-
Want to Learn More?
What is the MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing?
Both community health and public health nurses share the same goal: improving the health outcomes of the general public.
Community health nurses target specific populations and typically work outside a hospital and in more localized settings, such as county health agencies or local schools. By contrast, public health nursing is proactive in nature and public health nurses work in roles aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases. They are often found in state agencies or federal government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A Master of Science in Community/Public Health Nursing is designed for experienced nurses who want to expand their knowledge of population health and environmental health. Public health theories and research methods, community public health, and healthcare systems are explored.
Students in this MSN in community/public health nursing examine topics such as health promotion, advocacy, and health policy. Skills in identifying high-risk groups, providing healthcare services to underserved communities, and leveraging nursing interventions to support public health social justice initiatives are cultivated.
An MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing can serve as a foundation for responsibilities involving leadership, research, education, and policy development. Overall, a master’s degree in community and public health nursing is an excellent choice for nurses who want to have a positive impact on the health of communities and the public at large.
Why Choose This MSN in Community/Public Health?
The pandemic underscored the value of community public health. An MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing from American Military University can help you focus your nursing practice on serving the public health needs of communities, promoting healthier living, and approaching the discipline from a social justice perspective.
This community and public health nursing track covers topics such as epidemiology, community health, health policy, and disease prevention. You'll learn how healthcare and socio-economic factors interact to impact the health of the public.
AMU’s program offers flexibility. Our online format and delivery cater to the needs of working nurses. As an online program with no set login times, you will complete weekly assignments on your schedule without the time commitment or expense of commuting to a physical location.
Nursing classes are mostly 8 weeks long and start every other month, affording added control over your schedule.
About Our Accreditation
American Military University is part of American Public University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
This MSN in community/public health nursing also holds specialty accreditation. The master's degree program in nursing at American Public University System is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
CCNE is an independent accrediting agency that evaluates nursing degree programs based on factors such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, program outcomes, and educational resources.
CCNE accreditation validates that this program meets the accrediting agency’s comprehensive and rigorous standards. It also affirms that the University is committed to quality improvement and excellence in healthcare delivery.
CCNE accreditation also assures potential employers that graduates of this program are well-prepared with nursing knowledge and equipped to perform their role as a community or public health nursing professional effectively. Additionally, should you pursue further education, the institution will likely expect that you completed previous academic work through an accredited program.
The University System’s accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission also enables qualified individuals to seek federal financial aid and military tuition assistance.
AMU’s track strikes a balance between public health and community health. It prepares nurses to engage in public health and community health initiatives in order to serve, protect, and promote well-being using appropriate nursing interventions.
You will learn about public health assessment, policy development, and the prevention of disease. You will be prepared to be a change agent practicing with a social justice approach to address health disparities and promote health equity.
The goal is to engage stakeholders to support the health of high-risk groups, vulnerable populations, and communities as a whole. This concentration also aims to prepare nurses to develop public health education programs that seek to improve health outcomes.
Graduates are equipped to analyze social determinants of health using epidemiological data and other evidence. They are also prepared to apply the principles of social and behavioral sciences to develop or improve programs that address public health concerns. Additionally, graduates become proficient in promoting public health policies, programs, and resources.
Military Opportunities
Those in the military or wishing to pursue military service have several opportunities to defend our nation in a public health nursing capacity.
The Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, one of seven uniformed services, is one of the most recognized military operations serving on the frontlines in defense of public health worldwide. Dedicated to protecting and preserving the health and safety of our nation, the Corps is one of the most profound expressions of commitment to the cause of community and public health for an individual wishing to serve military duty. If you are an active-duty servicemember, direct questions about opportunities and recruitment to the Corps.
Are you a soldier or do you aspire to join the active-duty military ranks? The Army also has public health nurses as part of the Army Nurse Corps. Their specific endeavor involves assessing health risks to Army communities and promoting the well-being of fellow soldiers. To join in this capacity, you must meet physical requirements and attend Basic Training based on your status as either an enlisted soldier or officer. Questions about serving in the Army as a public health nurse should be directed to an Army recruiter.
How to Finance Your Studies
If you are an active-duty servicemember, National Guard member, Reservist, or military family member, you qualify for AMU’s Preferred Military Rate of $250/credit hour for master's-level students. Family members include military parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents. Eligible individuals also receive no-cost ebooks for this program. This can result in significant savings compared to similar programs. See Materials Cost for additional information.
Interested in other options? For more information about funding your education, visit our website to learn about the many ways to pay for your degree.
AMU offers two pathways to earn a degree in the community/public health nursing track:
- This Master of Science in Nursing: This is a standalone master’s degree program for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- The RN to MSN program: This path is for the registered nurse who holds an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or diploma and wishes to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a master’s degree in nursing through a single consolidated program.
Each route includes a practicum as a capstone experience. Clinical practice hours are completed in your local community and you will examine the significance of developing population health programs.
Benefits of Earning This Degree Online
American Military University offers its MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing degree fully online, with the exception of a practicum, conducted on-site at a location in your community. The practicum activity spans two courses.
Online delivery is well suited for those who want to advance their knowledge in community public health while balancing career and family responsibilities. Many students continue working full time while enrolled in AMU’s program, saving time and money on commuting expenses normally associated with campus-based programs.
American Military University's MSN community and public health specialization provides students with quality education in an accessible format. There are no set login times, so students can complete weekly assignments on their schedule.
Additionally, online learning provides students with exposure to technology in order to enhance their ability to use and navigate digital platforms with confidence.
Also, learners have access to faculty and fellow students who share their real-world experience in the virtual classroom, giving perspective on community health concerns in locations that differ from their own. Through discussion forums, students become familiar with health inequities among diverse communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
PHN stands for public health nurse. This nursing professional engages in nursing practice aimed at protecting and advancing the overall well-being of populations in order to create healthier communities. PHNs look at trends, educate individuals, and develop programs to curb the spread of disease. Much of their work involves research and epidemiology. The discipline merges the study of nursing, social, and public health sciences. They demonstrate particular expertise in designing programs to address the health of vulnerable populations and individuals in high-risk groups.
An MSN in public health is a specialization within a Master of Science in Nursing. A public health nurse has a specific focus on public health programs, especially those aimed at high-risk groups, developing culturally sensitive measures to advance the health and well-being of populations as a whole. Public health nursing is proactive, by nature, and supports health departments by protecting the safety of diverse populations with specialized health considerations. Community health nursing, on the other hand, is more reactive and responds to the health needs of a particular group, such as school children or diabetic patients.
AMU’s MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing track explores the study of both community health and public health.
Typically, a nurse works with individual patients on a day-to-day basis. A public health nurse, on the other hand, has the opportunity to make a profound impact on entire communities and populations. Their responsibilities involve analyzing health data and identifying high-risk groups and specific populations in need of education and nursing interventions. During the pandemic, for example, public health nurses helped identify and conduct outreach to those most vulnerable to the gravest consequences of COVID-19. So rather than touching the lives of individual patients one at a time, a public health nurse touches multiple lives by developing wellness programs to ensure healthy patient outcomes for those most susceptible to disease.