Public Health Nursing: Nursing A Community
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Public health nurses provide nursing services to communities of people rather than individual patients. Public health nursing services include assessing communities and the environment for health problems and providing education about healthy lifestyles and the prevention of illness. Qualified nurses can become certified in the area of public health.
American Nurses Credentialing Center, or ANCC
The ANCC offers certification for many specialties in nursing, and for the qualified nurse they also offer certification in public health nursing. In order to receive certification in public health nursing you have to pass a certification exam, and then renew every 5 years.
This computer based exam costs between $270 - $390 as of August 2010. If you are a member of certain nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the American Public Health Association you can receive discounts towards the certification test for public health nursing.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center has 3 options for public health nursing.
Option A
As a registered nurse with a graduate degree in public health, you can apply to get the Advanced Public Health Nurse - Board Certified, or (APHN-BC) certification. As a clinical nurse specialist you have the option to receive your Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified, or (PHCNS-BC) certification.
Option B
If you have a bachelor or master's degree in public health nursing, you can apply for an APHN - BC certification. Many colleges offer a master's degree for public health.
Option C
If you have 2,000 hours of clinical experience in public health nursing, with a graduate degree, a registered nurse can apply for the APHN-BC. If nurses hold a graduate degree in something other than nursing, they must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Need for Certification
The public health nursing credential is voluntary of course, but if you want to further you chances of a career in public health nursing you would be wise to get this certification. Salaries reflect advanced certification completion as well. This particular certification shows that you as a nurse have mastered the knowledge needed to be effective in public health.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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