I am indeed in 2 nursing job positions now 🙂 bedside and PHN 🥹
Peggy Tan BSN RN PHN
Balancing two nursing roles—bedside nurse and public health nurse—can be both challenging and deeply rewarding. From personal experience, managing the demands of bedside care, where direct patient interaction and critical thinking at the moment are essential, contrasts with the broader scope and community focus of public health nursing. Each role requires a distinct skill set, yet they complement one another. During my nursing school journey, I faced significant hurdles such as retaking an entire semester of fundamentals lectures and clinicals, which, although tough, ultimately strengthened my clinical skills and resilience. Graduating amid an RN job freeze period added pressure but also prompted me to explore diverse nursing paths like public health nursing. One memorable challenge was facing doubts from a senior nursing school professor who questioned my potential to succeed as a nurse. Overcoming that negativity not only fueled my determination but also highlighted the importance of self-belief and perseverance in nursing. Working in NYC has exposed me to a wide variety of patient needs and public health initiatives, providing invaluable experience in handling acute care and community-based prevention efforts. For nurses contemplating dual roles, it's crucial to develop strong time management skills, maintain self-care routines, and seek support from nursing communities. If you’re considering bridging bedside and public health nursing, remember that both fields share the core goal: improving patient outcomes, whether at the individual or community level. My journey showed me that embracing challenges head-on can lead to a fulfilling and impactful nursing career.














































