Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become an Occupational Health Nurse

Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) are Registered Nurses with a diploma or degree in Nursing (ie. RN and RPN). OHNs work closely with managers, supervisors, human resources departments, and individual employees to maintain, promote, and restore the workforce's health, safety, and well-being. This profession requires unique skills and knowledge, making it both a challenging and rewarding career path.

What Do Occupational Health Nurses Do?

OHNs can help businesses build and maintain a healthy workforce. They often work with employers to develop innovative and business-compatible health, safety and wellness programs tailored to workforce environments. OHNs hold a dynamic and diverse role in the workplace.

Did you know that in 1979, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) came into effect in Ontario? This landmark legislation gave workers a voice in how occupational health and safety are approached in the workplace. Since then, the role of OHNs has become increasingly important in promoting safer and healthier work environments.

How to become an Occupational Health Nurse

As an RN/RPN interested in starting a career as an Occupational Health Nurse, Durham College’s Professional and Part-Time Learning offers an Occupational Health Nursing Certificate. Through this Certificate program, you will study ergonomics and disability management, health and safety management, health and safety legislation and more, preparing you for practice as an Occupational Health Nurse.

Led by instructors who are experienced industry professionals, this program will assist with meeting the application qualifications for the Canadian Nurses Association specialty certification examination (COHN-C) or enhance the knowledge and skills of experienced Occupational Health Nurses.

Next Steps

Durham College’s Occupational Health Nursing program is offered online asynchronously allowing nurses the flexibility to study and advance their skillset at their own pace and schedule. Start your journey today! Learn more about our admission requirements and complete an OHN program application for our Occupational Health Nursing Certificate program.

DC Professional and Part-time Learning offers a diverse selection of over 50 programs and more than 900 courses designed to help you achieve your career goals. Investing in your career development can lead to promising future opportunities. You can register for many PPL courses either with Monthly Intake Online options, which start every month, or at the beginning of regular semesters such as Fall, Winter, and Spring.

What is Monthly Intake Online? Monthly Intake Online courses are conducted on the OntarioLearn LMS platform and have a unique feature—they start every month, even outside of the regular semester dates. If you need flexibility in your course start date, Monthly Intake Online is an excellent choice.

For financial assistance, please visit the OSAP Eligibility webpage. When you're ready to take the next step, explore your part-time learning options at www.durhamcollege.ca/PPL.