Working Life: Public health nursing cares for people at every stage of life

Clodagh Brackett, student public health nurse, HSE

Clodagh Brackett, student public health nurse, HSE.

6.30am

I’m an early riser, and most days, I try to squeeze in exercise before I start my day. During summertime, it could be a walk around my local area, Friars Walk, or a gym session in winter.

Back home, I prepare lunch before commuting to work. I’m a student public health nurse (PHN) on clinical placement in my assigned primary care centre in Blackrock, in the South Lee area of Cork city.

9am

At the office, I’m greeted by my PHN preceptor, and we go through the day’s caseload and prepare for the busy day ahead. 

A preceptor provides supervision during clinical practice and helps guide you while you’re training. You work closely with them while doing the course.

11am

Public health nursing cares for people at every stage of life, so days are very varied. 

On a typical day, I go on house calls with my preceptor. Our services range from wound dressings to continence assessments to general assessments following a referral to the PHN service. 

Or it could be a home visit to a new mother and baby following discharge from the maternity hospital.

12 noon

We return to the primary care centre and complete relevant documentation, which may include follow-up care and referrals to various other services and therapies.

1pm

We grab a bite to eat and chat with other staff members in the tearoom.

1.30pm

Back in the office, we answer phone messages or post. Once that’s done, we move down the corridor to deliver child health clinics.

2pm

PHNs conduct child developmental checks at various stages before children start school. Some days we have three-month-olds; other days, nine-to- 11 months, two-year olds or four-year-olds. 

In line with the HSE National Healthy Childhood programme, PHNs assess children to ensure they are meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones and provide guidance and information for parents.

5pm

After the clinic wraps up and tasks are finished, I travel home.

6pm

I catch up with my family, see how their day went, and make dinner. Then I hit the books — trying to balance study, placement and family time can be tricky, but it’s well worth the reward.

• Applications for 2025/2026 Public Health Nurse Sponsorship Programme are now open. For details, see HSE.ie, or for the latest jobs and opportunities, see