Best Master's Degrees in Public Health Nursing

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Many students who choose to pursue a master's in public health hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students who have a bachelor's degree in another area may be required to complete an RN-BSN-MSN bridge program or complete additional courses in areas such as community health, research and leadership management.

Admissions requirements for public health nursing master's programs from different schools share similarities but can be quite unique to the institution. Typically, applicants to these programs have to have a BSN degree and several schools require a current RN license. Many only look at applicants who have some prior nursing experience.

Some schools require GRE test scores and/or a minimum GPA, usually around a 3.0. Depending on the program, students may be required to have prerequisite courses in areas such as biology, quantitative science, and health-related science. Other application materials for these degree programs include letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and/or essays.

In addition to broad considerations like tuition cost and location, students who want to work in public health nursing should first decide what type of degree to earn. For instance, some students may want a joint MSN/MPH degree, while other students want to focus their studies with an MSN or MS in Community Public Health Nursing.

Then, students can start comparing unique learning opportunities or features of different programs. For example, some programs have additional culminating experiences, scholarships and forms of financial aid, or graduate certificate options. Students should also consider the format of programs, such as online or hybrid and full-time or part-time, to determine what type of program best fits with their schedule.

When choosing a public health nursing program, students should also examine the program's accreditation. Often, employers prefer to hire graduates from accredited schools. Schools are accredited by independent organizations approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Some examples of these organizations include the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

In the case of public health nursing, master's programs often have an extra accreditation at the program level, an attribute that can be incredibly important when it comes to finding a position in the field. In public health nursing, the biggest accrediting organization is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and its accreditation indicates that programs have met nursing-specific standards put in place to prepare students for a career in the field.

Master's degree programs in public health nursing usually require between 38 and 45 credits of coursework. Typically, these degree programs can be completed in 2 to 4 years, depending on whether students are enrolled full- or part-time. Students in these master's programs usually take core courses in public health nursing and some programs include electives or certification tracks. It is fairly common for these programs to include some hands-on training through clinical hours, and some programs also include a culminating experience of some kind. Learn more about the curriculum for these programs here.

Public Health Nursing Foundational Courses

Core courses for a master's degree in public health nursing usually consist of public health courses for nurses and advanced nursing courses. These courses aim to further develop students' advanced nursing skills and knowledge, as well as their awareness of public health concerns and how to address issues. Students also sharpen their leadership and research skills. Many programs include hands-on clinical experiences and some programs conclude with a final, comprehensive exam or capstone experience. Core courses for public health nursing master's programs include topics such as:

• Advanced public health nursing
• Communications and policy leadership
• Clinical prevention and population health
• Issues in global health
• Epidemiology
• Evaluation of health outcomes
• Program planning and evaluation
• Biostatistics
• Society, health, and social justice
• Health promotion

Public Health Nursing Specialist & Elective Courses

Although fairly uncommon, there are some master's programs in public health nursing that allow students to choose one or more elective courses. These courses help students explore additional areas of interest within the field. There is also at least one MSN program in community public health nursing that allows students to choose from tracks that lead to a nurse educator certificate (to focus on educating other nurses) or a nurse administrator certificate (to focus on developing leadership and management skills).

Licensure & Certification in Public Health Nursing

Although there used to be public health nurse certification available from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), there is currently no certification required or available. The Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN) certification exam is now retired and there is not a generalist level of public health nursing certification available. However, if nurses have at least a bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of experience working in public health, they can pursue the Certification in Public Health (CPH) credential. This is offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners and requires professionals to pass a proctored, computer-based exam after meeting eligibility requirements.

Most master's degree programs in public health nursing include one or more practicum experiences to provide students with hands-on learning and training in the field. Master's programs in public health nursing generally require between 315 and 360 clinical hours, while joint MSN/MPH degree programs may require around 500 clinical hours. Some programs have students work closely with an advisor to find practicum placements that best align with their personal interests and career goals to help prepare them for their future. One practicum experience may be part of a program's capstone experience that helps summarize the program and has students apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Students who want to continue their studies at the doctoral level after earning their master's degree can usually pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. These degree programs offer concentrations in areas such as public health nursing or public health nurse leader. Some of these degree programs are available in online formats for flexibility. These programs may conclude with a capstone project and aim to prepare students for advanced leadership positions in the field.

