Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Videos on the Web
- Public Health Nurse- from: Youtube Search
- District Nurse- from: iCould [UK] Video
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Working Life
Public health nurses (PHNs) in Ireland currently work as part of a multidisciplinary team. PHNs are based in health centres and primary care centres. Care is also delivered in the home and clinic setting.
PHNs offer guidance and information to clients about how best to meet their health needs, when they meet patients. PHNs assess whether other health professionals are required in the primary care team.
PHNs provide a generalist nursing service to a broad range of patient or client groups including:
- older people who live at home
- people who are chronically ill at home
- people who are acutely ill at home
- people who are dying at home
- people with disabilities
- people suffering social deprivation
- members from the travelling community
- expectant mothers and mothers who have recently given birth
- children (settings include infant welfare services, child health services and school health services)
Services provided are extensive, covering all areas across primary, secondary, tertiary and end-of-life care.
A summary of key areas includes:
- To manage and provide safe, comprehensive clinical nursing services for patients having regard to the care needs and priorities
- To liaise with hospitals and other care professionals to facilitate discharge planning and planning patient care
- To provide support, education and preventive services (including screening, disease control, immunisation, breastfeeding support) as appropriate
- To provide assessment, identification of need for and supervision of home help and home care attendant services
- To provide ongoing monitoring of infant, child, maternal and family health, including home visits following early discharge and developmental screening and examinations
- To provide child welfare and protection, including working closely in partnership with colleagues in the area
- To provide school health service and subsequent follow-up activities
- To complete records and supply reports as required
- To act as preceptors and provide support for student RPHNs and other student nurses
The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the duties and skills for this occupation can be found here.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
- Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.
- Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poizoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.
Further Information
- District Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Sexual Health Adviser- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Public Health Nurse
Registered Public Health Nurses need to be able to take the initiative, adopt a responsible approach to decision making, and be flexible enough to devise the most appropriate health care plan for each individual.
Tact, patience, sympathy, adaptability and good communication skills are essential. Registered Public Health Nurses work closely with other health professionals, so you must be prepared to work as part of a team
Skills and Competencies
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
- Demonstrate evidence of effective organisation and management skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money
- Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment
- Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect
- Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
- Demonstrate initiative and innovation, identifying areas for improvement, implementing and managing change
- Demonstrate effective communication skills
- Demonstrate a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role
Interests - Public Health Nurse
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Public Health Nurse
There are many pathways into a career in nursing. Nursing careers encompass areas of general nursing, children’s nursing, intellectual disability nursing, midwifery, mental health nursing, public health nursing and theatre peri-operative nursing. Different career areas of nursing may involve post graduate NFQ level 9 study along with undergraduate college NFQ level 8. There are a number of different pathways to prepare you for a career in nursing. All of these entry routes also apply to mature entrants. Further information available at NMBI Careers in Nursing and Midwifery.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: nursing studies, healthcare support, community and health services, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, biology.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Certain Specific QQI Level 5 Certificate Programmes can provide links to Nursing Degree Programmes.
- Nursing Studies (5M4349)
- Community and Health Services (5M4468)
- Healthcare Support (5M4339)
In all cases places are limited and applicants must have achieved distinctions in five components including;
- Anatomy and Physiology (5N0749)
- Nursing Theory and Practice (5N4325)
- Human Growth and Development (5N1279) or Biology (5N2746)
You can find details of where these courses are run by entering the course titles into the Course Finder from the link below.
Search for PLC Courses
If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Healthcare sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required.
Search Progression Routes
Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place in nursing under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.
Contact the Admissions Office of the individual (EB’s) Education Body or visit CAO Nursing FET- QQI places.
You can also check NMBI Careers in Nursing & Midwifery for any changes.
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
The Higher Education route is the most common route for students considering a nursing career. A full list of nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses. Example search terms include: public health nutrition, public health sciences, healthcare, nursing.
General Nurse (RGN)
There are 4 pre-registration level nursing training programmes available, all of which are at Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree:
- BSc in General Nursing (RGN)
- BSc in Mental health Nursing (RPN)
- BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing (RNID)
- BSc in Children's and General (integrated) Nursing
Programmes are offered through Higher Education Institutions (HEls) in association with the main healthcare agencies (hospitals/clinical sites) public health nutrition, public health sciences.
Search for CAO Courses
Tertiary Education Programmes
Tertiary Education Programmes are a new pathway to a bachelor's degree. The tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5 year programme. Students spend the first year in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector then progress to the corresponding third level college with locally designated pathways (Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Castlebar, St Angela's College, Sligo or Donegal and Munster Technical University (MTU) Kerry) to undertake their four-year Nursing programme.
Search Tertiary Education Programmes
Mature Entry
All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry, applicants are also required to sit a test. The Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI) assesses candidates.
Mature entry route is based on applying for a nursing course via www.cao.ie by 1st February or late application date of 1st May. Applicants can also avail of the change of mind facility on CAO up to 1st July. Although it is possible to make a late application to mature nursing, it is not possible to apply late for other mature entry routes. Other mature entry routes should be applied for by 1st February, to ensure they can engage in any mature assessments.
Places are limited and mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the Nursing programme and will also be assessed based on each Colleges [RPL] Recognition of prior learning.
Check out NMBI Mature student guide for more information.
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8). A full list of postgraduate nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.
Example search terms include: health, nursing.
- NUIG NUI Galway Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing)
- UCD Nursing (Public Health)
- UCC Public Health Nursing
- ATU St. Angela's College Sligo Community Mental Health Nursing
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Career/Professional Development
A Nurse (RGN) who is not registered as a midwife (RM) with NMBI must also complete a Child & Maternal Health module. Successful completion will entitle you to apply for registration with the NMBI Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland. Following qualification as a registered public health nurse there are several career pathways available including management, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and specialist areas of work such as schools, immunisation, lactation consultant and tissue viability.
The National Office of Nursing and Midwifery will provide further information and guidance on supporting your nursing career options. Check out a list of current CPD on offer.
Pay & Salary - Public Health Nurse
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €39k - €82k
Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience, and pay scales for HSE staff.
Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Indeed
Last Updated: March, 2025
Labour Market Updates - Public Health Nurse
This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Nurses and midwives.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
This occupation is the second largest (after sales assistants) across all occupations. Employment growth was above average, with particularly strong growth between 2021 and 2023 (an additional 20,500 persons employed). There was also a high number of recent job hires for this role, reflecting both the employment growth and turnover in roles with short-term contracts. Almost all employed were female (90%) and 37% were non-Irish citizens. This is also reflected in the high number of employment permits, the highest across all occupations, with staff nurses the most common role where permits were issued.
There was a relatively high volume of jobs advertised online (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) and of posts notified to DSP for nurses; difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey included for staff nurses, theatre, ICU, oncology, and nurse managers. Recent changes to the education/training for nurses has seen additional places on existing courses and new routes (e.g. tertiary programmes and allocated places for students from the Republic of Ireland to study in Northern Ireland) which will go some way to alleviating issues with sourcing nurses in the coming years.
A high demand for nurses is likely to persist and replacement demand alone for such a large occupation will also contribute to continued job openings.
Useful Contacts - Public Health Nurse
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Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE Dr Steevens’ Hospital
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Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
