What Exactly Does an Employee Health Nurse Do?

Unlike most nurses who work in general or specialized clinical settings, the employee health nurse can work in a variety of work environments. For more injury-prone settings like manufacturing plants, these nurses serve a critical role in ensuring employees are safe and healthy.

Whether you’re an aspiring employee health nurse or an organizational leader looking to build or expand an occupational health program, the guide below will be valuable in informing you about this important occupation.

Get To Know the Employee Health Nurse Profession

1. The Importance of the Employee Health Nurse

An employee health nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in providing healthcare services to employees within a workplace setting. Their role is multifaceted, encompassing both preventative care and the treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses.

An employee health nurse acts as a vital link between employees and their health, contributing to a safe and healthy work environment.

For employees, employee health nurses:

• Improve health and well-being by promoting preventative care and early intervention, offering health education and resources, and addressing both physical and mental health needs.
• Reduce the risk and impact of occupational illnesses and injuries by conducting workplace safety assessments and implementing preventative measures, providing immediate care for work-related injuries, and managing return-to-work programs.
• Increase access to healthcare by providing convenient access to healthcare services within the workplace and serving as a trusted resource for employees with health concerns.

For the organization, employee health nurses:

• Reduce absenteeism by promoting employee health and helping prevent illness.
• Reduce healthcare costs by providing preventative care and early intervention to reduce the need for costly medical treatments and managing occupational injuries to minimize workers’ compensation claims.
• Improve employee morale and retention by creating a healthy, safe work environment, and making employees feel valued and supported.

2. Education, Licensure, and Certification Requirements

The employee health nursing profession requires a combination of education and licensure. There are also optional certifications that would be beneficial to pursue.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): This is the minimum educational requirement for becoming an RN. ADN programs typically take two to three years to complete at a community college or vocational school.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A BSN is increasingly preferred by employers, especially in larger organizations or those with more complex health programs. BSN programs typically take four years to complete at a university or college. A BSN often opens more doors for career advancement and specialization.
• RN license: This state-issued license is required to be a practicing RN. You will typically need to provide proof of graduation, undergo a background check, and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), a standardized exam that assesses your competency to practice as an RN. This license must be renewed periodically, which may require continuing education hours.
• Occupational health nursing certification: Certifications are optional, but obtaining one or more once you gain experience in this profession can make you more competitive in the job market. Two that demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in occupational health nursing include the Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) and Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S) certifications, offered by the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN).

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, nearly half (45.4%) of RNs entered the workforce with a bachelor’s degree? This underscores the importance of seeking the more advanced education that a BSN offers to increase your chances of securing employment.

3. Skills and Qualities

Successful employee health nurses tend to have a specific collection of skills and qualities, which we’ve broken down by broad categories below.

Clinical Skills

• Assessment and evaluation: The ability to accurately assess employee health concerns, including injuries, illnesses, and wellness needs. Proficiency in conducting physical assessments, interpreting vital signs, and evaluating health records is also helpful.
• Emergency response: Knowledge of first aid, CPR, and other emergency procedures, along with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to workplace injuries and medical emergencies.
• Immunization and screening: Proficiency in administering vaccinations and conducting health screenings.
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety: Understanding of OSHA regulations, workplace hazards, preventative measures, and return-to-work programs.
• EHR proficiency: Accurate and timely documentation entry and upkeep in an EHR system.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Empathy and compassion: Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of employees and demonstrate care and concern for employee well-being.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, specifically with the ability to explain complex medical information in a clear and understandable way.
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and collaborate with management, HR, and other departments.
• Education and training: Ability to develop and deliver effective health education programs.

Qualities

• Problem-solving and critical thinking: Ability to analyze situations, identify problems, and develop effective solutions based on your specific workplace setting.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and handle unexpected situations that may arise from your specific workplace and employee populace.
• Continuous learning: Commitment to staying up to date on the latest advancements in occupational health.
• Advocacy: Ability to advocate for employee health and safety.

The Life of an Employee Health Nurse

1. Typical Responsibilities

The focus of an employee health nurse in the name—employees. Many of their nurse-ly duties revolve around ensuring employees are healthy and happy and their workplace is safe.

To address employee needs, employee health nurses typically:

• Treat injuries and illnesses. They provide first aid and emergency care for workplace injuries, such as cuts, burns, sprains, and fractures, assess and treat minor illnesses, and refer employees to appropriate medical professionals for further evaluation and treatment.
• Administer medications and immunizations. These nurses administer prescribed medications, such as injections and oral medications, and provide vaccinations, such as flu shots.
• Conduct health screenings. They perform pre-employment health screenings and conduct routine health assessments, such as blood pressure checks and vision tests.
• Develop and implement wellness programs. Occupational health nurses create programs to promote healthy lifestyles, including initiatives related to nutrition, exercise, stress management, and smoking cessation. They may also organize health fairs and educational workshops.
• Provide health education. They educate employees about health risks, preventative measures, and healthy habits, as well as provide information on specific health conditions and treatments.
• Counsel and support employees. They provide confidential counseling and support to employees with health concerns, and offer resources and referrals to community health services.

