Public health nursing is the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using the knowledge from nursing, social and public health sciences. As a public health nurse, you focus on the assessment of entire populations, and you create and implement interventions that are focused on the determinants of health and preventing illness (primary prevention) for individuals, families, and whole communities).
Public health nursing is a specialty practice within nursing and public health. The practice of public health nursing is a guided by the American Nurses Association Public Health Nursing: Scope & Standards of Practice and the Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organization’s Core Competencies for Public Health Nurses.
The Vermont Department of Health employs approximately 65 public health nurses who are involved in all areas of public health including maternal and child health, infectious disease control, school health, chronic disease prevention, immunizations and emergency preparedness. A baccalaureate in nursing (BSN) is recommended but is not a requirement for entry into practice for a public health nurse.
If you are interested in possible job opportunities, check the State of Vermont Career Center regularly.
There are many opportunities for nursing students to work with the Vermont Department of Health. We have agreements with the University of Vermont, Vermont Technical College, Norwich University, Castleton College, Southern Vermont College and Rivier University (NH) that allow us to host nursing students for clinical experience in public health nursing. The State of Vermont also has an internship program that can be utilized for nursing.
Find more information about internships at the Vermont Department of Human Resources.
– on public health nursing at the Vermont Department of Health, contact:
Margaret E. Wilson, RN BSN MPH
Public Health Nursing Director
TEL 802-951-0188
EMAIL [email protected]
– on the practice of public health nursing
visit the Association of Public Health Nurses or the American Public Health Association's Public Health Nursing Section