https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/CollegeXpress: Health and Medicine Blog2024-03-29T15:43:29.748245+00:00python-feedgenhttp://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-find-right-health-sciences-field-you/Exploring the Health Sciences: How to Find the Right Field For You2024-03-29T11:43:29.774926-04:00Hannah Gilliard<p>Health Sciences provide opportunities to find an occupation that’s truly compatible with you. Whether you want to attend four years of college or more, a degree in Health Sciences can lead to a variety of occupations that range from medical assistant to nurse practitioner. But what is Health Science? This major combines science and health care to improve the well-being of both humans and animals, which includes nutrition, medicine, and other health-related topics. With so many different career possibilities, it can be hard to decide which one you’d like to pursue. Here’s a look at different Health Science fields to help you figure out which one is best for you.</p>
<h2>Occupations to consider for a bachelor’s degree</h2>
<p>To obtain a job in a Health Sciences field, you must complete at least four years of college to obtain a bachelor’s degree. A <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-evaluate-health-and-medicine-program/">bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences</a> will expand and grow your knowledge in health care and help prepare you for your desired occupation. Once you graduate with a bachelor’s degree, you can decide if you want to work in a clinical or non-clinical job. If you want your job to be in a clinical setting, you’ll be working with patients frequently. If you don’t want the pressure of being a leader of a whole department, you can always be an assistant and still lead in your occupation—this includes careers such as dental hygienist, occupational therapy assistant, surgical technician, veterinary technician, and physician assistant, just to name a few.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you may thrive in a non-clinical area of the Health Sciences. Non-clinical jobs give you a deep understanding of the health care industry. In non-clinical jobs, you’ll also most likely be a leader or supervisor over other people. If you want to plan or direct medical and health services, then being a medical or health service manager may be a good fit for you. If you want to discuss health concerns and collect data with people from specific communities or populations, then being a community health specialist could be a great career choice. These are just a few examples of jobs in the Health Sciences where you can truly be a leader in your field—and both clinical and non-clinical occupations can give you that experience.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/life-health-science-major/great-health-and-medicine-colleges-west/">Great Colleges and Universities for Health and Medicine in the West</a></p>
<h2>Health Sciences and grad school</h2>
<p>A lot of students want to go deeper into Health Sciences after getting a bachelor’s degree; therefore, they go to graduate school. The most <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/prepping-professional-school/all-your-questions-about-med-school-answered/">popular option is medical school</a>, which prepares students to become doctors, but there are other grad programs to help you achieve your dream job without going to medical school. If you don’t want to go to med school and be a doctor but still want to diagnose diseases and formulate and prescribe treatment plans, then becoming a nurse practitioner is the best way to go. You can become a dentist if you’re interested in dealing with mouth health, or if you’re more into designing, measuring, and fitting orthopedic braces, appliances, or prostheses, you could be a prosthetics-orthotics specialist. If you’re interested in helping people maintain and improve their bodies when dealing with pain, then being an occupational therapist or physical therapist would suit you well. Once you complete grad school, you’ll get more job offers and opportunities in your chosen field because of your advanced degree and expanded knowledge in that field.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/prepping-professional-school/how-choose-college-when-you-want-study-health-sciences/">How to Choose a College for Health Sciences Programs</a></p>
<h2>Different places you can work in the Health Sciences</h2>
<p>The most common area people in Health Sciences work in is the hospital. The reason is because hospitals have nearly all the <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/5-tips-high-school-students-considering-career-medicine/">specialized jobs in health care</a>, from medical assistant all the way to doctor. However, there are many more workplaces to choose from depending on your desired occupation. You can really work anywhere with a Health Sciences degree, from private agencies to medical laboratories where you can focus more on research in your field. You could also work for the state or federal government, or manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies to help produce and analyze data for different health care products. You can also work in clinics, physician offices, and different patient care facilities. The possibilities are endless!</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/day-life-health-care-team/">A Day in the Life of a Health Care Team</a></p>
<p>To figure out which Health Sciences field is right for you, you’ll need to look at what you really want to do with your degree. If you want to diagnose, design, do research, or collect data, you’ll then need to figure out if you want to commit to even more years of education. Also consider what type of environment you want to work in. With the Health Sciences, there’s an occupation for everyone; you just have to be passionate enough to go for it.</p>
<p><strong>Want to learn more about Health Sciences and studying them in college? Check out our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/day-life-health-care-team/">Health and Medicine</a> section.</strong></p>
<h3><strong><em>Sources:</em></strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://publichealthonline.org/health-sciences">Health Science Careers | PublicHealthOnline.org</a></li>
<li><a href="https://flex.wisconsin.edu/stories-news/what-can-you-do-with-a-health-sciences-degree/#:~:text=Health%20science%20is%20the%20application,and%20other%20health%2Drelated%20topics">What Can You Do with a Health Sciences Degree? | UW Flexible Option, University of Wisconsin System</a></li>
