Occupational health nursing is specialized that deals with keeping workers safe while working. That is the OHN job; the critical role occupational health nurses play toward protecting workers on the job sites, which not only has some physical exposure but there may also be other mental health types of exposure.
In this blog, Nursing Shala will walk you through the steps on how to become an occupational health nurse, qualifications, responsibilities, and salary expectations. If you’re new to nursing or just want to specialize in occupational health, then this is all the information you’ll need to make the right decision when joining this field.
What is Occupational Health Nursing?
Occupational health nursing is a profession that deals with the prevention and diagnosis of any occupational injuries as well as disorders. It can be said that working with individuals to ensure workers are working in safe environments so that they gain proper care or treatment to stay healthier. Occupational health nurses work collectively with employers, healthcare professionals as well as regulating agencies to attain a safe healthy work environment.
This specialty primarily aims at preventing work-related illnesses and injuries and involves first aid, assessing medical cases, and rehabilitation in case an employee becomes sick or injured. This specialty is a blend of nursing skills, workplace safety, public health, and risk management.
Duties of Occupational Health Nurse
Occupational health nurses have a lot of work to do to keep their employees healthy and fit. Some of the key occupational health nurse responsibilities are:
- Health Evaluations: OHNs perform pre-employment health evaluations, regular health evaluations, and post-injury evaluations to track the health status of workers.
- Health Education: Educating employees on topics like ergonomics, stress management, workplace safety, and proper hygiene to reduce workplace risks.
- Emergency Care: Provides first aid and emergency medical care in the case of a workplace accident.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Tracks health trends, workplace injuries, and illnesses and reports the same to the management and the regulatory authorities.
- Workplace Safety: Working with safety teams to identify hazards in the workplace and make recommendations to improve safety protocols.
- Rehabilitation: Helps the injured or ill employee get back to work by rehabilitating him or her and modifying the work environment, as required.
- Compliance: Maintains a safe workplace according to the standards set by OSHA and other health regulations.
Occupational health nurses play a vital role in employee health and safety. They assess health, teach, provide immediate care, and monitor workplace health trends. Their efforts in following up on regulations and rehabilitation promote a healthier, safer work environment for all.
Responsibilities of an Occupational Health Nurse
An occupational health nurse has the responsibility of a wide range of activities aimed at promoting a healthy workforce and safe work environment. Some of the key responsibilities of an occupational health nurse include:
- Injury and Illness Prevention: The employees are educated about safety precautions, and the workplace meets health and safety standards so that the chance of injury or illness is minimized.
- Counseling and Support: Providing emotional support and counseling for employees experiencing stress, burnout, or other mental health problems at work.
- Health Surveillance: Monitoring the health of employees by conducting regular check-ups, immunizations, and screenings for diseases that may have resulted from the workplace, such as respiratory or hearing disorders.
- Workplace Health Programs: Health promotion programs aimed at improving better health practices that will help lower healthcare costs for employers.
In conclusion, occupational health nurses promote a healthy workforce by being injury-free or less prone to injuries, supported, and checked on regularly to maintain health standards. Their involvement also includes counseling, health-program implementation, as well as work environment safety issues to enhance welfare among employees, which in return will improve employee productivity.
Occupational Health Nurse Requirements
To practice as an occupational health nurse, one needs to fulfill certain requirements of education and certification. Let me present to you a breakdown of the requirements for becoming an occupational health nurse:
- RN Licensure: First of all, in order to have a career as an occupational health nurse, a person needs to become a registered nurse. It is done after earning either ADN or BSN and the NCLEX-RN exam is passed.
- Specialized Training: Though a BSN or ADN is enough to start a career, most OHNs receive further certifications and training in occupational health. Courses may include industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, and environmental health.
- Certifications: Obtaining a Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) certification from the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) will also enhance your opportunities and reputation on the job.
- Experience: Experience particularly in a hospital or health care setting, is absolutely built on nursing skills to serve the needs of occupational health. Some of the positions require experience in emergency care, public health, or industrial nursing.
Therefore, an occupational health nurse should be initially an RN with licensure after completion of either BSN or ADN followed by NCLEX-RN examination. In addition to such professional training, specialization in occupational health and related certifications such as COHN further add value to a career. Appropriate work experience in a healthcare facility provides additional training.
Occupational Health Nurse Salary
The wages for an occupational health nurse vary according to experience, location, and the industry one is working. On average, an occupational health nurse will take home between $70,000 and $90,000 annually. This amount can be between $60,000 for entry-level positions and over $100,000 for experienced nurses or managerial roles.
Others who influence salary levels include the size of the employer, geographical location, and whether the nurse is advanced certified. For example, OHNs are likely to get more pay based on the industry size in which they are working or a high-risk job nature where the nurse may need specialized knowledge and skills.
Occupational Health Nurse Salary in India (Approx.)
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (INR) |
| Entry-Level OHN | ₹50 lakh |
| Mid-Level OHN | ₹58 lakh – ₹75 lakh |
| Experienced/Managerial OHN | ₹83 lakh+ |
Is Occupational Health Nursing a Good Career?
Occupational health nursing is considered to be a great career for several reasons:
- Job Stability: The demand for healthcare professionals in occupational health is growing as companies place greater emphasis on employee well-being and safety.
- Work-Life Balance: Unlike many other nursing roles that require long shifts, occupational health nurses typically work standard hours, making it easier to maintain a work-life balance.
- Impact: As an occupational health nurse, you would directly impact workers in various sectors and industries. From manufacturing to healthcare, workers benefit from improvements in health and safety.
- Variety: Your work will provide an opportunity for a variety of settings and work in different sectors and industries. In this work, you are involved with the employees, the safety teams, and management when working on both clinical and administrative work.
Therefore, occupational health nursing is a challenging and rewarding profession that allows a stable work-life balance, contributing to significant effects on the worker’s health and safety. Because of the varied settings and industries, this will provide a range of clinical and administrative challenges for a satisfying and dynamic profession.
Conclusion
Becoming an occupational health nurse leads to a fruitful career path blended with nursing acumen and a great focus on worker health and safety. The practice offers job security, a substantial salary, and the potential to make a really big difference in the lives of employees. To anyone who happens to be ambitious about nursing careers and wants specializations that reach out to serve communities directly, becoming an occupational health nurse seems like a more than suitable recommendation.
Sources:
- American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN): www.aaohn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an occupational health nurse do?
An occupational health nurse will ensure the well-being and safety of workers. Their roles include performing health check-ups, administering first aid, and monitoring risks at the workplace, as well as educating workers on health-related matters. They also ensure that the workplace complies with all the safety measures in place.
What are the qualifications for becoming an occupational health nurse?
To become an occupational health nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN) by completing a nursing degree (ADN or BSN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Many OHNs also pursue specialized training in occupational health and earn certifications like the Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN).
How much does an occupational health nurse make?
The salary of an occupational health nurse will depend on the experience, location, and industry. Generally, they earn between $70,000 and $90,000 a year. High salaries can be earned for nurses with special skills or advanced certifications.
