There is perhaps nothing nobler than serving your country. And for many of the men and women of the armed forces that nobility stretches even further when they combine it with a healthcare career. Navy nurses work in some of the most dynamic environments while helping the men and women fighting for our freedom and their families.

A Navy nurse career provides unrivaled experience and skills that are transferable anywhere allowing you to choose from the best nursing jobs available in civilian life. Additionally, the Navy offers excellent scholarship opportunities so spending years paying off your debts from graduate school won’t be a factor in your decision to pursue a healthcare career.

Navy nurses get ample opportunity to focus their career on a variety of nursing specialties including:

• Critical Care
• Education
• Emergency Trauma
• Manpower System Analysis
• Maternal/Infant
• Medical/Surgical
• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Practitioner
  • Family
  • Pediatric
  • Psychiatric
  • Women’s Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Perioperative
  • Psychiatric
  • Public Health
  • Research
  • Training Management

Navy nurses also see the world. There are more than 250 Navy and medical facilities around the world including places like Japan, Germany, Guam and of course the United States. You may be called to work at one of the National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Maryland, Portsmouth, Virginia and San Diego, California or provide medical support to deployed troops aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: The USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.

If choosing the Navy to kick start your career in nursing looks viable there are additional perks worth considering. The Navy covers up to $180,000 of your education and students have no military/training obligation until after graduation. Current nursing students who qualify for the Nurse Candidate Program get an initial grant of $10,000 plus a stipend of $1,000 per month for up to two years.

Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 41, pass a full medical exam and be willing to serve a minimum of three years active duty among other requirements. Click here for more information on how to be a nurse in the Navy.

A drop of blood is enough to make some people queasy and for many like this the idea of a health care career is not even an option. So the caring among us who need to be on the front lines of patient care with warm hearts and empathetic natures are nowhere to be found. The fact is there are a number of health care related careers that have nothing to do with what’s traditionally thought of as health care and Hospital Dream Jobs is your source to find them.

An article on Schools.com outlines four health care related fields that don’t require a smock, cap and surgical gloves. In fact, experts suggest if you are thinking of a medical career that you do a trial run with some established health care organizations, like volunteering with your local ambulance contractors to see how you handle the stress and trauma. If you’re running for the hills after an hour in an ambulance you don’t necessarily have to scratch a career in health care, but you may want to look at these professions:

Personal or Home Health Care Aide

Certified home aids visit clients’ homes and help the elderly, sick and even those injured on the job. Health care aides provide company, do housework and shopping, drive clients to appointments and even help with personal care. A two-week course to earn national certification from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice is all that’s needed to get started. Projected job growth by 2018 is 51 percent.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are considered an active part of a patient’s health care team especially now with new medications being developed every day. Pharmacists work at hospitals, clinics, commercial drug stores and even your local grocery store that has a pharmacy.  The primary job of a pharmacist is to dispense prescribed medication, create compounds as directed by physicians and monitor their patients’ prescriptions for possible negative interactions.  This position requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree which takes a minimum of six years to complete. Projected job growth by 2018 is 22 percent.

Medical and Health Services Manager

This supporting role rarely deals with patients and are never involved with their health concerns. Instead, medical and health services managers, also called health care executives or health care administrators, supervise the delivery of medical care. These positions can cover specializations by department or even a whole organization. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is essential but a master’s in public administration, health sciences, public health, etc. is preferred. Projected job growth by 2018 is 16 percent.

Physical Therapist

This position is much more patient-centered but does not involve the gut-wrenching trauma you’d typically see inside a hospital. Physical therapists help rehabilitate people from injuries, surgery and even strokes which have affected their ability to move and perform everyday tasks. There are more than 200 physical-therapist training programs nationwide which are typically 24 to 30 month programs. Projected job growth by 2018 is 30 percent.

Social Networking is certainly the current and perhaps best way to land your next job or inquire about new careers. To capitalize on this current trend, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) has launched GoDental. a new interactive multimedia web resource to enhance the dental education experience.

Interested in a Dental career? GoDental’s mission is to help students navigate their way through the experience of becoming a dentist by providing information directly from dental professionals. GoDental goes straight to the source in finding the latest and greatest trends and information on the world of dentistry through interactive media including:

• DentNetworks – an interactive forum that allows students to engage with peers, dental students and others about applying to dental school, what it means to be a dental student and what a career in dentistry offers.
• Blogistry – which allows GoDental members to read and comment about current news and issues affecting the dental community. Blogs, written by dental professionals and students, cover everything from tips on applying to dental school and how to finance a dental education to perspectives on current news and viewpoints.
• DenTube – an online channel with videos on current events, what dental school is like and tips for successfully completing an application to dental school.

