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Jodi Waddoups
MSN-Ed, RN, COHN-S
Occupational Health Nursing Program Director
Kat McColl
RMCOEH Graduate Academic Advisor
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Supervising the care of patients who’ve suffered workplace injuries. Leading a team that is designing a program to promote healthy living habits among a company’s workforce. Evaluating potential hazards at a job site and crafting preventive measures.
Occupational health nurses do this and much more—sometimes all in one day—in a diverse, engaging discipline that impacts countless workers. At RMCOEH, we understand the essential role occupational health nurses fill, from protecting worker health and safety to managing organizational risks, and are committed to equipping our trainees with the knowledge they need to thrive in this vital career.
What is Occupational Health Nursing?
Occupational health nursing is focused on the health, safety, and well-being of workers. This includes evaluating and treating patients—but in contrast to many other nursing disciplines, occupational health nurses often spend the majority of their time outside the treatment room. They are specially trained in occupational safety and health and are entrusted with bigger-picture responsibilities aimed at protecting workers, ranging from devising emergency response plans to providing training in workplace safety at seminars.
A certified occupational health nurse (COHN) may work in private companies, hospitals, clinics, labor organizations, consulting, academia, government, and many other settings. COHNs perform nursing, health promotion, health and safety assessments, safety program management, case management, counseling and crisis management, legal and regulatory compliance, and nearly any activity related to managing the health of a workforce.
Our Program
RMCOEH’s online Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) program through Weber State University's School of Nursing provides the education and skills needed to take advantage of the career paths available in this discipline, including leadership and management opportunities.
The program, which culminates in a graduate certificate, provides BSN-level nurses with the preparation to pass the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. certifying board examination and to excel in occupational health. The graduate certificate satisfies 2,000 of the required 3,000 hours of work experience to be eligible to take the certifying board examination.
A BSN is prerequisite for admission to the program. The certificate consists of five graduate-level courses totaling 15 credits. The certificate can be completed in as few as two semesters, but some nurses may take up to two years as they pursue the certificate alongside concurrent employment.
Career Outlook
Demand for occupational health nurses is high, and it’s expected to stay that way in the decades ahead as organizations grapple with the never-ending challenge of keeping their workers safe and healthy. Many occupational health nurses work directly for businesses or other organizations that have enough employees to require in-house health and safety programs, though jobs are also available in hospitals and other settings such as governmental organizations and insurance companies.
With an average salary of $99,000, according to a 2022 survey from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, occupational health nursing is also one of the most lucrative fields within nursing, making it a particularly enticing career path for people who envision making a difference in hundreds—or even thousands—of lives on a daily basis.
Other Resources
The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses provide a significant amount of information for occupational health nurses and people considering joining the field.
© 2025 Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health