The certificate program is designed to strengthen the knowledge and expertise of registered nurses (RNs) working in occupational health wherever they may practice - in the United States and/or internationally - through existing Internet/Blackboard courses that are currently available in the Public Health Leadership Program.

 

The Occupational Health Nursing Certificate is an academic program of study.  Students take 11-12 credits in coursework that has been specially developed for distance education.  All credits earned are completely transferable (for 10 years) as part of the requirements for the completion of the OHN Concentration MPH degree.  Students will be able to register, receive materials, interact with faculty, order books, and successfully complete this program while only traveling to campus once.  A connection to the Internet is all that is required! 

REQUIRED COURSE 

Concerns factors influencing the development and operation of occupational health programs.  General and special health services contingent on work environment and inherent health problems in the employed populations are considered.  Fall Semester.

This course is offered for one week on-campus and students will take this in conjunction with current OHN program Masters' students.

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ENVR 423:  Industrial Toxicology (3 credits)
Toxicological assessment of and a case presentation of related exposure is given.  A conceptual approach is utilized to design appropriate programs to prevent worker ill health due to industrial toxicant exposure.  Spring Semester.

 

ENVR 432: Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (3 credits)
Fundamentals of occupational safety and ergonomics with emphasis on legislation and organization of industrial safety and ergonomic programs, including hazard recognition, analysis, control, and motivational factors pertaining to industrial accident and cumulative trauma disorder prevention.  Fall Semester.

 

PHNU 787:  Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene (2 credits)
Provides broad understanding of industrial hygiene.  Major emphasis is recognition of hazards in the workplace, evaluation of measurement of those hazards, and application of control strategies. Fall Semester.

 

PUBH 785:  Interdisciplinary Approaches to Occupational Health (3 credits)
Focuses on work, workplace exposures and hazards, and their effect on health.  Interdisciplinary approaches to risk identification, reduction, and communication will be emphasized within regulatory and ethical contexts.  Spring Semester.

 

EPID 600:  Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
An introductory course that considers the meaning, scope, and applications of epidemiology to public health practice and the uses of vital statistics data in the scientific appraisal of community health.  Fall Semester; Spring Semester, Summer Session

• Registered Nurses (RNs) who want to learn more about occupational health nursing
• OHNs who want to broaden their knowledge and education in occupational health nursing
• OHNs who have assumed greater administrative and management responsibilities and desire more formal education in occupational health nursing
• OHNs wishing to pursue an MPH in Occupational Health Nursing and expecting to use some or all of these credits towards that goal

Criteria for Admission 

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Two years or more experience in occupational health nursing
• Personal statement describing desire to expand expertise in occupational health nursing
• Two letters of recommendation:  one academic (preferred) and one from a professional colleague

Application forms and materials will only be accepted online via the My UNC site. There is no application fee required.  Deadline is March 1.

Please fill out your application completely.  Pay special attention to the Statement of Purpose.  Once you begin your application, please make sure to write down your user name and password, so that you are able to go back into the original application that you started.