</ul>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/top-10-states-will-need-nurses-most-2030/Top 10 States That Will Need Nurses the Most by 20302024-03-29T11:43:29.772706-04:00Madison Troyer<p>Nursing is facing a perfect storm of factors that, when taken all together, may <a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/nursing/world-may-be-short-5-7m-nurses-by-2030-4-report-takeaways.html">leave the world short of almost 5.7 million nurses by 2030</a>, according to forecasts by Becker's Hospital Review. In America, the driving factors behind this shortage include the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age, an increased need for health care as our population gets older, a lack of qualified educators, and the COVID-19 pandemic. While every state is feeling the effects of these factors, their intensity—and the amount to which they’ll affect nursing supply—varies immensely.</p>
<p>NursingEducation.org used data from the Health Resources and Services Administration's <a href="https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nchwa-hrsa-nursing-report.pdf">Health Workforce Simulation Model</a>, an integrated health professions projection model that estimates the current and future supply of and demand for health care providers. The 2017 model, which is the most recent available, looks at demographics of current health care providers, current and projected population numbers, and the state of the national economy and the labor market. The states below were ranked by the projected surplus of registered nurses in 2030, which is the percent change between the projected supply of RNs and the projected demand. A positive percentage means there's a projected surplus of nurses in 2030, and a negative percentage means there's a projected shortage of nurses. Any ties are broken by the projected surplus of licensed practical nurses in 2030. Read on to see the top 10 states that will need nurses the most by the year 2030 and what they are doing to help amend the crisis, from improving the student-to-professional pipeline to providing monetary incentives.</p>
<h2>10. Massachusetts</h2>
<p>One factor that acts as a deterrent for those considering entering the nursing field is pay. Some states, like South Dakota and Montana, are known for their low mean wages. But this isn’t the case in Massachusetts, where <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2018/09/24/as-population-ages-great-time-to-become-a-nurse-in-bay-state/">the mean salary for an RN is $89,000</a> and the mean salary for a nurse practitioner is $120,000. The above-average pay is certainly an incentive for nurses looking to put down roots.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected surplus of registered nurses in 2030: 2.2%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 89,300</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 91,300</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 17.9%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 20,100</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 16,500</li>
</ul>
<h2>9. Montana</h2>
<p>One commonly cited obstacle for individuals considering a Nursing degree is money: a four-year BSN program often doesn’t come cheap. In Montana, licensed nurses working in state prisons or hospitals can apply for a loan reimbursement program called the <a href="https://mus.edu/Prepare/Pay/Loans/MINIP.html#:~:text=The%20Montana%20Institutional%20Nursing%20Incentive,state%20prison%20or%20the%20Montana">Montana Institutional Nursing Incentive Program</a>, which helps offset these costs in exchange for working locally after graduation. The program has contributed to the surplus of RNs in the state, and a similar program for LPNs could go a long way in offsetting the shortage.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected surplus of registered nurses in 2030: 1.7%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 12,100</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 12,300</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 17.6%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 3,400</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 2,800</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/everything-you-need-know-about-nursing-majors/"><strong>Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Majors</strong></a> </p>
<h2>8. Arizona</h2>
<p>A <a href="https://stateofreform.com/featured/2021/02/the-arizona-nurses-association-tells-us-what-bills-theyre-watching-this-session/">proposed bill in Arizona, HB 2633,</a> would create an 18-member nursing workgroup that would be tasked with identifying gaps between nursing curriculums and the real-world skills nurses need. Once these gaps—which often lead to a lack of confidence in newly licensed nurses that can drive them away from the field—have been identified, the workgroup would aid and establish mentorship programs for these nurses in an effort to increase retention rates. If passed, the bill could go a long way in lowering the deficits in the state.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected surplus of registered nurses in 2030: 1.2%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 98,700</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 99,900</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 22.8%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 15,800</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 12,200</li>
</ul>
<h2>7. Georgia</h2>
<p>At least three schools in Georgia—<a href="https://www.cbs46.com/news/nursing-shortages-on-the-rise-as-need-for-healthcare-workers-remains-critical/article_a572ff60-5abd-11eb-9997-a3b1d5750642.html">South College</a>, <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/albany-state-university/2400007/details/">Albany State University</a>, and <a href="https://news.gsu.edu/2020/12/03/georgia-state-offers-new-l-p-n-to-b-s-degree-option-as-a-new-solution-to-nursing-shortage/">Georgia State University</a>—are offering new, innovative program options for prospective nurses in order to prevent the projected 2.2% shortage they’ll be facing in the next 10 years. One notable program, a partnership between the <a href="https://www.ems1.com/ems-education/articles/ga-health-system-partners-with-university-to-address-emt-nurse-shortages-MEVEDR2uRMaERG2W/">Phoebe Putney Health System and Albany State University</a>, targets high school students, hoping to inspire them to pursue careers in health care before they even enroll in college. Current nurses can find support and education opportunities through the <a href="https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/">Georgia Nurses Association</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 2.2%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 101,000</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 98,800</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 28.9%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 36,300</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 25,800</li>
