Meet our Program Directors

L. Sue Davis, PhD, RN

Professor of Nursing

Procter Hall, Room 258
Phone: (513) 558-5280
Fax: (513) 558-2142
L.Sue.Davis@UC.Edu

Dr. Davis is a Professor in the College of Nursing and Director of the Occupational Health Nursing program. Dr. Davis' area of practice is occupational health, community and organizational systems, health planning, and impact evaluation. In addition to teaching, her experience spans 20 years of working with communities and organizations to assess system factors leading to diminished health outcomes. In this capacity she has consulted with organizations in planning and evaluating initiatives to improve health outcomes. Her most recent activities include the assessment and analysis of nursing care and the redesign of work systems to improve the quality of outcomes for provider and patient. She is currently conducting research on the interaction of system and worker factors contributing to musculoskeletal injuries in nursing personnel. Additionally, Dr. Davis has actively contributed to international occupational health and safety exchanges with nurses from Asia and Sweden.

FAQ'

What is occupational health nursing?
Occupational health nursing is a specialty practice that focuses on health promotion, risk reduction and restoration of health of people in a work setting. Occupational health nurses work in a variety of settings and have knowledge and skills in health promotion, primary care, case management, worker and environmental assessment and surveillance, management, legal monitoring, research, counseling and community outreach.

How long is the program?
The master's OHN program last five quarters for a total of 63 quarter credits.

What are the unique aspects of the program that I would not find in the other programs?
The program emphasizes a blend of occupational health nursing practice and management skills with a strong interdisciplinary focus. Our students take courses and complete projects with students in occupational medicine, industrial hygiene and safety engineering. Faculty from other colleges at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center work closely to give students a well-balanced education in which the emphasis is team work and nurses are equal partners with the other disciplines.

What kinds of clinical practice can I expect?
The program provides a significant number of opportunities to develop your skills as an occupational health nurse. It offers 540 practice hours in various industries and businesses throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Experiences for students outside the area are arranged with preceptors in settings closer to the student's home area.

Is there financial assistance?
Because we are a part of a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center (NIOSH-ERC), we are able to offer stipend support for most of our full-time students. This support also includes partial tuition support from the College of Nursing. Students are also eligible to apply for support to attend conferences and meetings related to occupational health and safety. Faculty help students who need research funding in submitting applications to the Pilot Research Project supported by the National Institute of Safety and Health.

Will I be eligible to sit for certification after completing the program?
On completion of the program you are eligible to sit for the AACN certification examination for community health nursing clinical nurse specialists. Depending on your hours of occupational nursing practice, you are also able to sit for the COHN-S about six months to a year following graduation.

What kinds of jobs are available for master's-prepared occupational health nurses?
Graduates of the program have taken jobs with, for example, NASA, large corporations, insurance companies, small companies, case management organizations, hospital occupational health departments, health departments, and state and federal government agencies.

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