There is even a section for future students, whether in high school or college, that provides information and resources on career options, preparing for dental school and even dental school curriculum.

“ADEA is excited to offer students, prospective students, residents and fellows the opportunity to come together under an inventive combination of multimedia, forums and community development,” said ADEA President Leo E. Rouse, D.D.S.

GoDental membership is free and members can even follow GoDental on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Go to www.godental.org for more information and to sign up.

The American Dental Education Association is the voice of dental education. Its members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools and many allied and postdoctoral dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students. The mission of ADEA is to lead individuals and institutions of the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the health of the public.

Hospital Dream Jobs provides not only resources to your next job in health care but also news and insight on today’s latest trends and the information you need to get your career started.

None of us remember the days when blood-letting was a common prescription for a host of problems, but we sure have read about it. We may laugh at such folly but at one point in time that was considered modern medicine. As you know medicine changes rapidly and for those in the medical field, embracing those changes and moving forward is a must.

A new approach to patient care is on the horizon, and for those just starting out they may get the first taste of it in med school, but those already in the trenches may be required to reconsider what we’ve been doing for 10, 20, even 30 years. Interprofessional Healthcare is a new approach which brings healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines together. It is a significant change to the current method but is also one that could define the 21^st Century.

Whether we want to admit it or not, many of us in the healthcare field have established professional boundaries we do not want crossed. Our patient is our patient. But the reality is, your patient may need the expertise of someone who has more knowledge than you. And with Interprofessional Healthcare, those fences we have put up will need to come down for the good of the patient.

For those starting out, learning the Interprofessional Healthcare approach will be much easier because universities are beginning to work it into their curriculum. Once these young professionals start seeing patients, working hand-in-hand and side-by-side with other healthcare providers will be as easy and seamless as allowing a nurse to check pulses and blood pressure.

In a report issued in late 2010 called the Lancet Commission, 20 professional and academic leaders detailed 10 reforms that are necessary in order to overcome the current fragmentation and many other problems the healthcare world is facing. One of those reforms was promoting interprofessional education designed to enhance collaborative and non-hierarchical relationships in effective teams. Read this report here. You can also read the Framework for action on interprofessional education and collaborative practice on the World Health Organization’s website.

The bottom line is that it’s better for the patient when a team of healthcare professionals have mutual respect for one another, and effectively communicate, collaborate and coordinate patient care. It is widely known that a variety of health conditions come from a variety of causes, and a variety of body systems and structures can be affected. And healthcare professionals must work together to provide the best possible care for the patient.

As university programs work to incorporate this new approach, established professionals can keep their eyes open for seminars and workshops. And hospital and clinic administrators may consider holding training sessions that will encourage their staff members to work together in this way. Don’t get me wrong, there are many healthcare providers who do collaborate with their peers when treating patients, but a team approach is not necessarily the norm across the board.

Becoming versed in this new approach to healthcare will not only be a boon to your patients, but will be a great addition to your professional credentials!

Earlier this month, researchers from Mt. Sinai Medical Center presented their findings to the American Public Health Association from 2 studies of various kids who had attended their summer medical program. The first study, based on surveys completed by the students after the program, showed a 31 percent increase in students who were “very interested” in science, a 23 percent increase in students who were “very interested” in a career in the medical field, and a 13-percent increase in students who thought it was important to attend college.

The second study showed a great improvement in the students’ awareness and understanding of diseases prevalent in their community including asthma, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. This is great news at a time when the medical community is striving to improve access to healthcare in underserved areas and the quality of that care. One of the ways to achieve this goal is to recruit and train healthcare professionals from within the ranks of these communities.

There are a number of programs around the country such as the one in New York targeted at different age groups and with differing degrees of intensity, but all aimed at encouraging today’s youth to be tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. Here are brief highlights from 3 medical youth programs in different corners of the country:

MedStart Summer Enrichment Program at Mt. Sinai Medical Center

A free one-week summer program for 6^th-8^th grade students interested in science and medicine. Program includes free MetroCards, lunch, t-shirts, BLS certification and trophies. Activities include hands-on, interactive projects that teach practical skills such as how to take a pulse and measure blood pressure. Students also learn about diseases that are common in their community.

Med-Start Summer Academic Enrichment Program at University of Arizona

A 5-week program open to 11^th grade students in Arizona. Most expenses are covered. Program explores health careers, provides academic enrichment, and gives participants opportunities to meet health professionals and participate in hands-on health and science activities. Students of Hispanic, American Indian, or African American backgrounds, who live in rural or reservation areas, are first-generation college, and/or economically or educationally disadvantaged are especially encouraged to apply.

