
Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing (AGPCNP-OEHN)
- Overview. Occupational and environmental health nurses play a pivotal role in preventing work-related injuries and illnesses, as well as promoting the health of workers and communities.
- Certifications. ...
- Application Requirements and Deadlines. ...
- Curriculum. ...
- Post Master's Certificate Program. ...
- Faculty
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Full Answer
What is occupational&environmental health nursing?
Occupational health nurse practitioners (OHNP) are also known as occupational and environmental health nurse practitioners or occupational health and family nurse practitioners. Their main focus is on the prevention and treatment of stress, injuries or illnesses derived from the work environment.
Where can I find more information about occupational and environmental health nurses?
The locations with the highest concentration of Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing degree recipients are Washington, DC and Cincinnati, OH. The locations with a relatively high number of Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing degree recipients are Washington, DC and Cincinnati, OH. The most common degree awarded to students studying Occupational & …
What is the difference between occupational health and environmental health?
According to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, an occupational health nurse is a nursing professional who seeks to "provide for and deliver health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups." In some cases, occupational health nurses may be referred to as occupational and environmental health …
What is a certified occupational health nurse?
Occupational and environmental health nursing is the specialty practice that focuses on preventive healthcare, health promotion, and health restoration within the context of a safe and healthy environment (retrieved from www. aaohn.org, December 7, 2011). It includes the prevention of adverse health effects from occupational and environmental

What is environmental health nursing?
An environmental health nurse is a nursing professional who focuses on identifying different issues in the environment that can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of those in the area.
What is the role of an occupational health nurse?
As an occupational and environmental health nurse, you'll deliver health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups. The practice focuses on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from work-related and environmental hazards.
What is environmental and occupational health?
Environmental and Occupational Health is concerned with the health effects of individuals and populations when exposed to air and water pollution, pesticides, organic solvents, dusts and physical hazards, which occur in the environment, the home or the workplace.
What is the role of environmental health in occupational health?
What is environmental health? In contrast to occupational health, which is particularly focused on workplace hazards, environmental health seeks to prevent human injuries and illnesses on a much broader scale.
Is occupational health nursing stressful?
It provides an interesting and fast-paced work environment without the added stress of life or death situations and high acuity patients. It typically is limited to regular business hours without weekends or holidays, and you will have the opportunity to truly use your nursing judgment while working independently.
What is meant by occupational health?
Overview. Occupational health is an area of work in public health to promote and maintain highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations.
What is the difference between Occupational Health and environmental health?
Environmental health relates to how air, water, food and our physical environment can affect our health, for better or for worse. Occupational health relates to keeping people healthy at work.
What is the meaning of occupational environment?
According to Black (2014), the occupational environment can be difined as “the workplace surroundings that encompass the physical and social environment,”. The social environment can be seen as social relationships, immediate physical surroundings and cultural setting in which groups of people function and interact.
What can you do with an environmental and occupational health degree?
Master's Level Sample PositionsEnvironmental Health Specialist.Research Program Manager.Environmental Health & Safety Manager.Industrial Hygienist.Research Assistant.Environmental Health Manager.Pollution Prevention Specialist.Program Coordinator II.More items...
What is occupational safety health and environmental safety?
Occupational safety, health and environment means actions or working conditions which are safe from any cause resulting in danger to life, physique, mentality or health arising out of or related to working.
What activities are oriented to control occupational agents?
Work PracticesDeveloping and implementing safe work procedures or standard operating procedures.Training and education of employees about the operating procedures as well as other necessary workplace training (including WHMIS).Establishing and maintaining good housekeeping programs.Keeping equipment well maintained.More items...
What is the main purpose of green economy?
According to UNEP (2011) [78], green economy is defined as “low-carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive.” The main objective of the green economy is the “improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” It aims at “getting the economy ...
What is occupational and environmental health nursing?
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing is the specialty practice that provides health and safety services and programs to employee populations, their families and communities.
What is the role of nurses in the health care system?
Nurses collaborate with team members to identify health and safety needs; prioritize interventions; develop and implement interventions and programs; and evaluate care and service delivery and program impact.
What is the underlying knowledge base of nursing?
The underlying knowledge base is multidisciplinary and includes the sciences of nursing, medicine, public health (e.g., epidemiology and environmental health) and occupational health (e.g., toxicology, safety, industrial hygiene and ergonomics). It also incorporates social and behavioral sciences and principles of management ...
What is a masters nurse?
The masters-prepared occupational health nurse typically functions in a managerial role as part of an interdisciplinary team that may cross several departments (e.g., health, human resources, and legal services) to provide consultation to all levels of the company.
What is the degree in occupational and environmental health?
Formal education and training leading to an academic degree in occupational and environmental health is the norm. In addition to a foundation in scientific knowledge pertaining to the field, the masters/doctorate program in occupational and environmental health provides the nurse with a broad understanding of the many factors determining workers’ ...
Why is certification important for occupational health nurses?
Because of the range of occupational health nursing careers, other certifications may be beneficial to an occupational health nurse’s career, e.g., case management, safety and health promotion.
What is continuing education in occupational health?
