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simulation technology offshore education careers in nursing Allowing students to A world of opportunity saving lives by safely perfect their craft outside of the states following dreams December 2012

CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE

6 STEPS

TO A SUCCESSFUL HEALTH CAREER

MODERN DAY HEROES In the wake of a devastating storm that shook many areas of the East Coast, New York’s healthcare providers rose to the occasion, putting their patients before themselves

PHOTO: Blend imaGes/erPrOdUCTiOns lTd

VISIT

www.GuideToHealthcareSchools.com TO DISCOVER A REWARDING CAREER IN HEALTHCARE!

2 · december 2012

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CHALLENGES

1 STEP

The opportunity to provide care and comfort to people in need is one of the great joys of pursuing a career in healthcare.

FIND OUT IF A HEALTH CAREER IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Improving people’s health and lives

T

he job satisfaction that comes from making a difference in someone’s life is hard to beat. Millions of dedicated health care professionals — from nurses to pharmacists to lab technicians — help people every day and make a positive difference in the world.

A booming industry As millions of baby boomers turn 65, more health care professionals will be needed to care for the aging population. Administrative jobs in health care are also on the rise, mainly due to the growth of electronic health records (EHRs) and the need for an improved electronic and data infrastructure. A 2011 study conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA) showed that office-based physicians and their practices generated more than $1.4 trillion in 2009 for the nation’s economy. That economic contribution

will continue as the health care workforce expands through 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact, one medical economist calls the health care field “recession proof.” The BLS describes the health care and social assistance industry as “the most rapidly growing sector in terms of employment,” and eight of the top 20 fastest growing professions fall within the health care industry. To keep pace with job growth in this field, our country must have a qualified workforce ready to fill these important jobs.

Changing needs The AMA has advocated for higher training standards in medical education for nearly 165 years, and that commitment continues today as we promote change that better aligns medical education outcomes with the changing needs of our health care system. We work every day to create a health care environment where physicians and other health care

Peter W. Carmel, M.D. immediate past president, American medical Association

“to keep pace with job growth in this field, our country must have a qualified workforce ready to fill these important jobs.”

professionals can thrive in sustainable practice roles that are attractive to future generations. In fact, through the AMA’s Doctors Back to School program,AMA physicians, residents and medical students take time to speak with students who are interested in pursuing health care careers. At these events, we share our personal stories of how fortunate we are to be part of such a noble profession and encourage them to pursue this worthy and rewarding career.

No better feeling I’ve been practicing medicine for more than four decades, and I can tell you without a doubt that there is no better feeling than improving people’s health and lives. We hope the information within this section serves as an inspiration to enter this highly rewarding field.

PEtER W. CaRMEl, M.d. [email protected]

We reCOmmend

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Suzanne Discenza, Ph.D. director and Associate professor master of Healthcare leadership program, park university

Careers in HealTHCare, 2nd ediTiOn, deCemBer 2012 Publisher: Jordana Held [email protected], laura davis [email protected] Business Developer: Janel Gallucci [email protected] Managing Director: luciana Colapinto [email protected] Editorial Manager: sara Quigley [email protected] Designer: linh le Contributors: Faye Brookman, Bureau of labor statistics, mike Campea, Peter W. Carmel m.d., suzanne discenza, susan driscoll, samir Fatteh, avery Hurt, national institutes of Health, rose Paulose, society of simulation in Healthcare, Cindy riley, Jill smits, dick Woodward Distributed within: Usa Today, december 2012 This section was created by mediaplanet and did not involve Usa Today or its editorial departments. FOllOW Us On FaCeBOOK & TWiTTer! facebook.com/MediaplanetUSA twitter.com/MediaplanetUSA

mediaplanet’s business is to create new customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high-quality editorial content that motivates them to act.

