- Nursing
- Nursing specialties
- Occupational health nurse
Occupational health nurse
An occupational health nurse is charged with protecting the safety and health of people who work in hospitals, businesses, and other organizations.
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Required education
ADN or BSN
Out-of-hospital
Treat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
What is the role of an occupational health nurse?
You’ll use your health and business skills to ensure employers protect their employees from occupational and environmental hazards at work.
What you’ll do as an occupational health nurse
Assessment
You’ll appraise work environments to see how safe and healthy they are.
Counsel
You’ll advise employees on physical and psychological concerns and refer them to community and employee assistance programs.
Development
You’ll introduce safety and disease prevention initiatives, such as disaster preparedness and healthy eating programs.
Where you’ll work as an occupational health nurse
Occupational health nurses work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Offices
- Private practices
How to become an occupational health nurse
Get an Associate’s Degrees in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.
Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining 3,000 hours’ experience in occupational health.
Get your Occupational Health Nurse Certification through the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses.
You’re ready to work as a occupational health nurse!
Occupational health nurse career resources
Become a member of an occupational health nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
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How Mercy embraced flexibility and brought joy back to nursing
For nurses, more flexibility and better work/life balance are essential. Solutions like Mercy Works on Demand are meeting nurses where they are by offering a gig-based approach to scheduling. Not only is Mercy’s innovative approach addressing shortages and improving patient care, it is also bringing joy back to nursing and demonstrating that a new, flexible future is possible for the profession.
