Julia Brown
Research Mentor(s): Marie-Anne Rosemberg
Mentor Department: Department of Systems, Populations, and Leadership
Authors: Marie-Anne Rosemberg, Julianne Armijo, Olivia Livernois, Julia Brown
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 117
Abstract
Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) are the largest group of healthcare professionals dedicated to employee health and wellness, yet their professional experiences are under explored. This mixed-methods study aimed to gain insight into OHN experiences both in their educational and clinical practice settings. This study recruited OHNs located in the United States through National OHN Associations, facilities that employed OHNs, social media, and snowball sampling. After participants consented and completed a survey, they were invited to an individual Zoom interview. As of March 2025, 104 individuals participated in the survey, and 32 of those individuals participated in the interviews. Of the 104 participants who responded to the survey, most had bachelor’s degrees. Their roles encompassed clinical staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse supervisors, field liaisons, consultants, entrepreneurs, professors, case managers, and risk managers. Workplace types included factories, hospitals, government agencies, telework, schools, mobile clinics, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics in locations such as theme parks, national labs, pharmaceutical facilities, and power plants. Overall, many participants expressed satisfaction with their autonomy, variety of work experiences, and enjoyment of the OHN specialty. They expressed the importance of increased awareness about the OHN specialty and the need for strong clinical skills as a fundamental prerequisite to the specialty. Better integration of the occupational health nursing specialty into nursing programs is needed. Understanding OHN’s professional experiences, educational programs, and employer support systems can ensure a healthy environment for OHNs and the workers they serve.