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INSIGHT Advantages of simulation learning ■■simulation offers scheduled, valuable learning experiences that are difficult to obtain in real life. learners address hands-on and thinking skills, including knowledge-in-action, procedures, decision-making, and effective communication. ■■The freedom to make mistakes and to learn from them: Working in a simulated environment allows learners to make mistakes without the need for intervention by experts to stop patient harm. by seeing the outcome of their mistakes, learners gain powerful insight into the consequences of their actions and the need to “get it right”. ■■The learning experience can be customized:  simulation can accommodate a range of learners from novices to experts. beginners can gain confidence and “muscle memory” for tasks that then allow them to focus on the more demanding parts of care. SOURCE: SOCiEtY fOR SiMUlatiON iN HEaltHCaRE [email protected]

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Would you want your child’s birth to be your doctor’s first cesarean delivery, or her fortieth? Would you prefer your dentist go with his gut or respond from experience if you have an airway management crisis while sedated for a root canal?

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEALTH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Building confidence in patients and students through simulation technology Naturally, we all want experienced health care providers because they are more skillful and capable at what they do. The problem is, hospitals are limiting clinical training hours, and no training program can ethically ensure all health care providers have the opportunity to experience many of the common medical crises that might occur with real patients. That’s where simulation technology comes in.

PHOTO: sOCieTy FOr simUlaTiOn in HealTHCare

dOn’T miss!

STEP

Benefits for education “Through simulation,our nursing students get to make many decisions in a safe environment,” says Beth Mancini, RN, PhD, associate

dean at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and president of the Society of Simulation in Healthcare. For example, “In the past, we couldn’t ensure that every nursing student would see a woman in fetal distress, but deep learning occurs in simulation because we can let a situation evolve, then discuss what happened in a non-punitive way.” Mannequins have been used to train medical professionals for more than one hundred years, but the technology has evolved so far that they can be programmed to bleed, deliver babies, and even have mental health disorders. Research shows that health care providers trained through simulation, rather than solely from traditional teaching methods, have better patient outcomes than those without that training. “Nothing is simple and there’s a lot of complexity,” says Mary Anne Rizzolo, EdD, RN, a consultant with the National League for Nursing. “With students, simulation is associated with developing confidence in their own ability

Nursing students at the University of Tennessee work through a case using Lippincott’s DocuCare EHR simulator. PHOTO: CHAD GREENE, CHADCRG IMAGES

before they go in with patients.” 

Large and small benefits Simulation training is useful for both the dramatic and more mundane aspects of health care.On the extreme side are extremely high tech facilities where an entire emergency room team can experience a large-scale disaster unfolding. On the more mundane but critical side of things is simulated patient records. “Students can now begin their day by opening a record rather than opening a textbook, so by

the time they graduate, a hospital system will be second nature,” says Daniel Behan, HIA, director of simulation at Wolters Kluwer Health. Whether it’s managing records or managing a crisis, the more comfortable a health care provider is, the better off patients are. “The more confident and competent a provider is, the safer they’ll be,” says Mancini.

Jill SMitS [email protected]

6 · december 2012

INSPIRATION

ACTS OF HEROISM LEAVE LASTING IMPRESSION FOLLOWING SANDY’S WRATH

Hospital workers evacuate patient Deborah Dadlani from NYU Langone Medical Center during Hurricane Sandy the evening of October 29, 2012 in New York City. More than 200 patients were evacuated from the hospital after backup generators failed due to flooding following a power outage. PHOTO: MICHAEL HEIMAN/STAFF

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INSPIRATION

W

hen Hurricane Sandy ripped through parts of New York October 29, the storm left behind more than flooded homes and piles of debris. Emerging from the path of rubble are tales of amazing strength and compassion, demonstrated by health care and rescue workers going above and beyond the call of duty during critical evacuations.

Margot Condon, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse at NYU Langone Medical Center, is among the heroes spotlighted in the media; in fact, video of Condon’s dramatic efforts has gone viral. Responsible for carrying an eight-hour old premature infant down multiple flights of stairs with little more than a flashlight to guide her, she cradled the newborn while keeping its breathing tube in place, as a doctor operated the ventilator. Halfa-dozen people moved in sync, carrying crucial monitors,ventilators, IV lines and catheters one step at a time. Despite a water-filled basement and failing power sources, hospital staffers managed to safely transfer 300 patients

3 STEP

that chaotic night, many braving howling winds and chilly rain as they loaded nearby ambulances . Catherine Manno, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the hospital, says moving intensive care patients from the ninth and fifteenth floors wasn’t easy.