To address workplace and administrative needs, employee health nurses typically:

• Conduct workplace hazard assessments. They identify and assess potential workplace hazards that could lead to injuries or illnesses, and recommend measures to prevent or mitigate these hazards.
• Manage workers’ compensation cases. They coordinate return-to-work programs for employees who have been injured on the job, maintain accurate records of workplace injuries and illnesses, and assist with OSHA record keeping.
• Ensure regulatory compliance. They stay up to date on OSHA regulations and other relevant safety standards, and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Maintain employee health records. They keep accurate and confidential records of employee health information, including medical histories, immunizations, and injury reports, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Generate reports. They prepare reports on workplace injuries, illnesses, and health trends, as well as the effectiveness of wellness programs.

2. Work Settings

Since employee health nurses may sometimes work outside of healthcare facilities, knowing their typical work settings is essential.

Firstly, not every organization will have an employee health nurse. Factors that influence this decision include:

• Industry risk. High-risk industries, such as manufacturing and construction, are more likely to employ employee health nurses, even in smaller organizations.
• Employee population. Larger organizations with a significant number of employees are more likely to have dedicated employee health nurses. Smaller organizations may contract with occupational health clinics or utilize part-time nurses.
• Company culture. Organizations that prioritize employee health and safety are more likely to invest in staffing these nurses, regardless of size.
• Regulatory requirements. Certain industries or jurisdictions may have regulations that mandate the presence of an employee health nurse.
• Cost-benefit analysis. Companies weigh the cost of employing an employee health nurse against the potential benefits, such as reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and improved productivity.

The various settings where employee health nurses may work include:

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities. Healthcare workers themselves require occupational health services due to exposure to infectious diseases, ergonomic hazards, and stress.
• Manufacturing plants. These environments often have a higher risk of occupational injuries, making employee health nurses crucial for providing immediate care and implementing safety measures.
• Corporate offices. Employee health nurses in these settings focus on promoting wellness programs, managing stress-related health issues, and providing ergonomic assessments.
• Construction sites. These sites present numerous safety hazards, requiring employee health nurses to provide onsite care and implement relevant safety protocols.
• Industrial facilities. Settings such as oil and gas and chemical plants involve high-risk environments, necessitating employee health nurses with specialized knowledge of hazardous materials and emergency response approaches.

3. Technology

Technology is increasingly integrated into the daily life of an employee health nurse. Below are typical hardware and software solutions employee health nurses use as part of their job duties.

• Electronic health records (EHRs): Streamline documentation, improve data accuracy, and facilitate efficient communication. Used to maintain accurate and secure employee health records; document patient encounters, assessments, and treatments; and track immunizations, screenings, and other health data.
• Telehealth platforms: Expand access to healthcare, especially for remote employees, and enables timely interventions. Used to conduct virtual consultations with employees, provide remote health assessments and monitoring, and offer virtual wellness coaching and education.
• Occupational health software: Improves workplace safety and ensures regulatory compliance. Used to manage incident reporting and investigations, track workplace injuries and illnesses, and generate OSHA reports and compliance documentation.
• Medical devices and monitoring equipment: Enable accurate health assessments and monitoring. Devices include blood pressure monitors, thermometers, wearable technology, and hearing and vision testing equipment, among others.

4. Salary Expectations

How much does an employee health nurse make? Of course, exact salary expectations vary based on education, experience, geographic location, and work setting.

As a general preview, Salary.com estimates the pay range for an occupational health staff RN to be about $71,000 to $114,000, with the median salary being approximately $93,000.

In addition, here are some example salaries based on different pay factors using the same Salary.com data:

• Median pay for an employee health nurse in Chicago, Illinois, with 3 to 4 years of experience is about $97,000.
• Median pay for an employee health nurse in Houston, Texas, with 5 to 6 years of experience is about $93,000.
• Median pay for an employee health nurse in New York, New York, with 1 to 2 years of experience is about $109,000.

The Role of Employee Health Nurse Is Vital and Varied

The employee health nurse occupies a vital and remarkably varied role within modern workplaces. From providing immediate care for injuries to championing comprehensive wellness programs, these nurses bridge the gap between employee well-being and organizational success. As healthcare evolves, the demand for BSN-prepared and technology savvy nurses grows, reflecting the need for advanced skills in this dynamic field. Whether in manufacturing plants, corporate offices, or healthcare facilities, employee health nurses are essential for fostering safe, healthy, and productive work environments.