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Occupational health nurse vs public health nurse

The differences between occupational health nurses and public health nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an occupational health nurse and a public health nurse. Additionally, an occupational health nurse has an average salary of $67,887, which is higher than the $60,319 average annual salary of a public health nurse.

The top three skills for an occupational health nurse include patients, OSHA and CPR. The most important skills for a public health nurse are community health, patients, and health education.

Occupational health nurse vs public health nurse overview

Occupational Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Yearly salary$67,887$60,319
Hourly rate$32.64$29.00
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs328,501310,843
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does an occupational health nurse do?

An Occupational Health Nurse provides and delivers health and safety programs and services to workers and community groups. They manage employee health records and statistics as well as develop and manage emergency procedures.

What does a public health nurse do?

A Public Health Nurse maintains the public's health through providing health services and information. They promote a healthy lifestyle, take part in health campaigns, and educate and inform the public about issues, such as preventing disease.

Occupational health nurse vs public health nurse salary

Occupational health nurses and public health nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Occupational Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Average salary$67,887$60,319
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $93,000Between $42,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityCupertino, CASan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyAppleDignity Health
Best paying industryAutomotiveGovernment

Differences between occupational health nurse and public health nurse education

There are a few differences between an occupational health nurse and a public health nurse in terms of educational background:

Occupational Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Occupational health nurse vs public health nurse demographics

Here are the differences between occupational health nurses' and public health nurses' demographics:

Occupational Health NursePublic Health Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 11.0% Female, 89.0%Male, 7.5% Female, 92.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between occupational health nurse and public health nurse duties and responsibilities

Occupational health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Facilitate rehabilitation of injure employees, utilizing case management to ensure coordination of care, FMLA and return-to-work program.
  • Provide emergency triage care as appropriate, dispense medications and treatments, and assist physicians with physical exams and/or psychiatric evaluations.
  • Exercise compassion and respect for all cultures.
  • Prepare for HIPAA and MI-OSHA reviews and audits.
  • Maintain and coordinate a and written a program.
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Public health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Assist in application of traction devices.perform routine tests such as urine dip stick, vision and hearing tests.
  • Dispense medications and provide education for TB patients.
  • Provide basic CPR classes at the community level as well.
  • Produce and conduct staff classes such as CPR, respiratory protection, infectious diseases, etc.
  • Instruct family in the care and rehabilitation of patient, maintenance of health and prevention of disease for family members.
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Occupational health nurse vs public health nurse skills

Common occupational health nurse skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • OSHA, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Spirometry, 5%
  • Health Promotion, 4%
Common public health nurse skills
  • Community Health, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Communicable Diseases, 5%
  • Home Health, 3%

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