Occupational Health Nurses are also known as occupational and environmental health nurses or OHNs. They typically work outside the standard medical setting, working for employers, worker populations, and association groups. They focus more on the preventative aspect of health, rather than treating patients, though they may do that as well. Many OHNs will work for an employer directly, though some work as consultants.
The daily tasks are wide and diverse, depending on their specific role and employer. They may include:
- Various health screening such as vision and hearing
- Tending to injuries
- Drug and alcohol screenings
- Performing physical examinations
- Administering medications
- Overseeing emergency and disaster preparedness plans
- Educating population groups on workplace safety issues
- Developing disease prevention programs
- And a lot more
To become an OHN, you must have a state license as a registered nurse (RN). This means a minimum of an Associate’s Degree, though most people have a minimum of a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree. There is also a specialty certification as an Occupational Health Nurse available after about two years of experience in the field.