These are the essential steps to follow if your goal is to become an occupational health nurse. After becoming a registered nursing nurse, you will need to complete two years of nursing experience. You'll want to choose a career that focuses exclusively on occupational and health nursing. These are the steps to follow:
Register as a nurse
Being an occupational nurse is a great option if you want to work with workers. Every workplace is subject to risks. An occupational nurse is able to provide medical care on-site and help prevent injuries and accidents. An occupational health nurse helps to prevent workplace accidents and injuries. She also develops plans that reduce the chances of workers being injured or getting sick. A Master of Public Hygiene degree will help you prepare for a variety of career options in occupational health.
Being an occupational nurse can be rewarding. But if you desire to earn more, a nursing education is essential. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate of Science in Nursing are the minimum requirements. Each degree takes between two and four years. After earning your degree you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination. There will be different licensing requirements in each state.
Earn a certification as a COHN
By passing the national examination, occupational health nurses can obtain COHN certification. This certification is not the same as licensure which is required to practice nurse. COHN certification represents the achievement of standards beyond those required by licensing boards. This is a symbol of advanced occupational health nursing knowledge and requires a nationally administered examination. Many nurses seek certification to fulfill professional or personal reasons. Once you have obtained your certification you are eligible to work in any setting with patients during their recovery.
The COHN examination, which is computer-based and includes 160 multiple choice question. Pretest questions are available to test your knowledge. The questions are divided into categories based on two aspects of occupational health nursing. The four roles of an OHN are the basis for two of the main categories. These roles are further subdivided to create subcategories. There are four subcategories: assessment, planning implementation, evaluation, and evaluation.
Many settings allow you to work.
An occupational health nurse, a registered nurse who is responsible for workplace safety, is a registered nursing. They evaluate the health risks of workers and create policies and procedures to reduce them. They may also provide general care and routine check-ups as well as administer vaccinations. The salary for this career is highly variable, depending on education, experience, geographic location, and company size. Occupational health nursing could be the right choice for you if your goal is to find a flexible and challenging job.
An occupational health nurse has many responsibilities. This career path will allow you to grow your skills and knowledge while also preparing you for the growing demand for occupational health services. Many occupational health nurses are responsible for keeping patient files, test results, schedules, and work space organized. Occupational health nurses must also maintain clean work areas. You will need to be organized and have great time management skills.
Renew your license
To remain a practicing occupational health nurse in Texas, you must renew your license. Either online or in writing, you can renew your occupational health nurse license. After the renewal deadline has passed, your license has expired, and you are not eligible to practice until it is reissued. If you practice after the expiration date, you will be fined $10 per day or up to $1,000. In some instances, you may be subject to disciplinary measures.
To maintain your license, you must complete continuing education. At least 50 continuing education units must be completed in your specialty area. These may be completed online, or you can take the exam in person. You have many options for CEUs with the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses. You can reapply for licensure after you have completed all of your CEUs. To earn your COHN certification, you can also take a test.