 |
 |
 |
 |
If you would like personalized assistance, please contact the CDC for an individual appointment, or stop by during drop-in hours Monday through Friday between 2 P.M. and 4 P.M.
|
|
Resources by Career Field: Health Professions Advanced Practice NurseEach Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) functions autonomously within his or her own defined scope of practice, as well as in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers in a variety of settings - the medical center, outpatient clinic, nursing home, domiciliary or patient's home. General responsibilities performed by APNs at all levels of health care include bio-psychosocial patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and outcome evaluation, all of which promote wellness and prevent disease, injury and disability. APNs in primary care provider roles are empowered to order, conduct and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies and procedures. In mental health, APNs also function as therapists in individual, family and group settings. APNs identify and collaborate in the resolution of system issues that influence the provision of patient care. They also initiate and participate in interdisciplinary development of clinical pathways, as well as conduct nursing-focused research for the improvement of patient care. Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving providing health care to individuals, families or groups as an advanced or expert clinician. This includes the assessment of individual health, analyzing data to determine medical or nursing care needed, planning a strategy to meet identified needs, and evaluating responses to interventions. Certified Nurse MidwifeA Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is an individual educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. CNMs can provide any or all of the following services: care for women and their infants, prenatal care, labor and delivery management, postpartum care, normal newborn care, family planning, and gynecology. Training includes: graduate level nursing programs, instruction in clinical midwifery, advanced education in obstetrics, gynecology and newborn care, and certification by American College of Nurse-Midwives. A CNM usually has extensive prior experience in maternity and public health nursing work settings. The typical work settings for a CNM are hospitals, birthing centers, health maintenance organizations, public health departments, private practices, clinics and homes. Nurse-midwives have a superb record of safety and client satisfaction. Research shows that a woman experiencing a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery is as safe cared for by a nurse-midwife as she would in the hands of a physician. A recent report by the Institute of Medicine points out that nurse-midwives are particularly effective in managing the care of pregnant women, and that such care results in fewer premature and underweight babies. The Public Citizen Health Research Group found that the cesarean section rate for hospitals with nurse-midwifery practices was significantly lower than the average rate for all hospitals. Certified Registered Nurse AnesthetistNurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide anesthetics to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists and other qualified health care professionals. As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs practice with a high degree of autonomy and professional respect. They carry a heavy load of responsibility and are compensated accordingly; the median annual income for a CRNA in 1999 was approximately $100,000 based on the AANA Membership Survey. CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered: traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; critical access hospitals; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons; and U.S. Military, Public Health Services and Veterans Administration healthcare facilities. A total of 44% of the nation's 28,000 CRNAs are men, versus approximately 5 percent in the nursing profession as a whole. The education and experience required to become a CRNA include: a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or other appropriate baccalaureate degree, a current license as a registered nurse, at least one year's experience in an acute care nursing setting, graduation from an Chiropractic MedicineThe foundational idea behind chiropractic medicine is that many physical problems are due to the misalignment of the body, mainly the spine. Treatments to cure these physical problems include combinations of manual adjustment, diet, exercise, and various other therapies. Chiropractors must be certified with the state and this requires two years of college followed by four years at a chiropractic college. Employment growth is anticipated Clinical Nurse SpecialistA Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a masters prepared, advanced practice nurse whose care focuses on a specific patient population (e.g medical, surgical, diabetic, cardiovascular, operating room, emergency room, critical care, geriatric, neonatal, etc). A CNS divides time into five general areas - clinical practice, teaching, research, consulting, and management. Their assessment skills tend to be more focused than a Nurse Practitioners, since they focus on a particular area or specialty. They make up for this by being able to provide more expertise than even an expert-level staff nurse (who typically has responsibilities divided into many different sub-areas.) CNSs are uniquely prepared to assume the role of case manager - one who organizes and coordinates services and resources, and who works to control costs. This makes CNSs central players in the growth of managed care, and they serve to manage the complexities and interdependencies of different parts of health care practice. The educational role is an important one too, and it covers patient education, nursing staff education, non-nursing members of the team, community education, and teaching of undergraduate and graduate level nursing students. CNSs may practice independently, or they may work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and for various health care agencies.