intensive care unit. Reportedly, several newborns were on respirators, and when backup generators failed, each was moved with extreme caution, as workers manually squeezed air into the babies’ lungs, essentially breathing for them. Pediatrics Vice-Chairman Bret Rudy, M.D. admits the unprecedented evacua-

december 2012 · 7

FIND A CAREER THAT FITS YOUR EDUCATIONAL PLANS

at New York’s Beth Israel Hospital, recalls efforts to receive sick patients under such extraordinary circumstances. “It was eery and quiet and dark. It was scary on the black streets, much like the first few nights after 9/11.” According to Walsh, “Our usual census of about 650-680 patients surged to

our nurses, physicians, and residents have built strong relationships with these patients, which made a big difference in moving everyone successfully. “It was so dark. Everyone became attached to their flashlights. We had no elevators to use, so we were climbing up and down the stairs many times. There was remarkable teamwork from our staff, along with the police and fire departments.” Nurses and paramedics methodically carried 20 babies from the neonatal

tion process was intense. “It was a difficult situation, but I was struck by the calm and trust of the parents. Our nurses, physicians and residents have built strong relationships with these patients, which made a big difference in moving everyone successfully.” Mary Walsh, RN, Chief Nursing Officer

over 750. That’s when we started moving patients to increase beds.Most rewarding was the teamwork of our staff,nurses and physicians.” Says Dr. Manno, “I’ve never seen anything quite like it. This was a once in a lifetime event for us.” CiNdY RilEY [email protected]

8 · DECEMBER 2012

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NEWS MEDIAN SALARY Medical science careers by median annual salary nationwide ■ $20,000 - $40,000 per year Home Health Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Occupational Therapist Aide, Medical Assistant, Mental Health Counselor. ■ $41,000 - $60,000 per year Dietitian and Nutritionist, Registered Nurse,Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist Assistant, Medical Illustrator. ■ $61,000 - $80,000 per year Dental Hygienist, Orthodontist, Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist. ■ Over $80,000 per year Dentist, Pharmacist, Physicians Assistant, Podiatrist, Veterinarian, Anesthesiologist.

SOURCE: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, OFFICE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION [email protected]

DECEMBER 2012 · 9

4 STEP

Affordable and attainable

Offshore education provides a world of opportunity for those struggling to find their place in the health care realm

According to government projections, in the next 10 years there will be a shortage of 100,000 doctors in the United States. With approximately 40,000 applicants vying for roughly 16,000 seats,U.S. medical schools are at capacity levels. For many aspiring physicians, studying offshore may be the answer. “Caribbean medical schools are extremely important to satisfy the demand for additional doctors,” says Warren Ross , President and Owner of University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts. “Having over 30 years experience running a Caribbean medical

school, I’m confident students that have pre-med requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and MCAT scores of 20+ will ultimately be successful in achieving their dream of becoming a physician.” Offshore medical education, specifically in the Caribbean, provides several benefits as an alternative, according to Sean Powers, UMHS Director of Admissions, who points out “Students need to do their research, as the quality of education and life on the different islands varies tremendously from school to school.” Typically, an offshore education

is much less expensive than U.S. medical schools. The cost generally ranges between $36,000 and $85,000 per calendar year. “Offshore schools usually have more relaxed admissions standards,” adds Ryan Rosszzz, UMHS Assistant Director of Admissions. “Also,many operate on a trimester schedule. This allows students to earn their degrees in three years and four months, as opposed to four years in a traditional U.S. program.” Important criteria to consider include the quality of the campus, student morale, attrition rates, clinical delays, residency

Students at the UMHS, St. Kitts White Coat Ceremony celebrate the start of their path towards a practice in medicine with UMHS, St. Kitts President Warren Ross. PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES, ST. KITTS

placement rates and levels of accreditation. Caribbean medical schools aren’t eligible for U.S. accreditation by the Liaison Committee of Medical Education; however, graduates of foreign medical schools are eligible for licensure and practice in the U.S., if the school is accredited and has ECFMG recognition. “For approximately 35 years, medical schools in the Caribbean have built a legacy of success,” says Powers. “With each graduating class and new group of physicians entering and strengthening the workforce, more and more prospective students are inspired to research offshore programs and include them as they consider their options for medical school.” CINDY RILEY [email protected]

