Occupational Health Nurse
Protect and promote the health of working people by advising employers on fitness for work, managing workplace illness, and delivering health surveillance — an NMC-registered specialist nursing role.
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3 years RN + 1–2 years postgraduate SCPHN/OHN qualification; experienced RNs from any field can enter; postgraduate OHN certificate route available without full SCPHN for those already working in occupational health
Registered Nurse (NMC) + Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) Occupational Health Nursing pathway (postgraduate diploma or MSc, 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time) or Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Health Nursing. SCPHN registration is recorded on the NMC register.
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What you do
Occupational health nurses (OHNs) sit at the intersection of clinical nursing and workplace health. You conduct pre-employment health assessments, carry out statutory health surveillance programmes (for noise, vibration, hazardous substance exposure, and night working), advise managers on fitness for work and reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, provide case management for employees with long-term health conditions, conduct sickness absence reviews, and support return-to-work planning. You contribute to workplace health promotion (mental health, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular health), provide first aid training, and advise on workplace risk assessments. OHNs work independently with significant professional autonomy; you often act as the primary clinical decision-maker in a standalone occupational health service. Some OHNs hold specialist qualifications including Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) via the Occupational Health Nursing pathway, which is recorded on the NMC register.
Why this career is resilient
Occupational health is a legally mandated function for many employers — the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated regulations require workplace health surveillance and risk management. The NHS itself employs large numbers of occupational health nurses to manage its own workforce. Post-pandemic recognition of workplace mental health, long COVID case management, and workforce wellbeing has expanded demand for occupational health services. The shortage of qualified OHNs is significant and widely reported by the Society of Occupational Medicine and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. Experienced OHNs can move into independent consultancy, creating strong self-employment potential.
A typical day
Morning: conduct two return-to-work assessments for employees following long-term sickness absence, completing management referral reports and recommending phased returns and reasonable adjustments. Run a health surveillance clinic for workers exposed to hand-arm vibration — testing grip strength and collecting symptom questionnaires. Afternoon: advise an HR team on managing a complex case of an employee with a new cancer diagnosis, ensuring the employer meets Equality Act obligations.
Routes in
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Pay and costs
Earning potential: NHS Band 6 (£37,338–£44,962) for qualified OHN. Experienced or SCPHN-qualified: Band 7 (£46,148–£52,809). Private sector OHN roles: £38,000–£52,000 employed. Independent OHN consultants: day rates of £300–£600; annual earnings highly variable depending on client base.
Training costs: RN degree: standard tuition fees with NHS Learning Support Fund (£5,000/year non-repayable grant) available for eligible nursing students. SCPHN OHN postgraduate qualification: often employer-funded; self-funding costs vary by institution (£5,000–£12,000). NMC annual registration fee applies.