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.
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Resources by Career Field: Health Professions
[New! Check out the interview with Terry Pertile, a Macalester alumn, in the
pharmaceutical industry!]
New! Course on International Health Issues
Health Advocates will offer "Working in Global Health," an eight week course on international health issues, from September 9-November 4. The course is co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health Refugee Health Program as well as the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
The course is designed for health care professionals and students who plan to live or work abroad, particularly in developing countries. It is appropriate for anyone with an interest in cross-cultural or global health issues. Session topics include disease trends around the world; AIDS; environmental and occupational health; cross-cultural health; women's and children's health; and finding jobs and volunteer opportunities in global health.
Registration for the course is limited. Participants may be eligible for academic or continuing education credit. Course sessions will be on Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30 pm, at the Molecular and Cellular Biology Building (room 2-122) on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota.
For more information, please contact, Saranya Kurapati at Health Advocates by telephone (612) 670-6986 or e-mail at saranyakurapati@yahoo.com. For more information, visit the Health Advocates website.
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
Each 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 Midwife (CNM)
A 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, 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.
http://www.acnm.org
http://hsc.unm.edu/interdis/partner/cnmidwife.html
http://www.jobscience.com/
(A search engine for jobs available around the country as a CNM)
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
A 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, or geriatric, neonatal, etc). A CNS divides their 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 of specialty. But they make up for this by being able to provide more expertise than even an expert level staff nurse (who typically has their 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 importantone 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.
http://www.nacns.org/
Nursing Center's library of Journals
(a journal providing a variety of articles and links for CNS's or curious people interested in the field of nursing)
NurseWeek
http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/cns.php
(a Q & A session for people wondering what a CNS does and how to get
involved)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide anesthetics to patients in collaboration withsurgeons, 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
accredited school of nurse anesthesia educational program ranging from 24-36, depending upon university requirements, and pass a national certification examination following graduation.
http://www.vacareers.com/crna.html
http://www.aana.com/crna/careerqna.asp
(Q & A session for those interested or curious about CRNA careers)
Chiropractic Medicine
The 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
to be great as public acceptance of chiropractic medicine increases.
www.chirobase.org
www.chirocolleges.org
Dentistry (D.D.S.)
Dentists clean, repair, and replace teeth as well as performing 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.
www.dental-resources.com
Dentalstudents.net
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) [See Also: Pre-Med Web Resources]
Results from the 2001 Medical School Graduation Questionnaire
The results from the 2001 Medical School Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) are now online. A national questionnaire administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the survey has been administered annually since 1978 to U.S. graduating medical students. Last year, over 14,000 students (90%) participated, addressing student perceptions on a wide variety of topics, ranging from educational experiences, student support programs, potential problems, and debt and loan information. Students may also participate in the ongoing 2002 survey via this website.
Doctor of Nursing (N.D.)
The 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.
http://www2.uchsc.edu/
(The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center is one of the foremost nursing schools in the country, this site provides helpful information about
ND career and education opportunities.)
http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/dnsc.php
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Emergency Medical Technician
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos101.htm
http://www.nremt.org/about/nremt_news.asp
http://www.naemt.org/
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/40/emergency.pdf
http://www.phecc.ie/EMT.html
http://www.emsvillage.com/
Medicinal Chemist
Optometry (O.D.)
Optometrists 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.
www.aaopt.org
www.opted.org
Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Osteopathic 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.
www.aacom.org
www.aoa-net.org
Pharmacist (PharmB)
Paramedic
http://www.paramedic.com/
http://www.paramedic.ca/
http://www.mpaonline.org/
http://www.paramedic-ems.com/
http://www.paramedicine.com/
http://www.emsvillage.com/
http://www.paramedic-network-news.com/
Pharmacognosist
Pharmacologist
Pharmaceutical Scientist
Physician Assistant (P.A.)
Physician 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.
www.apap.org
www.aapa.org
Podiatry (D.P.M.)
Podiatrists 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.
www.apma.org
www.aacpm.org
Public Health (M.P.H.)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
To 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 an 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 in. 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.
http://www.nurse.net/index.shtml
http://www.healthdirection.com/cgi-bin/frameset.pl?content=apply.pl?db=health
(list of over 1000 jobs available for NPs)
http://www.npedu.com/index.cfm
(can answer questions about how to become an NP, how to join the community, and what you have to do when you become an NP)
Registered Nurse (R.N.)
Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest segment of the health care work force. 2,239,816 people living in the United States are educated and licensed to practice as RNs, and 1,853,024 are employed RNs. RNs come from every socio-economic class, every state, and every 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.
http://www.bls.gov/k12/html/sci_004.htm
http://www.nursingworld.org/readroom/fsdemogr.htm
http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/NURSEREG.HTM
http://www.registerednursejobs.com/
(search engine for job information all over the US plus info. On conferences, nurse associations and nurse demographics)
http://www.nursesrx.com/
(this site is directed towards the traveling RN, they provide housing and pay and the opportunity to travel after college.)
Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
Veterinarians 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.
http://www.avma.org/
http://aavmc.org/
http://www.altvetmed.com/
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp
http://www.vin.com/
http://duke.usask.ca/~ladd/vet_libraries.html
http://vetmedicine.miningco.com/
http://vetgate.ac.uk/
http://www.animalscience.com/content/html/index.htm
http://www.vetsonline.com/
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/default.html
http://netvet.wustl.edu/vet.htm
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