Guide to Continuing Healthcare Education
The healthcare industry as a whole is currently growing rapidly due to the aging baby boomer population in the US, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this trend to continue through 2016. Choosing to further your education in whatever health related field you may be in would allow you to advance in your career and make the most out of the current growth trend in the healthcare industry. Practically speaking continuing your healthcare education usually means that you will receive higher wages and be a more competitive candidate for promotions and other advancement opportunities.
There are ways for you to continue your education no matter what sector of the healthcare field you work in and almost all will serve to benefit you extensively. The following are just a few ways and directions to consider for continuing healthcare education and are dependent on your field of study.
Obtain a BSN or an MSN in NursingA BSN is a bachelor's degree specifically in nursing and is highly sought after by nursing professionals. BSN holders will have an advantage over their colleagues who only have associate's degrees (RN) since they have substantial amounts of additional training. Because of this they're often given more responsibility and complex tasks, paid more, and are the first considered for supervisory roles such as that of a Charge Nurse.
Students enter BSN programs as LPNs, LVNs, RNs, or straight from high school. Some schools give those students already with licensure, registration and experience special consideration and put them on sort of a fast track to earning their BSN. These types of programs are sometimes called LPN-to-BSN programs or RN-to-BSN programs. Students who have previous training and who may be working in a nursing related field, such as a medical technician, may also be given special consideration. Relevant credits earned from previous training may transfer over into the BSN program, allowing paraprofessionals to more easily transition into nursing.
An MSN is a Master's degree designed specifically for nurses and is pursued by those who already hold a BSN and who also usually have significant experience working as a nurse. MSN programs are typically 18 to 24 months long and allow for nurses to specialize even further into their chosen path of medical study.
An MSN has become the standard requirement for nurses who want more professional responsibilities. Having a MSN opens doors to many nursing career opportunities such as becoming a Nurse Practitioner, a highly trained nurse who can treat and diagnose patients without the supervision of a doctor, as well as in related opportunities such as healthcare management and administration.
Obtain an Advanced Degree in Healthcare AdministrationStudents who attend undergraduate programs to specifically prepare them for working in healthcare administrative and management roles, as well as professionals already working in healthcare can earn an advanced degree in this field. Professionals who are part of healthcare administration are a very important part of the industry at large; in essence they keep hospitals and other institutions running smoothly and safely, which is no small responsibility. This means planning healthcare programs, directing whole departments and coordinating and supervising healthcare workers and professionals.
A bachelor's degree is most definitely required to work in healthcare administration. However this will only qualify you for the bare minimum, entry level positions which are quite sparse. A master's in:
- Healthcare Management
- Long-term care administration
- Health sciences
- Public health
- Public administration
- Business administration
Healthcare administrators typically specialize in a certain medical field and become experts on the managerial aspects related to that field. This is why it is easy for some medical professionals, such as nurses, to advance into healthcare management roles since they would likely already have an in-depth understanding of at least the clinical aspects related to specific field of medical study.
Obtain an MDA Medical Doctorate (MD) is the highest professional medical degree conferred by any university and allows doctors to practice medicine, treat and diagnose patients and perform surgeries. Obtaining a MD takes a lot of hard work and time; however the process is usually easier, even if only slightly, for those already working in the healthcare industry.
The first step would be to get a bachelor's degree in a medical related field or prep program if you do not already have one. Nurses may want to obtain a BSN, while other healthcare professionals and paraprofessionals may want to major in a broader field of medical science. The next step would be to take the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT) so you can apply and get accepted into a medical school. Medical school is four years long, and must be attended by all who wish to earn MDs even if they already have an advanced degree in a healthcare field. However, those who already have advanced degrees in a healthcare related field, such as in nursing or healthcare administration, will no doubt have an easier time finishing medical school and some general credits from the previous advanced degree program may even be transferrable. Lastly, you would have to complete a paid residency program, which on average lasts three years. However, again already having experience working in the healthcare industry would help you successfully finish the residency requirement.
Obtain Additional Licensure, Certifications and TrainingThere are many programs that provide additional training courses as well as certifications and licenses that are specific to an occupation or field of medical study. You can find such programs by checking with your local college or vocational school or by searching for online programs that offer specialized courses for your occupation or field of medical study. Having even a small amount of additional training in your specific area of work or expertise can still help you earn more money and be one of the first candidates considered for promotions.
Article ReferencesBureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos014.htm#nature
Alliance for Medical Management Education
http://amme.utdallas.edu/
Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management
http://www.pahcom.com/
Directory of Healthcare Management Education
http://www.aupha.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3323
The Institute of Continuing Healthcare Education
http://www.iche.edu/
American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/
American Nurses Association
http://www.nursingworld.org/
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