There are many public health careers available, including those involved directly with public health nursing and those that are outside of the field of nursing. Students may begin their career with entry-level jobs in public health and work their way up to more advanced positions or jump into these higher positions with their master's degree. For example, graduates can take on positions as a public health manager or a public health program manager to oversee community programs and services.

Certification can also help lead to advanced positions in the field, such as starting as a public health inspector and then becoming a certified public health inspector.

On the nursing side of public health, there are also many job options available. Students can work in a wide range of settings, including health departments, hospital-based community programs, schools, nonprofits, and even the government working as an army public health nurse. There are also advanced positions available that can require additional education, such as working as a public health nurse practitioner. Read on for some more detailed career information.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Public Health Nursing

Overall, the job outlook for graduates with a master's degree in public health is quite positive. The field of healthcare is growing rapidly as the need for health services increases, and many community-based positions are also experiencing growth. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for social and community service managers is 17% from 2019 to 2029. This is much faster than the national average.

Job outlooks for other public health nursing-related positions are also much faster than the national average. For instance, the BLS stated that the job outlook over the same time period for health education specialists was 11% and the outlook for medical and health services managers was 32%. The flexibility of a master's degree in public health nursing to allow students to move into a variety of positions also greatly helps increase students' job prospects.

How to Become a Medical and Health Services Manager

Medical and health services managers, according to the BLS, includes a wide range of healthcare administrator and executive positions, both clinical and administrative. Most of these managers have to have a bachelor's degree, but master's degrees are also common for these positions and can be preferred by employers. Usually, their degree is in fields such as health management, public health administration, nursing, or other related areas. Medical and health services managers typically have to have a few years of work experience in a healthcare setting. However, this experience can also be clinical or administrative in nature.

The duties and responsibilities of medical and health services managers vary by position, but in general, these professionals examine the big picture for their organization and help run and improve health services. They usually oversee staff activities, which includes making schedules and monitoring the budget. These managers set goals and help develop policies and procedures that enable the organization they oversee reach these goals. Per the BLS, medical and health services managers make a median annual salary of $100,980.

How to Become a Health Educator

Health educators must have a bachelor's degree, but some positions require a master's or doctoral degree. Typically, these educators hold a degree in public health education, community health education, health promotion, or another related area. Hands-on training through an internship or other experience is common for these degree programs. Depending on the position, they may need the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Educators must pass an exam for the credential and maintain it with continuing education.

Health educators figure out ways to improve the health of their communities. They do this by determining the needs of their area, creating programs to address these issues, and educating the public on various health concerns. Health educators will regularly evaluate programs for their effectiveness and work to connect the community with available health resources. As of 2019, the median annual salary for health education specialists was $55,220, according to the BLS.

Financing one's post-secondary education can be difficult, but there are many resources available to help students cut these costs as much as possible. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is always a great first step in the financial aid process, as it shows students all the federal and state loans and grants that may be available to them.

Students can also take advantage of financial aid options that their school of interest may have, such as tuition discounts, scholarships, or assistantships. Scholarships are another resource; these are available from institutions and outside organizations like companies and nonprofits. Sometimes, these organizations are directly involved with a particular subject area, while others provide awards based on other criteria. A couple scholarships available to students pursuing their master's in public health nursing include:

• University of Maryland Merit Scholarships- Students who are admitted to the University of Maryland's MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing are automatically considered for the school's merit scholarships that range between $1,500 and $3,000 per semester. These awards are available for 4 to 6 semesters and require a minimum GPA.
• Ruby A. Brown Memorial Scholarship- This award is offered by the East Tennessee Foundation to adult nursing students. The $3,400 one-time award gives preference to current public health nurses going back to school or those interested in working in public health nursing.