» Occupational Health

For Masters Prepared Nurses

Simmons College/Harvard University joint program

In response to a growing discrepancy between the need for occupational health nurse practitioners and the present supply of such professionals, the Department of Nursing at Simmons College and the Harvard-Simmons Education and Research Center are offering a post-master's certificate in occupational health. The Harvard School for Public Health is a leader in the educational preparation of occupational health and safety professionals. The School of Health Sciences at Simmons College has a long-standing reputation for providing quality professional preparation in nursing, nutrition, physical therapy, and health care administration. Together, both institutions provide a strong connection between theoretical concepts in occupational health and safety and the application of these concepts to the clinical environment.

This program is designed for nurse practitioners with national certification in adult or family primary care nursing who would like to change their clinical focus to occupational health. The certificate program consists of 6 courses (16 graduate credits). Visit the Curriculum page for details on the required courses.

This program will prepare students to work in a variety of clinical settings including employee health centers; free standing occupational health outsourced clinics, onsite clinics in industry and to provide occupational health services within a primary care setting. The certificate will document that graduates have obtained the knowledge and skills needed to provide occupational health services programs. Graduate will be able to converse knowledgeably with employees, employers, physical therapists, and health and safety officers.

Although graduates of this program will not become Certified Occupational Health Nurses, they will have obtained the necessary education to take the national certifying exam, once they have obtained the required number of clinical hours.

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