Why Join APHN?

The Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN) is the professional organization for all practicing public health nurses (PHNs). APHN members serve in the governmental public health system at the local, state, federal, territorial, or tribal levels, and in community-based organizations, clinics/health systems, and academic institutions.

APHN is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, evidenced by our work to become fully representative of the broad spectrum of public health nurses serving at all levels, including both the current and future public health nursing workforce. APHN’s growth and collaboration with national partners makes it the leading resource for supporting public health nurses in the dynamic, rapidly changing public health system through ongoing public health nursing education, mentoring, leadership development, and professional networking.

APHN’s members are actively engaged in local, state, and national collaborative partnerships that promote and improve the public’s health through excellence in public health nursing practice. Today, PHNs remain the largest professional discipline within the governmental public health workforce, and improving their capacity to assure the foundational public health capabilities within health departments is a key strategy to improving population health and a key priority within APHN.

What’s in it for Me?

  • Educational offerings, including an annual national conference and periodic webinars, with reduced registration fees for members.
  • Leadership development opportunities, including opportunities to serve on association committees and workgroups, in state and regional leader roles, as liaisons to other organizations, and in elected positions on the APHN Board of Directors.
  • Opportunities to connect and network with colleagues in public health nursing from across the country and with public health partners to explore and advance common interests.
  • Opportunities to provide or receive mentorship to advance professional skills and connections to prepare for future career roles and opportunities. 
  • Communication about issues of importance to PHN through the APHN newsletter, website, listserv, and twitter.
  • Advancement of policy papers on issues of significance to public health nursing, including roles of PHNs in disaster and emergency preparedness, along with other emerging roles. 
  • Support for PHNs to prepare for CPH (Certified in Public Health) credentialing, including a discount on CPH examination fees. 
  • Advocacy through strength in numbers – Membership gives PHNs a powerful voice in national issues.