News and Press Releases

When RMCOEH and Weber State University launched a new Occupational Health Nursing graduate certificate program in the fall, the hope was that it would grow quickly in order to address a significant need in the region for employers and workers. 

So far, so good. 

Just months after the program welcomed its first cohort of nurses, interest has been so strong that it’s already expanding. The program, which is conducted online and requires five courses totaling 15 credits, launched with fall enrollment as the only option for interested nurses. But given the number of prospective trainees who expressed interest in joining for the spring 2024 semester, Program Director Jodi Waddoups, MSN-Ed, quickly realized that a change was in order. 

She and the other faculty involved in the Occupational Health Nursing program quickly pivoted to allow spring enrollment — and the program welcomed four nurses in January who will complete their training as early as December. Two additional nurses have already been accepted for the fall 2024 semester, with three other applications pending. Several more nurses have also contacted Waddoups for more information about the program. 

Waddoups said the response to the program so far is indicative of occupational health nursing being a discipline in which nurses can forge a fulfilling career. 

“They are all looking for a place where they can be passionate about their work,” she said of the students who have enrolled in the program. 

The program has already established partnerships with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) and American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN). There has also been significant involvement from members of the program’s Advisory Committee, which meets quarterly, including a mentoring event in which the members fielded questions from 10 students or prospective students. 

Waddoups is optimistic about the program’s ability to continue to grow, including through efforts aimed at ensuring employers in the region understand the value of having occupational health nurses complete the program and obtain the graduate certificate in preparation for OHN-S certification. 

“That’s my goal for this year,” she said.