Entry requirements (public health nurse)

Read more about the entry requirements for public health nurses. 

In order to work as a public health nurse, you must first qualify and register as a nurse or midwife. Following on from this, entry requirements will vary and may well be specific to individual positions.  

Experience or a qualification (or both) in one of the following areas may be an advantage:

  • community nursing
  • school nursing
  • staff nurse in health visiting team
  • work in A&E or walk-in centre settings
  • counselling and psychological help
  • occupational health
  • infection prevention and control 
  • health protection
  • practice nursing

There are other educational options and courses for those working in infectious disease, health protection, infection control, sexual health, drug and alcohol, smoking cessation and other areas.

A public health nurse may or may not hold a specialty community public health nurse (SCPHN) qualification.

Find out more about the training and development of public health nurses

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