Occupational health nursing in the United Kingdom: exploring the world through international occupational health programs.

The workplace and its potential to influence the health of the public is acknowledged by the United Kingdom government. The regulatory body (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC]) recognizes the need for Occupational Health Nurses to have a registrable qualification and also recognizes the public health role of the occupational health nurse. The need to keep abreast of fast-changing technologies, together with societal concerns about the acceptable level of risk in work activity, are key drivers in occupational health nurse research.