Occupational health nurses assist individuals at employment sites.
Occupational health nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in identifying and preventing hazards and illnesses in places of employment. Occupational health nurses are required to meet the same education, training and license requirements as non-specialized registered nurses, including the completion of a formal nurse training program, sitting for the NCLEX examination and fulfilling licensing requirements set forth by their state's board of nursing.
High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
Occupational health nurses are required to earn a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite for admission to a formal nurse training program. Students pursuing a nursing career are advised to take secondary school courses in biology, chemistry, English, mathematics and communications. Students may also want to take courses in a foreign language; being bilingual can greatly increase an occupational nurse's employment and advancement potential.
Nursing Diploma
Occupational health nurses are required to complete a formal nurse training program. Students have three options available; they can earn a hospital diploma, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Hospital diploma programs and associate degree programs take approximately two years to complete. Although both education routes prepare students for this line of work, occupational nursing students typically choose to earn an associate degree. Credits earned through hospital diploma programs do not transfer, should graduates decide to return to school and earn a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degree programs take four years to complete; students receive extensive nurse training, as well as a liberal arts education. Occupational health nurses with bachelor's degrees have increased career advancement potential. Regardless of which degree or diploma program students choose, the curricula will include a combination of classroom instruction and supervised clinical training.
NCLEX Examination
All registered nurse license applicants, including those intending to work in occupational health, are required to sit for the NCLEX-RN (National Council for Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse) examination. Candidates must submit their licensing application to their state's board of nursing, as well as register to sit for the licensing exam. Once an applicant's application and supporting documentation have been approved, he or she will be sent an ATT (authority to test) document that lists available NCLEX locations, dates and times.
Licensure
State licensing requirements for occupational health nurses vary. Once candidates have fulfilled the requirements set forth by their state's board of nursing and passed the NCLEX-RN examination, they will be granted a RN license.
Certification
The American Board of Occupational Health Nursing (ABOHN) offers voluntary certification to occupational health nurses who desire professional recognition in their chosen specialty. ABOHN has two types of certifications available: The Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) designation is given to nurses with an associate degree or hospital diploma, and is geared toward those who practice direct clinical care. The Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist is granted to nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher, who work in education, management, consultation or case-management. To achieve either certification, applicants must pass a certification exam.
Tags: health nurses, nurse training, board nursing, formal nurse, formal nurse training
