You must follow these steps if you are interested in a career working in occupational health nursing. After becoming a registered nursing nurse, you will need to complete two years of nursing experience. You should consider a job that focuses on occupational healthcare nursing. These are the steps to follow:
Be a registered nurse
An occupational health nurse could be the perfect choice if you are looking to work with workers. Every workplace has its risks. An occupational nurse is able to provide medical care on-site and help prevent injuries and accidents. In addition to helping to prevent workplace injuries and accidents, an occupational health nurse develops plans that can reduce the risks of work-related injuries and illnesses. A Master of Public Health degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers in occupational health care.
A career as an occupational health nurse can offer rewarding opportunities. However, you will need to have a nursing degree if you are looking for a more lucrative job. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate of Science in Nursing are the minimum requirements. Each of these degrees takes two or four years. After you've completed your degree, it's necessary to pass the National Council Licensure Examination. Each state will have different requirements for licensure.
Earn your COHN certification
A national examination can give occupational health nurses COHN accreditation. It is different than licensure. COHN certification means that you have met higher standards than the licensing boards. It is a symbol that a person has advanced knowledge in occupational nursing. This certification requires passing a national exam. Many nurses want to become certified, whether for their 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 is computer-based, and contains 160 multiple choice questions. There are also 25 pretest questions that assess your knowledge. The questions are broken down into two main categories, each focusing on one aspect of occupational nursing. The four roles of an OHN are the basis for two of the main categories. Then, these roles are subdivided into subcategories. Among the four subcategories are assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Work in a variety of settings
An occupational health nurse, a registered nurse who is responsible for workplace safety, is a registered nursing. As part of their job, occupational health nurses assess and plan for worker safety and help to prevent injury. They might also be able to provide general nursing care, routine checks, or administer vaccinations. This career can pay a high salary, but it depends on your education, experience, location and company size. Occupational health nursing might be the right career for you, if you're looking for flexibility and a challenging position.
An occupational health nurse can have many responsibilities. This career path allows you to expand your skills and expertise while preparing for the ever-growing need for occupational health services. Many occupational health nurses are responsible for keeping patient files, test results, schedules, and work space organized. OSHA nurses also have to keep their work spaces clean. You should be organized and have excellent time management skills.
Renew your license
Your Texas occupational health nurse license must be renewed in order to remain licensed. You can either renew online or on paper. Your license will expire once the renewal deadline is passed. You cannot continue practicing until it's reissued. You can be fined up to $1,000 for practicing after the expiration day. In some cases, you may also face disciplinary action.
To keep your license current, you need to 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. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses has flexible CEU options. After you have completed your CEUs you can apply for licensure again. You can also take the COHN test to get your certification.