The practice focuses on promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from work‐related and environmental hazards.
A nurse named Betty Moulder was hired by multiple coal mining companies in Pennsylvania to take care of their employees and families because of the conditions at the workplace.
[citation needed] OHNs are hired by companies within the United States in order to decrease job related injuries and absentee percentages.
[5] According to the CDC (2017), studies have shown that occupational health nurses provide significant financial benefits to employers and their employees.
Occupational Health Nurses' role as case managers has grown as they now assist with the coordination and management of work-related and non-work related injuries and illness, which includes group health, worker's compensation (and Family Medical Leave Act in the USA) as well as short/long term disability.
[citation needed] OHNs develop programs that promote lifestyle change and individual efforts that lower risk of disease and injury.
OHNs also assist in creating environments that provide a sense of balance among work, family, personal, health and psychosocial concerns.
[citation needed] Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) offer counseling to workers for common challenges such as work-related issues and injuries.
[5] OHNs can also manage employee assistance programs, take charge of referrals, and coordinate follow-up of community resources.