QUESTION & ANSWER ■ What led you to pursue your education at an offshore school? ■ The offshore school I attend is very affordable. I couldn’t afford the tuition of U.S.medical schools. It’s given me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. ■ In what ways did your experience differ from your peers onshore? ■ Class assignments, laboratory work and research papers are as rigorous as U.S. medical schools. But I feel that my involvement in community health fairs as a Basic Sciences student gave me

FIND OUT WHAT HEALTH CARE WORKERS DO

an edge in interacting and helping patients and better prepared me for my clinical experience. ■ Where did your collegiate experience lead you professionally? ■ From the experiences that I have encountered throughout my medical education, I have gained more interest in primary health care and community health. ROSE PAULOSE 4TH YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE [email protected]

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10 · december 2012

INSPIRATION dOn’T miss Makes the connection with online education ■■Some three-quarters of a million people click onto online universities. Health care, in particular, is a good fit for an online curriculum because students can continue to work in their field while completing a degree. ■■State of the art technology employed by universities provides simulators that can even exceed the experience of working with a mannequin. And there’s validation students really learn the material. “They can’t hide in a classroom. I like to say they are in a class of one,” says Darren Adamson, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy for Northcentral University which supplements the online experience with practical experience and internships in local markets. ■■ According to the University of Phoenix, there’s a wide range of degrees so almost any student can find what they want to study online. faYE BROOKMaN [email protected]

5 STEP

A journey from patient to nurse On a cold day in January when she was 12 years old, Shelby Robin was told that she had Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Her left leg was amputated below the knee and she underwent treatment with what was then an experimental chemotherapy protocol. Today, Shelby Robin is a healthy young woman with a career as a pediatric oncology nurse at the University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital in Houston, the same place she received her treatment. The transition from childhood cancer patient to nurse was an obvious one for Robin. A true understanding of what her patients are

going through is only one of the things that make this remarkable woman a great nurse. Robin took some time away from her young patients to speak with us about her experiences.

■ Question: oncology is not an easy field—especially pediatric oncology. What motivated you to become an oncology nurse? ■ Answer: When I was sick, I lived about an

hour from MD Anderson where I got my treatment, so I didn’t see my friends very often.The nurses were the ones who were always there

START BUILDING YOUR RESUME NOW

22%

2008

2,618,700 more nursing jobs expected 3, 200, 200

2018 source: bureAu oF lAbor stAtistics

for me. I was 12 years old, bald, and missing a leg. I really stood out. But the nurses would come into my room and not even look at my bald head.They talked to me about things that had nothing to do with my cancer treatment. They were really like friends to me. Then I thought that maybe nursing would be a good thing for me to do. Maybe it was what I was meant to do.

■ Question: now that you are a practicing oncology nurse do you still feel that way? ■ Answer: Yes. I started working on Valen-

tine’s Day in 2011 and so far I love it. I am doing what I’m meant to do. AN UPLIFTING SPIRIT Robin’s patient brings a smile to her face. PHOTO: JOHN EVERETT

aVERY HURt [email protected]

12 · DECEMBER 2012

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NEWS

PANEL OF EXPERTS

The affordable care act’s impact on the physician workforce Ten thousand Americans will turn 65 every day for the next 19 years — doubling the number of individuals who depend on the Medicare program for their healthcare. Plus, the expanded access to healthcare from the implementation of health reform, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), makes it the perfect time to choose a career as a physician. The nation is facing a physician shortage, and the growing number of Medicare beneficiaries,plus the newly insured, means that we need more young people to choose careers in medicine. The U.S. has a growing shortage of more than 45,000 primary care physicians,and 85,000 to 200,000

DECEMBER 2012 · 13

physicians across all specialties over the next 20 years. This shortage comes at a time when the number of Medicare beneficiaries will double and the U.S. population will grow by 25 million people. It is more imperative now than ever that individuals choose a career in medicine. There are two types of physicians in the U.S. – MDs and osteopathic physicians (DOs). Each are trained and fully licensed to prescribe medication and practice in all specialties, including surgery, but work under different philosophies of care.The ACA has several initiatives to encourage growth in the number of physicians.The ACA:

The nation is facing a physician shortage, and the growing number of Medicare beneficiaries,plus the newly insured, means that we need more young people to choose careers in medicine. Mike Campea Director, Division of Media Relations American Osteopathic Association

Question 1: What is the most common misconception about a career in healthcare?

