Occupational health nurses (OHNs) are registered nurses (RNs) first and foremost, so must first complete all the usual schooling and certification necessary for that profession. Next, they must obtain the additional education and credentials necessary to specialize as an OHN. These nurses deal in issues of workplace and job site safety, accident and illness prevention on the job, and the design and implementation of health care plans. In the event of a workplace injury or illness, the OHN will provide initial care.
Registered nurses may take their initial training in the form of a certificate program, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree in nursing science. In each case the program supplements a standard science curriculum with medical courses such as anatomy, psychology and behavioral sciences, and physiology and nutrition, plus practical clinical experience. Nursing programs are available at community colleges, trade and vocational schools, universities and a variety of health care institutions.
Any registered nurse may pursue a specialization in occupational health. The Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN) credential is available to RNs with associate degrees and either 3,000 hours' practice in the field or successful completion of a certificate program in this specialty. The COHN requires the RN to have a bachelor's degree and either 3,000 hours' clinical experience, a certificate in occupational health nursing or a graduate degree in nursing with a concentration in occupational health. The candidate must also pass a written exam in order to be credentialed.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics quotes an average salary in 2009 of $66,530 for registered nurses in general, with the top 25 percent averaging $77,970. The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses conducted a survey of their members in 2006, showing an average salary at that time of $63,472. A total of 28 percent of respondents reported income of $70,000 and up, with some reporting income over $150,000 annually.