|
An occupational health nurse (OHN) specializes in promoting health and safety practices in the work place. Bringing their health care expertise and business knowledge to a wide range of work environments, occupational health nurses deliver health and safety programs and services that help prevent illness, injury and environmental hazards inside organizations. According to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN), poor employee health costs businesses $1 trillion each year. So organizations find it in their best interest to hire occupational health nurses to work as leaders and managers within their companies in an effort to improve employee productivity and increase the bottom line.  Occupational Health Nurse Career Overview Occupational health nurses perform a wide range of job duties, from workplace hazard detection to case management. Typical activities for occupational health nurse jobs include mentoring and training co-workers, counseling employees on health and wellness, designing disease-prevention programs and ensuring compliance with government regulations for workplace safety. As a career, occupational health nursing promises diverse opportunities, with OHNs making their living as clinicians, educators, corporate directors and consultants. Occupational Health Nursing Education Occupational health nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with experience in community health, ambulatory or critical care, or emergency nursing. Typically, OHNs hold a 4-year bachelor's degree in nursing and gain experience as occupational health nurses before entering the field. Many decide to go back to school to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in public health or a related field. Others may choose to earn a master's degree in a business-related field. Currently, working in an occupational health nurse job does not require specialized certification. But the AAOHN highly recommends that OHNs obtain certification as a means of demonstrating professional competency and a commitment to continuous training. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) offers certification for nurses who meet specific eligibility requirements. Occupational Health Nurse Salary According to April 2009 data from Salary.com, entry-level occupational health nurses with an undergraduate degree can earn a median annual income of $65,903. Nurses with at least five years of experience in occupational health nursing and who hold leadership and supervisory roles can expect a median salary of $74,536 per year. In addition, data collected in September 2009 at Payscale.com reflects that OHNs with a Master of Science in Nursing or another type of master's degree can make over $80,000 annually. Occupational Health Nursing Career Outlook Registered nurses in general can anticipate an excellent job outlook due to the current nursing shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that employment of RNs would grow at a rate of 23 percent between 2006 and 2016. Not only will the occupation generate 587,000 new jobs, but hundreds of thousands of additional openings will become available as a result of retirements and natural attrition. Safety in the workplace is vital to an organization's operation and success. Occupational health nurses offer employers the expertise they need to maintain safety, decrease risks to themselves and employees, and build a solid reputation in their community. OHNs contribute to the success and bottom line of the organization, helping and serving others while developing a rewarding career for themselves. Sources:
AAOHN.org, 2009.
OSHA.gov, 2009.
ABOHN.org, 2009.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009. |