DentistryDentists clean, repair, and replace teeth as well as perform surgery on the gums and jaws. Education includes a bachelor's degree, or even a master's, plus a dental school degree program which takes two to three years. Though employment growth is currently slow, job prospects remain positive because of the increasing number of aging Americans. Doctor of MedicineSee Resources by Career Field: Pre-Med. Doctor of NursingThe Doctor of Nursing (N.D.) is a professional graduate program that provides non-nursing college graduates entry into nursing practice. The curriculum is four years of full-time study, including summers. The first two years of the program combines pre-RN licensure nursing arts and science and graduate coursework in the humanities and theory. The third year focuses on advanced practice nursing information in care and case management, advanced community and health assessment, program evaluation, and outcome research. The fourth year is a full-time professional residency in an urban or rural clinical site. During the residency, the student incorporates nursing clinical experience and research expertise. This experience culminates in a final professional research project. Upon graduation, the Nursing Doctorate is an advanced practice nurse specialist in care/case management and clinical outcomes research. The Doctor of Nursing Program (N.D.) is a clinical doctorate designed for baccalaureate prepared college graduates from a variety of disciplines ranging from the social and natural sciences to the humanities and arts and for B.S.N. and M.S.N. prepared nurses who desire advanced clinical knowledge. Professional nursing requires a sound knowledge base, a high level of competence, a diversity of skills, and a versatility in nursing practice that demand a liberal education and a strong scientific foundation. The Doctor of Nursing (N.D.) is characterized by educational depth and emphasis on advanced practice, nursing inquiry and management, hallmarks of other health professions. Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic
Nurse PractitionerTo become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) generally requires a Master's Degree in Nursing. The following are generally recognized (or certified) nurse practitioner specialties: Family NPs, Pediatric NPs, Adult NPs, Geriatric NPs, Women's Health Care NPs, Neonatal NPs, Acute Care NPs, Occupational Health NPs, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Normally, someone who wants to be a NP will first attend an undergraduate school of nursing, where they will be awarded a Baccalaureate degree in nursing, and also obtain licensure as a registered nurse. They then generally work for a period of two or more years prior to their entry into an NP program. The NP program itself will vary in length from 1-2 academic years, depending on the nature of the program and the school which is chosen. There are some programs available for individuals who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but who are not registered nurses. These programs are longer in length than the standard Master's program, result in eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse, and also for eligibility in sitting for the certification boards as an NP. Generally these programs are very selective in which candidates they will take for entry into their programs. The conditions on the job vary based on the type of specialty that the NP practices. The majority of NP positions are ambulatory care positions, where the NP works in an outpatient setting seeing their patients. The settings, however, can be quite varied, and may include doing house calls in rural areas to a standard pediatric or family practice office, such as most of us are familiar with. It is a position which requires a great deal of autonomy, decision-making ability, logical reasoning, and the ability to reach a conclusion on what to do under what may be difficult circumstances. OptometryOptometrists diagnose eye problems and prescribe lenses and treatments. They also supply glasses and fit and adjust them. A four-year doctor of optometry degree from a college of optometry is required. Typically, students also hold a bachelor's degree and have had pre-optometric studies in college. Osteopathic MedicineOsteopathic medicine provides all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the body's own ability to heal itself and help each individual achieve a high level of wellness through health education and injury and disease prevention. Physician AssistantPhysician assistants aid physicians and work under their supervision taking medical histories, performing medical exams, ordering lab tests, making tentative diagnoses, and prescribing treatments. Training includes graduation from a two-year program at a college, university, medical school, or community college. Admission requirements differ from institution to institution and vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree. American Academy of Physician Assistants PodiatryPodiatrists diagnose and treat problems with the feet. Treatments include surgery, drugs, and corrective devices. Podiatrists must be graduates of four-year programs of podiatric medicine, usually entered after at least three years of undergraduate study. One year of residency is also required. Registered NurseRegistered nurses (RNs) are the largest segment of the health care work force. RNs come from every socio-economic class, state, and neighborhood in America. This diversity grants them a special understanding of the people for whom they care. To become an RN, candidates first must graduate from a state-approved school of nursing. Veterinary MedicineVeterinarians specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of animal injuries and diseases. All veterinary schools require at least two years of college and most students hold a bachelor's degree. Veterinary schools are four-year degree programs.
The Macalester College Career Development Center is not responsible for material on non-CDC websites. This page was last updated by Laura Eash in July of 2009. |
|
|
|