Some of the most important members of the healthcare team never actually interact with a patient. Hospitals and doctors’ offices rely on medical billers, health information technologists, and medical office specialists to maintain communication with insurance companies and medical equipment providers. This ensures smooth interactions between doctors and patients.

If you are seeking a career with a more hands-on approach, there are a number of growing career choices available. With dramatic increases to asthma rates and other respiratory illnesses, trained respiratory therapists will be increasingly important. A rise in the number of prescriptions being filled means pharmacy technicians will be vital to helping ease the workload of pharmacists. Medical assistants will be important too, helping doctors prepare patients or performing basic procedures. Medical assistants make each visit to the doctor’s office as swift as possible.

And of course, if you want to be involved directly with providing patient care then the field of nursing is waiting for you! Check out my previous blogs to learn how I am surviving nursing school. No matter what field you choose, the healthcare industry has the opportunity for you to succeed.

Best of Luck,

Theresa

Entering the maternity department at the start of the semester will be an exciting way to begin my school year. I have already purchased all of my books and clinical supplies for the year, so I am feeling prepared for what is in store. Our teacher has emailed us and recommended that we get a head start on the first three chapters of our book, to ensure that the rapid progression the first few weeks feels more manageable.

One of the most important parts of beginning a new year as a nursing student is to stay on top of my reading. Falling behind at the beginning will only make for a more stressful semester overall. Another helpful hint I can offer is to purchase an NCLEX review book to work in as you progress through each field. Most review books are divided into the critical sections of nursing school, so you will help yourself immensely if you follow along in a review book as you are learning about that particular field. I will keep you posted as I progress through this year!

Best of Luck,

Theresa

As I continue into my junior year of nursing, I am still unsure about exactly which career path I will choose. I originally thought I would enter into pediatrics, but after exploring more fields, I could also see myself working in the fast paced environment of the emergency room. Another positive aspect of nursing is that you never have to settle for one field! If you start in the emergency room and then decide that you want to work in maternity, you can transfer departments with a brief amount of training. If you see yourself working in direct patient care in one of these fields then I urge you to consider the field of nursing!

Best of Luck,

Theresa

Despite the heavy workload, I am very excited for the opportunities that nursing school will bring forth this year. This semester we will primarily focus on the anatomy and physiology behind pregnancy and the stages that occur for both the mother and the developing fetus.

In the classroom we will learn about the stages of pregnancy and the normal occurrences for our patients during specific weeks. Unfortunately, we must also learn all of the abnormalities that can occur during pregnancy. As a nurse it will be vital to understand all of these concepts to provide the best care for our patients. In addition, we will learn assessment techniques for a patient who suspects pregnancy, along with how to care for a newborn infant.

In our direct care experience we will assess for the stages of labor and prepare patients for the delivery room. We even have the chance to experience the birth of a newborn! I am finally feeling more and more like a real nurse.  I am so excited for this semester to arrive, so that I can share all of my valuable clinical experiences with you!

I will be sure to keep you posted!

Theresa

Each year my school releases a list of scholarships and internships that students can apply for, each related to specific fields of study. Although it may seem time consuming to fill out applications and write essays for 30 scholarships, the end result is worth it. I was able to acquire two scholarships last year using this method and in the end it saved me from roughly $3,000 in extra loans! Be sure to check out scholarship opportunities that may be available to you through your school’s financial aid office.

In addition to scholarships, there are other alternative methods of paying for school. Many jobs in healthcare offer partial tuition reimbursement for workers who are currently attending school. If you can find a job that offers this service you can see a dramatic drop in the amount of loans accruing each semester. Although it may seem like a timely process now, the amount of money you will save in the long run is definitely worth it!

Best of luck in school,

Theresa

The healthcare field is expecting an increase in the need for respiratory therapists to accommodate rising numbers of respiratory illness. One of the most promising aspects of a career as a Respiratory Therapist is that after two years and an associate’s degree, one can expect a salary of $52,000 annually*. Respiratory Therapists are often found in a hospital setting, but can also work in other healthcare facilities. If you are dissatisfied with your current job and you can see yourself helping to ease the breathing of patients while increasing their comfort, consider looking into a new career as a Respiratory Therapist.

-Theresa

*http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos321.htm

To help advance my experience in caring for and understanding children, I am working as a camp teacher this summer. The availability of paid hospital jobs for CNA’s in my area is slim, so I decided to work at a camp, surrounded by children. I’m also volunteering at a local hospital to continue advancing my knowledge in the field. Remember, every opportunity you take to advance your skills will not only expand your resume, but could also introduce you to somebody who can eventually help further your career.

Only one month into my summer camp job, I have been introduced to a Physician who hires nurses who intend to pursue a degree as a Nurse Practitioner. If you agree to work at his facility for a set number of years after completing your education, then he will pay the tuition for your Nurse Practitioner program. Although I have not committed to anything yet, I was amazed to see how even opportunities not directly tied to my career path can help lead to a rewarding future!

I wish you the best of luck as you pursue a nursing degree!

-Theresa

The job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians is expected to increase 25% from 2008-2018*. As the population ages, there is expected to be an increase in patients seeking medical care. Pharmacies will rely on pharmacy technicians in order to remain organized and provide swift customer service.

If you have thought about a career as a pharmacy technician, there are many qualification programs available. These programs will help to familiarize you with medical terminology and calculations, as well as medical ethics and laws. If you want to take part in an important growing medical field then I urge you to look into schooling as a pharmacy technician!

-Theresa

*http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm

With the baby boomer generation expected to make more visits to doctors’ offices, the job outlook for medical assistants is expected to increase 34 percent from 2008 to 2018*. In addition to treating the ailments that come with normal aging for this huge group, the healthcare industry is also facing major changes as cases of obesity and diabetes rise. Trained medical assistants have the opportunity to make around $30,000 annually, which is rewarding after only 1- 2 years of schooling!

If you see yourself in a career working with people, but also implementing organizational skills in the medical field, then I recommend that you look into a career as a medical assistant.

-Theresa

*http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm#training

For instance, my friend recently took a job in Texas at a Magnet status hospital on the medical surgical unit. Not only does she get the opportunity to travel to a new part of the country, she will also gain valuable experience that will make her an asset to any hospital. There are so many nursing schools in the Boston area that newly graduated nurses don’t have a lot of options for employment. By moving away temporarily and gaining such high level experience, a return to this area from a Magnet hospital will prove to be a major benefit for my friend and her career.

No matter where you live, once the economy stabilizes, the field of nursing expects to see a significant portion of the baby boomers retire. All of those nurses will need to be replaced in the workforce. The nursing industry is expecting an increase of 22% from 2008 to 2018*. On top of a significant increase in nurses needed, the average nurse can expect a median income of $62,450*!

As we pass another graduation season, I wish you all good luck with your careers!

-Theresa

*http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm