Occupational Health Nurses

The associations most closely related to occupational health nursing include the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), which represents schools of nursing nationwide. Their main goals include the establishment of quality standards for nursing education and promotion of public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice. In addition to sharing the above goals of the AACN, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses promotes the health and safety of work and workplace communities and offers numerous opportunities in professional and leadership development, networking, and career advancement. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses is the only organization that certifies occupational health nurses in the United States. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is a federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent worker injury and illness. NIOSH is a part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.