Occupational health is one of nursing's best kept secrets!

Occupational health nursing is one of nursing's best kept secrets. 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.

Occupational health nurses work in hospitals systems, private businesses and public health clinics. They focus on treating and providing programs for the organization's employees. According to the Campaign for Nursing's Future, full-time occupational health nurses earn $42,000 to 55,000 per year and must hold a bachelor's degree.

The main goal of occupational health nurses is the safety of employees. This role begins before the employee even starts working. The occupational health nurse is usually the first contact for a company's new employee. The nurse's role is to evaluate the new hire to ensure that he or she is able to perform the job's requirements during the preplacement physical. This not only gives the nurse a chance to implement needed accommodations, but provide anticipatory guidance as well. The nurse will discuss injury prevention, proper lifting, even tips for better sleep. As the new employee's first contact, the nurse has the chance to set a positive tone for the rest of employment.

The occupational health nurse also plays a large role in supporting the organization's current employees. The nurse provides required immunizations such as the flu shot in healthcare fields. The nurse also offers routine screenings such as blood draws, TB tests and respiratory fit tests. These screenings ensure the employee's safety while giving the nurse a chance to provide continuing safety education.

As an occupational health nurse myself, my favorite part of my job is preventative care. So often we healthcare providers are required to focus on the disease process and medication management. It is truly uplifting to have the opportunity to support your clients in maintaining and even improving their health. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this. Occupational health nurses are able to lead safety programs to help employees prevent back injuries and avoid needle sticks. We also lead wellness programs to support employees in losing weight, quitting smoking or even running their first 5K.

Of course, even with excellent preventative programs, injuries do occur, and when they do, the occupational health nurse is the first to become involved. The nurse will both treat the initial injury and then provide case management for the follow-up care. At the initial injury, the nurse will provide assessment and recommend further care if needed. The nurse will work with the injured employee's healthcare providers and insurance company to ensure appropriate treatment and compensation. If the employee must miss work due to illness or injury, the occupational health nurse will regularly check-in with the employee to plan a return to work date. This helps the employee safely transition back to work while minimizing time lost.

The field of occupational health gives nurses the chance to support their fellow employees in a unique way. If you enjoy community health and working independently, this area of nursing could be a great fit for you.