health nurses are dedicated and hard working members of a team. There may be few identifiable influential people in this field but this is only because their work goes on behind the scenes.
Again, in 2006, there were over 2.5 million RNs working in the United States with a projected 3.1 million by 2016. Each of these occupational health nurses are dedicated and hard working members of a team. There may be few identifiable influential people in this field but this is only because their work goes on behind the scenes.
What are some leading organizations in this field?
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) has a membership of over 9,000 occupational health nurses in the United States. The association is dedicated to advancing, protecting, guiding and promoting the profession of occupational health nurses.
There are also occupational health nurse organizations within individual states in the U.S. such as Florida, Virginia and Utah to name a few.
There are also occupational health nurse organizations within individual states in the U.S. such as Florida, Virginia and Utah to name a few.
What are the top cities for Occupational Health Nursing jobs?
As the healthcare industry continues to expand, there is a consistent demand for occupational health nurses. Expected to grow faster than average, the number of occupational health nurses needed between now and 2016 is expected to increase by 23 percent. The most job opportunities will be for occupational health nurses that have obtained their BSN designation.
Due to the aging population of the baby boomers, employment opportunities for occupational health nurses will be in high demand over the next ten years. As nursing home populations continue to grow, these facilities will require the expertise of occupational health nurses to run safely and efficiently.
Home health care is also rapidly growing which means occupational health nurses will be in high demand as well to provide preventative services.
The states of Florida, Texas and California consistently have a high demand for occupational health nurses while the cities of Miami, Houston and San Francisco are hot spots.
Due to the aging population of the baby boomers, employment opportunities for occupational health nurses will be in high demand over the next ten years. As nursing home populations continue to grow, these facilities will require the expertise of occupational health nurses to run safely and efficiently.
Home health care is also rapidly growing which means occupational health nurses will be in high demand as well to provide preventative services.
The states of Florida, Texas and California consistently have a high demand for occupational health nurses while the cities of Miami, Houston and San Francisco are hot spots.
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