Certification & Career Opportunities

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. Graduates of the program have taken jobs with large corporations, insurance companies, small companies, case management organizations, hospital occupational health departments, health departments and state and federal government agencies.

Clinical Hours

Students work extensively with preceptors in a variety of industrial, corporate, hospital-based and nurse-managed occupational health settings. The program requires 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.

Prior Experience

Prior experience is not a requirement for this program.

Program of Study

The program can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in six quarters (two academic years).

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 from the College of Nursing.

Program Courses