What does a Public Health Nurses Do?

By Samantha Simmons

At Burke County Public Health, we appreciate our Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. We want to thank them for all that they do for our health department and specifically with the patients. Many know what a nurse is but how impactful are our nurses here in Burke County Public Health?

Public health nurses work at the forefront of disease prevention and health promotion. Unlike traditional nursing roles that focus on individual patient care, public health nurses adopt a population-based approach, addressing the health needs of entire communities. Whether it's conducting health assessments or administering vaccinations, these nurses are looking out for the health of populations. Not only am I learning that they provided this, but these nurses also go in depth regarding disease prevention.

These professionals monitor disease trends, investigate outbreaks, and implement control measures to prevent the spread of infections. To keep the public safe, they track the incidence of communicable diseases to prepare for future outbreaks that may occur within the county. Now let's learn exactly how to become a Public Health Nurse.

Begin by completing a nursing program to receive your associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) degree. Once receiving this degree nurses will have to sit for the NCLEX-RN. If nurses pass the NCLEX-RN, they are encouraged to continue their education, specifically in public health, and also gain experience in other nursing job areas. Some of these public health continuing education can look like certification in public health nursing or graduate programs specifically in public health nursing.

Becoming a public health nurse is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, education, and hands-on experience. We thank them for all that they do and how they impact our lives every day!