Continuing education in occupational and environmental health nursing is available from several professional occupational health nursing organizations, including AAOHN and almost all of the NIOSH ERCs. Continuing education can be in the form of an onsite or virtual conferences, online self-paced learning, or live and recorded webcasts. It can be a short, one-hour sessions, a full conference, or certificate courses of varying length. Usually continuing nursing education (CNE) is awarded that can be applicable to licensure renewal or certification.
How many hours of spirometry is required for a spirometry exam?
NIOSH-approved Spirometry is 16 hours of instruction by a NIOSH approved instructor and a passing score on the exam.
How often do you need to recertify for occupational hearing conservation?
Recertification is required every five years.
What is CNE in nursing?
Usually continuing nursing education (CNE) is awarded that can be applicable to licensure renewal or certification. Continuing education in other occupational health disciplines is often advisable. Almost all of the ERCs offer continuing education in industrial hygiene, safety, environmental health, and ergonomics, both in person and online.
How often do you need a refresher course?
A refresher course is required every five year. Various ERCs offer courses and accreditations, such as: Accredited Office Ergonomics Evaluator (AOEE), a 16 hour course and exam or the Industrial Ergonomics Process Workshop that does not include certification, but is a four day workshop.
What is occupational health nurse?
What Is an Occupational Health Nurse? According to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, an occupational health nurse is a nursing professional who seeks to "provide for and deliver health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups.". In some cases, occupational health nurses may be ...
What are the requirements to become an occupational health nurse?
To become an occupational health nurse, the following educational requirements must be met: Earn an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university. Pass the NCLEX-RN prelicensure exam. Hold an active and unrestricted RN license.
Why are occupational health nurses called OOHNs?
In some cases, occupational health nurses may be referred to as occupational and environmental health nurses (OHNs) because they work closely alongside employers and employees to ensure that workers stay safe in their workplace environment. While many people seem to think that only some workplaces are hazardous, this simply isn't the case.
How many hours do I need to become an occupational health nurse?
Hold an ADN or BSN degree from an accredited college or university. Hold an active and unrestricted RN license. Have at least 3,000 hours of experience as a nurse in the occupational health sector in the previous five years OR have completed an occupational health certificate program.
How to prevent disease?
Develop and administer disease prevention programs which promote healthy eating, smoking cessation, and exercise. Perform physical examinations. Observe workers on the job to assess health status and determine risks. Carry out research on the effects of workplace exposures.
What is the job of a gatekeeper?
Act as a gatekeeper for different healthcare services like disability and rehabilitation. Counsel employees on both psychological and physical health concerns and guide them toward the necessary resources or programs.
Is a workplace hazardous?
While many people seem to think that only some workplaces are hazardous, this simply isn't the case. There are hazards in every kind of workplace, from restaurants to construction sites. Workplace hazards can be anything from employee carelessness, machinery, falling objects, chemicals, or computer screens. Occupational health nurses' knowledge of ...
What is occupational health nursing?
Occupational health nursing is the specialty practice of delivering health and safety programs and services to employees, worker populations, and association groups. Sometimes occupational health nurses are referred to as occupational and environmental health nurses (OHNs). Occupational health nurses focus on the promotion and re-establishment ...
How to become an occupational nurse?
To become an occupational nurse, you must first become a licensed registered nurse (RN). In order to become an RN, you will need to complete an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) program or Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). Once either your BSN or ADN is completed, you are then eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, ...
What is the growth rate of occupational health nurses?
The occupational health nurse profession is one of the faster-growing careers in the United States. Job outlook for OHNs indicates a growth rate of approximately 19% by the year 2022. OHNs are increasingly in demand due to companies prioritizing the need to take precautions against lawsuits, and to avoid illness and injury at the workplace,
What is a COHN certification?
National certification as either a Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or a Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S) is frequently sought as a way to advance careers and earn higher salaries as occupational nurses.
How much does an occupational health nurse make?
According to payscale.com, salaries of occupational health nurses stretch from $49,000 to $87,000 annually, with a median annual income of $69,000. Geographic location will significantly influence the pay of occupational health nurses along with the amount of experience they have.
How many hours do I need to become an occupational health nurse?
To become a certified occupational health nurse, you will first need to be a fully licensed registered nurse with at least 3,000 hours of work experience in the occupational health field within the last five years, or have a graduate level degree in occupational health. The last step of this process will be sitting for and passing ...
How does an OHNP increase employee retention?
Aside from treating work-related injuries or illness and providing education to employees, OHNPs can also increase employee retention by making the work environment safe, reducing worker’s compensation claims , and helping administration abide by OSHA, FMLA, and HIPAA regulations.

Academic/Advanced Degrees in Ohn
- Modern roles of OHNs are as diverse as clinicians to educators, case managers to corporate directors and consultants. The OHN’s responsibilities have expanded immensely to encompass not only the responsibilities previously stated but also a wide range of job duties, including but n…
Continuing Education
Preceptoring
Mentoring
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) supports 17 regional university-based Education and Research Centers (ERCs). Eleven of the ERCs offer masters and/or doctorate education in occupational health nursing. Doctorates of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a concentration in occupational and environmental health nursing are available from some of the …
Certification
- Continuing education in occupational and environmental health nursing is available from several professional occupational health nursing organizations, including AAOHN and almost all of the NIOSH ERCs. Continuing education can be in the form of an onsite or virtual conferences, online self-paced learning, or live and recorded webcasts. It can be a short, one-hour sessions, a full co…