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South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - www.scdhec.gov

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Career Opportunities

Diversity in DHEC Nursing

The voice of experience... What some of our nurses have to say about DHEC Public Health Nursing: "Public health nursing promotes holistic nursing care. The focus is on the entire individual and family." "When I came to DHEC I knew I was making a difference in my community and helping people in their homes." "We serve people who are in need. They are grateful and thankful for everything you do for them." "I wanted to be a public health nurse because of the diverse services we can provide."

For more than 80 years public health nursing has been a rewarding and professionally satisfying career. DHEC offers to nurses a variety of practice areas that are flexible, team oriented, and focused on the care of individuals and populations. Clients range from newborns to seniors and from individuals to families and communities. Because of the diversity of the populations served, many types of nursing personnel are required to address their needs. For example, nursing assistants (PCAs, PHAs) work in clinics and home health care; Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) give direct care in health department clinics; RNs provide care and services in clinics, in community settings and in homes. Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are employed in primary care clinics and provide services according to their area of specialization; and nurses with master's and doctoral degrees fill roles as advanced practice nurses, consultants, supervisors, and as regional nursing directors.

Educational Preparation of Public Health Nurses

In order to encourage and support the health of the citizens of South Carolina, public health nurses need a background in social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, current treatment modalities, and community health care delivery systems. Baccalaureate nursing programs include courses focused on public health science and principles which help nurses to effectively assess, plan, implement, and evaluate public health practice. Because these programs educationally prepare graduates to meet the challenges of public health, DHEC prefers to employ nurses who have earned a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.

As a DHEC Public Health Nurse you can work with:

• Home Health Services
• Seniors
• Women's Health
• Children's Health
• Communicable Disease Prevention
• Surveillance, Treatment and Epidemiology
• Health Promotion
• Health Facilities Licensing and Certification
• Family Support Services
• Women Infants and Children (WIC)
• Disaster Preparedness
• Cancer Prevention and Control
• Employee Health

DHEC offers public health nurses a full range of benefits and opportunities for professional development. These include:

• individualized orientation;
• continuing education programs;
• professional organization involvement;
• tuition reimbursement (after three years of employment);*
• career advancement and development; and
• excellent vacation and retirement benefits.

* May not be available in all areas. Contact the Regional Nursing Director for Information.