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) Summer Residential Program (SRP)

A 5-week program on the Stanford University campus open to low-income and ethnically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors living in northern and central California. Program includes lectures, seminars and workshops as well as volunteer internships at one of two area hospitals.

The American Public Health Association, founded in 1972, exists to both inform and protect the public. They are the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals. As you likely know, they play an important role in communication, disease prevention and crisis control, when there are serious health issues that threaten our nation.

With a goal of true education and prevention, The APHA also publishes books, papers and articles on disease control and preventative measures, including the peer-reviewed “American Journal of Public Health” and the award-winning newspaper, “The Nation’s Health”. 

Some of the projects that APHA accomplishes include protecting funding for public health services, providing vaccines for school-aged children, regulating prescription drugs for safety and effectiveness, ensuring access to clean water and air, measuring of air quality, providing educational campaigns to reduce childhood obesity and developing school nutritional programs.

APHA understands that:

• A healthy public gets sick less frequently and spends less money on health care, which equals better economic productivity and improved quality of life.
• Healthy children become healthy adults. Healthy children also attend school more often and are better performers.
• Public health educates people about lifestyle choices and also reduced the impact of disasters with preparation.
• APHA is a central point of communication and education when disasters do occur.

 APHA hires a variety of people to fulfill public health duties. These include:

• Emergency Responders
• Health Educators
• Scientists and Researchers
• Public Heath Physicians
• Public Health Nurses
• Occupational Health & Safety Professionals
• Social Workers
• Nutritionists
• Epidemiologists
• Public Policymakers
• Community Planners
• Restaurant Inspectors

 For more information, visit APHA. Career Openings are here. You can also follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.

As you’re all aware by now, job hunting today is a much more complex endeavor than ever before. Let’s review what we’ve learned about job hunting over the past several months. Here are some of the things you need to be doing to be competitive in today’s job marketplace:

1. Join both real world and virtual groups for networking and support.

2. Enlist the help of a mentor or career counselor.

3. Stay on top of current and emerging trends by reading industry-specific magazines and blogs regularly.

4. Attend classes and workshops whenever possible.

5. Keep your resume up-to-date.

6. Be intentional about improving your personal character.

And finally, Google yourself to see what comes up! That’s right. I “googled” myself several years ago and was only listed 3 times in very obscure articles and websites. Totally harmless. Now my name is all over the place and some of the information is outdated and incorrect. Fortunately, there is nothing embarrassing or incriminating. More and more companies are requiring their HR people to research job candidates online, and though it may seem a violation of our privacy and our rights, the things they’re finding could affect your ability to get or keep a job.

Remember:

• If you are on social sites like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, make sure your profile pictures and biographical information are correct and current. If you have questionable photos, posts or friends, remove them. If your pages contain things you wouldn’t want your kids or your mom to see, you definitely don’t want it there for employers to see!
• Ask current or former co-workers and supervisors to provide recommendations on LinkedIn.
• If you find your online reputation to be seriously troubling you may want to enroll the help of a reputation management company like ReputationDefender.

Still think all of this stuff is just a passing fad that will go away with time and have no real impact on the way we do business/ Consider this: The Library of Congress will be acquiring and permanently storing the entire archive of public Twitter posts since 2006. It’s not going away!

Even in these mean and lean times, when we may be forced to take on whatever work comes our way, most of us still want our work to be about more than just a paycheck. Catching up with an old classmate this week, I was inspired by the way she reinvented herself and found work that is both meaningful and fulfilling. Today, Wendy is the Sr. Executive Admin to the Research Department for a medical device company in Sunnyvale which develops medical technology and services for those who treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients. She supports the Vice President of Research and his staff, setting up lyceums of visiting cardiologists. Wendy enjoys the excitement of learning about cutting-edge medical technology and knowing that she is doing her part to help others who need these devices to live healthy, productive lives.

Twenty years ago, Wendy had no idea this is where she would end up. Here’s what I call Wendy’s formula for change:

1. Be resourceful-While raising her son, Wendy felt that an administrative job would be an improvement over waiting tables. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the time or money to go to school to learn the programs she would need to use in an office setting. She didn’t even have a computer. So she borrowed friends’ computers and taught herself the programs in her spare time. Then she started applying for temp jobs where she continued to learn on the job. Don’t let perceived obstacles stand in your way.

