2 replies to this topic

[EnglishAfternoon]

Just wondering if there are any Public Health Nurses out there? I am new to Public Health nursing and would LOVE to hear from you...any tips for those starting out? What do you find most challenging? What are the most common questions you get asked as a PHN? What resources (article, books, pamphlets, websites, etc) do you recommend other PHN's check out for interest or professional development? What is your "routine" for child health clinic? What did you find most challenging when you first started doing immunizations? What tips, helpful hints can you pass onto someone new? etc.

Thanks

[Abbeygirl]

I worked as PHN for awhile. I was case manager for our Volunteers in Medicine program. I handled and recruited local MD's to volunteer time at our Medical Access Clinic at our Health Department. I worked with the MD's when they were there. I was their nurse. I had app 15 MD's who came in at different times. I had some from various practices and different areas of medicine. I enjoyed it very much. I left the position to return to my old position in the emergency cardiac unit of our emergency room. I am now going to work as a school nurse through our health department. I am excited and looking forward to it. I was kinda forced to seek less demanding position due to fracture heal that is not heeling. At first I was upset but now am looking forward to starting my new career.

PHN is a good thing to do. It would be nice if they decided to pay us just a little more. But the bright side, no weekends, holidays etc.

You will find education will be your main job in this position. Teaching your patients to help themselves. Another thing to remember is just because they are having to come to the health clinic for treatment does not mean they are all uneducated people. Some just run into hard times and maybe lose their insurance for awhile, or maybe their jobs. Each person is individuals. Do not make the mistake of lumping them all into one lot. It is hard for some people to come and they only do so as a last resort when they can't find assistance anywhere else. I just always had to remember to treat the person and not the concept of them using the public health department.

Good luck. It is a rewarding job.

[EnglishAfternoon]

Thanks Abbey!

I am absolutely looking forward to Public Health. I thrive on educating the public and PHN is a perfect fit for me. I do appreciate the advice. Coming from an acute care background it is quite a refreshing change. I have always preferred to work from a promotion/prevention model rather than a medical/curative model.

The hours are nice and I do not mind working weekends by any means (yes, we still work weekends in PHN here as I do the Early Maternity Discharge program as well).

Any other tips/tricks of the trade, useful resources/books/websites?