■ Provides grants for hospitals, medical schools and other facilities to expand medical resident training programs, specifically in primary care (family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics). ■ Fosters innovation in healthcare delivery, emphasizing improvements leading to high-quality, affordable healthcare; such as the Patient-Centered Medical Home. ■ Focuses on training the future workforc e to meet the demand of new populations and new delivery systems.

MIKE CAMPEA [email protected]

Susan Driscoll President and CEO, Wolters Kluwer Health, Professional & Education Samir Fatteh, M.D. President of Avalon University, School of Medicine

Dick Woodward Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management & Chief Operating Officer

Question 2: How do you envision healthcare education in the coming years?

Question 3: What advice would you give to someone considering pursuing a career in this field?

There is so much quality information on the Internet and in smart databases that many people believe the role of doctor and nurse might one day be replaced by machine. This is highly unlikely in that so much of being an effective health care worker falls on the human side. Many underestimate its impact on health.

There’s going to be more emphasis on building clinical competency. We’re moving toward becoming more clinically confident and that’s where simulation comes in. It’s giving students more experience in clinical situations where they have to interact with real patient symptoms and complications, which helps make them more competent to practice after they graduate.

First, absolutely do it. Not only is there a very attractive job market, it’s one of the few careers where you can save lives or make a difference in someone’s life in a very profound way—and get paid to do it.

Medicine has always been regarded as a noble profession. The most common misconception is that most people believe it’s unattainable. The physician shortage in the U.S. allows for more medical graduates to enter and practice in medicine. The current trend in the U.S. is to develop and open new medical schools and increase enrollment in the existing medical schools.

A career in medicine is very demanding and requires complete devotion, dedication and hard work. The rewards associated with the selfless dedication of helping someone is truly gratifying and will last a lifetime.

We will never get away from traditional techniques of medicine, but with the advancements in technology we have the opportunity to incorporate these resources and learning methodology to improve the level of education at a much quicker rate. For healthcare education to be relevant, it must continually change and adapt to the modern methods of learning.

That there are enough seats in U.S. medical schools to accommodate every qualified prospective physician. There are only a limited amount of seats available and, ultimately, almost all of them are filled by students with high MCAT scores.

As the world becomes more connected, medical schools and health care institutions will adapt to this changing landscape by taking advantage of technological innovations and a diverse community of motivated students.

If you are dedicated to becoming a physician, do not let rejection letters from U.S. medical schools derail your dream. There are more opportunities than ever to pursue a career in health care abroad.There will always be a place for students who have the passion to improve the lives of those around them.

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NEWS With the growth of healthcare practitioners comes the need for those who lead. For those interested in the business side of healthcare, consider a dynamic career in healthcare administration, one of the fastest growing fields in the industry.

Healthcare administration: A demand for talent With the convergence of the aging of the population, the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the looming retirements of record numbers of industry leaders, the demand for extraordinary talent in health care management is expected to be phenomenal. Not only do health care administrators lead and manage clinical and financial operations in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health care,physician practices, public health, and outpatient clinics,

but many more embrace careers in health insurance, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment,health information technology, and health policy “think tanks” and foundations. Individuals completing a bachelor’s degree in health care management serve in entry-level or middle management positions in all sectors within the field. Those aspiring to senior management positions typically seek a master’s degree in health care administration, health policy, or

“individuals completing a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management serve in entry-level or middle management positions in all sectors within the field.” related fields. According to a recent survey by the U.S.Government Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest-paid (entry-level) health care managers earn approximately $50,000 annually, while the upper 10 percent earn $140,300 to more than $200,000 per year.

6 STEP

DON’T LET MONEY STOP YOU

And did you know that health care administrators may become Board Certified? Those demonstrating outstanding leadership skills, completing intensive post-graduate continuing education, and passing the Board of Governors Examination through the American College of Health care Executives (ACHE) may become Board Certified as an ACHE Fellow (FACHE). SUZaNNE diSCENZa, PH.d. [email protected]