| Aspect | Infection Prevention | Infection Control Nurse |
|---|
| Certifications | CPH, CIC, or similar | CPH, CIC, or similar |
| Work Environment | Public health, healthcare planning, policy development | Hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities |
| Primary Focus | Preventing infections before they occur | Managing and investigating existing infections |
Infection Prevention professionals focus on strategies to prevent infections through education, policy, and community programs, while Infection Control Nurses work directly within healthcare settings to monitor, investigate, and control ongoing infections. Both roles require similar certifications and often collaborate, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and environment.