Seven Career Pathways Made Possible with a Public Health PMC

If you've earned your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, but are looking to dive deeper into the world of healthcare, a Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) in Public Health may be right for you. It’s an opportunity to bolster your nursing expertise and pursue a specialization in public health.

But what exactly is a PMC? Let's dive into what this certificate is all about and seven of the many ways you can use it.

What is a PMC in Public Health?

A Post-Master’s Certificate in Public Health is a specialized program designed for nurses who already hold an MSN degree and want to pivot their focus toward public health. Essentially, it's an investment in your skills and knowledge that will equip you with the advanced tools needed to address complex health challenges at the community level.

At Herzing University, the PMC in Public Health is a 16-credit post-graduate nursing program that prepares you for a career as a public health nurse. The flexible online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in public health nursing advocacy and policy, health promotion and education, health policy and regulation and much more.

This can be a great pathway for current and future nurse practitioners looking for a change of scenery without moving away from nursing altogether. Simply put, it adds more knowledge to your nursing skill set, specifically tailored to help you tackle the big-picture health issues affecting entire communities. 

What are the career possibilities with a PMC in Public Health?

Now that you understand what a PMC is, let's explore some of the exciting career paths you can pursue with it:

1. Lead Community Health Initiatives: With a PMC in Public Health, you'll help to design programs to promote healthy lifestyles, advocate for underserved populations and lead disease prevention efforts; making an impact where it matters most.
2. Drive Policy Change: Are you interested in influencing healthcare policy? With your PMC in public health, you'll have the knowledge and skills to advocate for policies that improve public health outcomes. You'll be a key player in shaping the future of healthcare policy.
3. Conduct Research and Analysis: If you're good with numbers and passionate about uncovering trends, a PMC in Public Health can allow you to shine doing research and analysis. Whether it's crunching data to identify emerging health threats or evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs, your expertise will be in high demand.
4. Collaborate Across Disciplines: Public health is all about collaboration. With your PMC, you can work with professionals from different backgrounds, like epidemiologists, health educators, policymakers and community leaders. Together, you can find innovative solutions for today’s most complex health puzzles.
5. Address Global Health Challenges: From infectious diseases to environmental health hazards, the world is facing a wide range of health challenges. With your PMC, you'll be prepared to address these issues on a global scale. Whether it's volunteering abroad or working with international organizations, your expertise is needed wherever health crises appear.
6. Educate and Empower Communities: Knowledge is power. With your PMC in Public Health, you'll be a much-needed community resource for information and awareness. Whether it's teaching health literacy classes, leading workshops on disease prevention or advocating for health equity, you can help communities assess their current preparedness.
7. Innovate and Adapt: With your PMC, you'll be prepared to adapt to new challenges and embrace emerging technologies within your current field or somewhere exciting and brand new. Whether it's leaning into the power of telehealth or leveraging data analytics to improve patient outcomes, your ability to innovate will set you apart in the field.

A PMC in Public Health isn't just a piece of paper – it's an open door to countless career opportunities. From leading community health initiatives to driving policy change, the skills and knowledge you gain will help you make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities alike. Take the first step with Herzing University today.