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BECOMING CERTIFIED IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Unlike in many other facets of the nursing field, nurses do not have their own certification for public health. Luckily, there is one they can earn.
BY MICHELE WOJCIECHOWSKI
Nurses working in the public health sector who wanted to earn certifications used to be able to attain an Advanced Public Health Nursing certification, which was offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). That certification, however, was retired, and while nurses who earned it can renew it, it is no longer offered on its own.
Since 2016, though, nurses with the appropriate education and work experience have been able to earn a Certification in Public Health (CPH) through the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE).
Allison Foster, MBA, CAE, president of the NBPHE, states that for nurses to be eligible for a CPH, they would need at least a bachelor’s degree as well as five years of work experience in the field of public health or they would need a graduate-level degree and at least three years of work experience in public health. As soon as nurses become eligible, they can take the exam as quickly as they want to.
“Public health focuses on populations-based problems with an emphasis on health promotion and prevention. This approach is necessary to having healthier communities,” she says. Foster adds that the CPH is different from other certifications because it certifies people in all areas of public health.
“It is fairly common for candidates to take a few months to review the study materials that are available on our website. We suggest candidates start by doing a self-assessment through our practice exam so they can map out a study strategy,” explains Foster. “Most candidates take a few months to review the materials, which
include webinars and study guides. But we do occasionally see candidates choose to take a class or two in domains where they have the least knowledge.” Zenobia Harris, DNP, MPH, CPH, president of the Association of Public Health Nurses as well as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Birthing Project, earned a CPH, she says, “Because it demonstrates that one has knowledge of key public health sciences and commitment to the field of public health. It requires that one regularly earn continuing education regarding current made me even more motivated to remain certified by seeking opportunities to work and volunteer in various capacities in public health,” she says.
Harris didn’t earn her CPH until after she had gotten her DNP. “I sought the CPH…to assist me in solidifying my personal commitment to being the best public health nurse administrator/practitioner I could be,” she says. “It has been helpful to me in several ways. I hope that the CPH certification would indicate to others that I am dedicated to the upward movement in my
In terms of what kinds of jobs nurses are qualified for after receiving their CPH certification, Harris says that there are a number of different ones in the fields of community health, population health, and public health including: PHN general-
a large percentage of health workers at state and local health departments and are an essential part of the frontline public health,” says Foster. “The workforce is strengthened if its professionals have the skills and knowledge deemed essential by the public health community and have a common body of knowledge. Because the standards for the CPH exam are built through a Job Task Analysis process, the CPH exam tests candidates on the skill and knowledge needed to work in contemporary public health.”
and emerging public health challenges and needs.”
When preparing for her CPH exam, Harris studied for about two hours per week. And it was worth it. “Earning the CPH has work in Public Health in general. Keeping my certification current assures that I remain knowledgeable about current practices, issues, and challenges in the field.”
ist or specialist roles in communicable disease, immunizations, maternal and child health, emergency preparedness, public health programs, and more.
“A nurse who has earned the CPH demonstrates a commitment to closing the gap between public and population health,” says Harris.
“Nurses are an incredibly important part of the public health system. They comprise