2. Be a life-long learner-Although getting into the company didn’t require previous medical experience, Wendy wouldn’t be where she is today without some continuing education (she took classes in Bradycardia and Tachycardia) and reading medical journals on a regular basis. Take advantage of your employer’s education reimbursement programs and read industry periodicals whenever you can.

3. Be aware of emerging trends-As many jobs are being eliminated, waves of new jobs will emerge, including jobs like Wendy’s, because baby boomers are aging and technology is advancing. “Someone has to support the inventors and the cardiologists and the MDs who create these devices,” she says. Look for jobs in emerging markets rather than in sectors that will be obsolete within a few years.

4. Be willing to test the waters-After temping in various industries, Wendy was hired as a temporary buyer/planner for the medical device company. She found herself “surrounded by dedicated, happy coworkers and soon started to feel a similar sense of success and dedication.” Through the years she temped for them in a variety of departments and was finally promoted to her current post, which she feels is more exciting than admin work in other fields. The path to your dream job may not be clear-cut, but as you try different things you learn and grow and will discover what makes you happy.

This week I spent some time with family practitioner Dr. Anson Yew. He shared some of his wisdom and experience from his 18 years in medicine and also told me about the inspiring book he self-published earlier this year, Stories From the Rubble, a compilation of personal stories from Haitians who survived the January earthquake.

Dr. Yew attended the USC School of Medicine and chose to practice family medicine because he wanted to experience the diversity of everything from “conception to death” and make a positive impact in people’s lives. Seeing people’s lives change physically, emotionally and even spiritually is what he loves about his job. He says the most challenging part of his job has been finding a balance between work and family so he has chosen to only work part time. Even so, the workload is demanding and he devotes as much time as possible to family, friends, church and volunteer work to help cope with the stress.

The stress comes not only from being so closely involved in the lives of his patients but also from the changes that have occurred in healthcare since he first began practicing, such as having to do more in an office visit in less time. Other changes that have taken place over the past two decades? “The government is reimbursing less and less, procedural specialties reimbursements continue to increase as primary care gets paid less, and more med students are going into fields like spa medicine, plastics, botox, and cosmetics – or are leaving medicine completely.”

After the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Yew served on a medical disaster relief team. When he wasn’t treating patients he began collecting stories of some of the people he met, including translators, security personnel, housing staff and some of the patients themselves. He says that in spite of their great suffering, the people he met had dignity and great faith. He calls his book the “stories of my heroes.” The proceeds of Stories From the Rubble go to Haiti and other disaster relief efforts.

Dr. Yew has this advice for job seekers: “Volunteer your services. This is a good way to connect and network with other health professionals as well as serve a greater need. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try different opportunities. You may find you enjoy something you never thought you’d like.”

His final words of wisdom? “Be grounded. Remember what is most important in your life. Remember each day is a blessing and you have an opportunity to be a blessing to others.”

The job-related headlines have provided an ongoing emotional roller coaster the past few years swinging wildly from pessimistic news of doom and gloom to optimistic reports of economic recovery. This week I read about something positive and real that encouraged me – a system in healthcare technology that is creating new jobs and will continue to do so in the coming years. These are Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), also referred to as Health Information Technology (HIT) (and a bevy of other monikers with accompanying acronyms).

HIEs have been around, on a small scale, for at least a decade, allowing the exchange of medical records between formerly unconnected electronic systems. The systems will decrease administrative costs for providers while improving the quality of healthcare for patients.

While there are some networks in various States, there are currently no state or federal regulations governing the exchange of medical records. However, there are several organizations working towards a nationwide, regulated network.

This will create more jobs as the system matures. On the bureaucratic level, there will be people in state and federal government responsible for creating and monitoring these networks. There will be the techies creating the software (there’s already several companies out there, but as we know with technology, there’s always room for competition and room for improvement). There will be the sales force and the tech support staff installing, training and helping providers maintain the systems. And finally, there will be the end users themselves, possibly an entire job in itself once these systems become fully integrated into the healthcare system.

How can you jump on this burgeoning bandwagon? Should you hop on board? Whether you’re looking for work or already employed the answer is YES. This is a system that you should definitely keep your eye on as it continues to grow and change, whether you’re in management, tech support, patient services or even employed as a nurse or physician.

Here are a few of the ways that you could use your healthcare experience to assist the transition to HIE’s:

1. Serve on a regulatory committee providing your healthcare expertise.
2. Become a point person who provides test runs of one of the new systems that eventually gets installed in your hospital.
3. Combine your healthcare experience with your love of technology to write software or consult for an HIE.
4. Take classes in software development if this field interests you.

Follow the HIE news at the Nationwide Health Information Network Watch.