Occupational Health (as ANP) Career
What Do You Do In This Career?
Fifty-six thousand workers die in the U.S. every year due to injuries in the workplace or work-related illnesses, and over three million become disabled from these injuries. Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) can specialize in helping to prevent these injuries and deaths. These ANPs assess, manage, and treat illnesses and injuries that happen in the workplace or because of working environments.
Occupational health nurses also create and implement programs to prevent these situations in the workplace and help manage disability. They consult with employers and employees as well as train and educate workers on how to stay safe and healthy on the job. Some nurses may opt for jobs that do not involve direct patient care, preferring to focus on training and prevention.
Salary and Career Information
- Salary: Average salaries for this field can range from $58,112 and $100,562 depending on the position you hold, education, experience, and location. This can also depend on if you work in the private or public sector.
- ANP Requirements: NPs must be registered nurses (RNs), hold a master’s degree or higher, and pass any necessary certification exams. These exams can vary by specialty and by state.
- Work Environment: Many ANPs in this field work on the job site for the company they represent. They offer education, prevention techniques, and sometimes emergency care and treatment. Some ANPs are hired by health care facilities or other companies to create programs to prevent workplace illnesses and injuries from happening.
What Kind of Coursework Can You Expect in This Program?
Occupational and environmental health is usually offered as a specialty within the ANP program. The best programs offer interdisciplinary training with courses like research in occupational health, hazard assessment, program planning, OEH nursing roles, and management of occupational health problems. Other topics may include ergonomics, toxic hazards, emergency response, and disease prevention. Students should look for programs in which they will have the opportunity to learn in clinical residencies in specialty clinics with experts in occupational health. Most programs last two years, and graduates often work for large businesses, medical centers and government offices.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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American Sentinel University — American Sentinel University offers a basic RN to MSN degree, as well as several specializations within this program, including case management, infection prevention and control, management and organizational leadership, and nursing informatics. Graduates of these programs will all have a fundamental understanding of health and illness and will be able to provide direct care to individuals, families, and groups with a variety of health needs. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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