Changes in the U.S. healthcare system are increasing the demand for nurses, especially those with public health and population health knowledge. Public health training is essential for nurses to be able to tackle current and future healthcare challenges.
Public health nursing pathways
Nursing majors expand your public health knowledge
To prepare you for your future nursing career, we will equip you with the public health knowledge you will need. As a nursing major you are encouraged to complete as many public health courses as possible. This includes general elective coursework and minors offered by the Fairbanks School of Public Health. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the best possible public health options for you.
You might take:
- PBHL-A 120: Culture, Health, and Happiness (Cultural Understanding)
- PBHL-E 210: Zombie Apocalypse and Doomsday Infections (Life and Physical Science)
- PBHL-P 109: Introduction to Public Health (Social Sciences)
You will be better prepared to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing if you complete minors within the field of public health, including:
See what our students are saying
Kimberly Osborne, BSHSM'22
"The Health Services Management degree provided me with an understanding of how the health care system functions. I am now planning to combine that with a clinical degree in nursing, through the accelerated BSN program."
Braxton Gray, BSN
"I feel like it is important to understand how health care facilities run, and how the health system works in order to be a good nurse."
Shelby Horton, Registered Nurse, BSHSM'20, ABSN'22
"Within a few years, I hope to start my own aesthetic clinic and my background in health services management and nursing will make that possible."
Combine your public health education with a nursing degree
The Fairbanks School of Public Health, in collaboration with the IU School of Nursing, will support BS in Public Health students and BS in Health Services Management students who wish to combine their Fairbanks education with a nursing degree through the IU Second Degree Accelerated BSN program.
If you are interested in earning a second degree in nursing, this pathway will allow students completing a Fairbanks degree, who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and earn a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses, to receive guaranteed direct admission to the ABSN program, exclusive mentorship, specialized advising and tailored programming to support your pursuits.
Want to learn more? Contact one of our advisors, who will be happy to assist you.
