What Is an Occupational Health Nurse?

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jul 15, 2026

An occupational health nurse treats a patient with a knee injury.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 2.5 million workplace injury and illness cases in 2024. This number of cases exemplifies the importance of protecting employees against hazards, illnesses, and injuries. Many organizations turn to occupational health nurses to help them prevent and safeguard against these incidents.

Not only do occupational health nurses help keep employees productive and healthy through practical strategies, but they also perform crisis prevention, case management, and hazard detection to establish and maintain safe work environments. They also must adhere to strict confidentiality and government compliance rules.

Occupational health nurses need a variety of clinical, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and emergency care skills. If you’re interested in this important role, a comprehensive nursing education is a necessary step that prepares you to pass the national nursing licensure examination and enter the workforce as a knowledgeable and trained nurse.

Occupational Health Nurse Definition

Occupational health nurses, sometimes referred to as occupational and environmental health nurses, are registered nurses (RNs) in non-bedside roles who specialize in treating individuals who’ve experienced work-related injuries or illnesses and promoting work environments that are safe and comply with all regulations. Their role is important because they establish preventive measures that protect employees and workspaces from hazards.

Occupational health nurses’ skills are needed in various environments, including academia, manufacturing facilities, government offices, medical centers, clinics, and hospitals. Depending on their employers, they may work independently or as part of safety teams.

Occupational Health Nurse Responsibilities

The duties that occupational health nurses perform help support the well-being of employees and maintain the safety of their work environments. They often use the team nursing model, which involves collaborating with other professionals to care for patients. Their most common responsibilities are:

Assessing and reporting work-related and nonwork-related injuries and illnesses
Counseling organizations on workplace safety standards
Observing and tracking employees’ occupational health conditions
Maintaining Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) records
Collaborating with health safety officials, physicians, and human resources professionals on safety programs
Managing employees’ worker’s compensation claims
Evaluating workstations and offering suggestions to prevent work-related injuries
Serving as the organization’s occupational health and safety expert
Educating employees on preventive health measures such as stress management and disease prevention
Developing and reviewing current workplace health and safety protocols and guidelines

OSHA Compliance and Workers’ Compensation Support

Occupational health nurses play a central role in helping organizations meet federal workplace safety standards and manage employee injury claims. Their work supports compliance with OSHA regulations by ensuring accurate documentation, timely reporting, and consistent monitoring of workplace hazards. They review incident trends, participate in safety audits, and collaborate with leadership to correct issues that could lead to OSHA violations.

These nurses also guide employees and employers through the workers’ compensation process. They help evaluate injuries, coordinate care, communicate with insurance representatives, and track recovery progress to support safe return‑to‑work planning. Their involvement helps reduce delays, improve claim accuracy, and ensure that both employees’ health needs and organizations’ legal responsibilities are met.

How to Become an Occupational Health Nurse

Like other registered nurses, occupational health nurses must complete an accredited nursing program — a diploma program, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Then they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to gain licensure and begin practicing.

You can gain experience in entry-level nursing roles to learn to perform basic duties such as conducting health assessments, maintaining records, and making referrals. You can also learn practical skills while working in critical care, community health, or ambulatory care departments.

Recommended Skills

Every registered nurse should have certain general skills and competencies, such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, and medical knowledge. However, competency in the following specific areas is key for occupational health nurses:

Risk assessment: During their assessments of employees, occupational health nurses need to determine whether they’re fit to return to their workplace.
Preventive health: These nurses often promote healthy lifestyle strategies such as following nutrition and weight control programs, staying up to date on immunizations, and managing stress.
Teaching: Aside from clinical tasks, these nurses may be asked to coordinate first aid classes or teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes to employees.
Case management: This skill is vital as these nurses oversee work-related and nonwork-related injury cases in preparation for decisions on disability or workplace compensation.

Occupational Health Nursing Certifications

Many nurses pursuing careers in workplace health and safety choose to earn a nationally recognized certification through the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN). They include the following:

The Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) credential is designed for nurses whose work centers on direct clinical care in occupational health settings.
The Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN‑S) credential focuses on broader occupational health functions such as program management, regulatory compliance, policy development, and workplace hazard assessment.

Occupational Health Nurse Salary and Job Outlook

The BLS projects that employment of RNs, including occupational health nurses, will grow 5% between 2024 and 2034. The BLS also reports that, as of May 2024, the median salary for RNs was $93,600. Salaries can depend on location, experience, education, and skills. Generally, choosing a nurse specialty can lead to a higher income potential and more career opportunities.

Launch Your Occupational Health Nurse Career

Whether you’re just entering the nursing field or are interested in transitioning to a new specialty, becoming an occupational health nurse can provide you with the opportunity to promote and maintain the health and safety of employees.

To help you gain the skills and knowledge to excel in this growing field, The University of Tulsa offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program that students who already have a bachelor’s in another field can complete in as few as 21 months. With small class sizes, supportive faculty, and modern course content, the ASBN prepares students for the national licensure examination.

If you’re ready to use a combination of clinical and administrative skills to impact the health standards of workplaces, discover how The University of Tulsa can help support your career goals.

Recommended Readings

How to Become a Research Nurse

RN vs. BSN: Why Earn Your BSN?

What Are the 3 P’s in Nursing?

Sources:

American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Certification

American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, COHN / COHN-S Eligibility

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Education

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Practice

Indeed, “What Is an Occupational Health Nurse? (Duties and Salary)”

OSHA, Office of Occupational Medicine and Nursing

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2024