Occupational Health Nurses Week

OHN Week is a national observance to recognize and celebrate, YOU as members of the occupational and environmental health nursing profession.  It is designated because, while most people understand the function of a nurse in a clinical setting, not everyone is aware that there are approximately 14,000 nurses who work in promoting and protecting the health of workers in the US and many of these nurses also work globally.  The message is that through case management, coaching and health counseling, health promotion and wellness activities, legal and regulatory compliance, and workplace hazard detection and mitigation, occupational and environmental health nurses improve the health of employees and contribute to a healthy bottom line for businesses.

Annually, Occupational Health Nurses Week is selected by AAOHN for dates in April.  The week also commemorates the inception of the first and largest professional association for occupational and environmental health nurses.  Begun in 1942, with 300 nurses from 16 states, the organization today has 120 chapters and over 5,000 member dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for occupational and environmental health nurses.

AAOHN communicates with members prior to the OHN Week to provide members with a poster for display in their work settings and a sample press release, all or portions of which can be used for your business communications or sent to local media.  AAOHN does press releases in media outlets in various cities.

Occupational Health Nursing Week is April 19-26, 2013.