</ul>
<h2>6. Texas</h2>
<p>Texas is yet another state facing a shortage of nurses thanks to underequipped Nursing programs that don’t have the resources necessary to accept all of their qualified applicants. In response to this issue, the UT Southwestern Medical Center partnered with the <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/university-of-texas-at-arlington/1100464/details/">University of Texas at Arlington</a>’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation in late 2020 to greatly expand its online Nursing program, making it <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/09/20/the-pandemic-highlights-nationwide-nursing-shortage-that-is-acute-in-texas/">the largest public program of its type</a> in the entire country. This single program has the potential to turn out thousands of LPNs and RNs, who could then close the gap.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 5.9%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 269,300</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 253,400</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 29.3%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 114,400</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 80,900</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/make-difference-nursing/"><strong>Make a Difference by Majoring in Nursing</strong></a> </p>
<h2>5. New Jersey</h2>
<p>One of the primary reasons for the projected nursing shortage in New Jersey is a <a href="http://www.njni.org/resource-item/the-nursing-shortage-and-new-jersey/">lack of qualified educators </a>who are able to train prospective nurses, resulting in thousands of potential students being turned away from programs each year. The <a href="http://www.njni.org/about/">New Jersey Nursing Initiative</a> is working to fix the supply issue by investing millions of dollars in education, reshaping curricula, and helping potential educators pay for upper-level degrees. The organization and its mission could be a huge draw for nurses looking to leave the floor while remaining in the field or new nurses who may hope to teach someday.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 11.2%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 102,200</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 90,800</li>
<li>Projected surplus of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 11.3%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 27,400</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 30,500</li>
</ul>
<h2>4. California</h2>
<p>While it’s been a known fact for years that California will be at the center of the nursing shortage crisis come 2030, the <a href="https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/california-nursing-shortage-becomes-critical-as-coronavirus-hospitalization/">COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the issue</a>. At two separate points over the last year, the state—namely the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas—has been the epicenter of the pandemic, and its 300,000 nurses have been stretched to their limits. The concern now is that many nurses, especially older ones, <a href="https://www.advisory.com/en/daily-briefing/2020/10/06/older-doctors">will retire early due to the stress</a> and over concern for their own health and well-being, which could make the projected 11.5% shortage happen well before 2030.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 11.5%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 387,900</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 343,400</li>
<li>Projected surplus of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 3.1%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 117,400</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 121,000</li>
</ul>
<h2>3. South Dakota</h2>
<p>In response to the projected shortage, South Dakota founded the <a href="https://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/sdcenter.aspx">SD Center for Nursing Workforce</a> in 2002, which is tasked with recruiting, retaining, and educating licensed and soon-to-be-licensed nurses. Examples of <a href="https://sdworkforce.com/south-dakota-workforce-initiatives/">recruitment tactics</a> the state has undertaken are the South Dakota Recruitment Assistance Program (RAP), which provides $56,880 payments to nurses in return for three-year, full-time service commitments, and the South Dakota Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program (RHFRAP), which provides an additional $10,000 payment to nurses who meet the same requirements.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 14.0%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 13,600</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 11,700</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 12.5%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 3,200</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 2,800</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-with-outstanding-nursing-programs/212/"><strong>Colleges With Outstanding Nursing Programs</strong></a></p>
<h2>2. South Carolina</h2>
<p>There’s at least one hospital group in South Carolina—Self Regional Healthcare—that has attempted to amend the crisis the state is facing by guaranteeing jobs before students have even begun an undergraduate program. Through their <a href="https://scha.org/best-practice/apprenticeship-program-for-nursing-shortages/">apprenticeship program</a>, the hospital preemptively hires prospective CNA students, provides them with a scholarship to attend Piedmont Technical College, and pays them while they earn their degree. This arrangement may be especially appealing for established professionals who are looking to switch careers.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 16.6%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 62,500</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 52,100</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 36.4%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 12,900</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 8,200</li>
</ul>
<h2>1. Alaska</h2>
<p>Due to its separation from the contingent United States, Alaska has always had a hard time attracting and retaining highly skilled, highly experienced nurses and medical professionals. The <a href="https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2020/11/06/healthcare-officials-say-the-national-nurse-shortage-is-a-major-issue-in-alaska/">pandemic has only exacerbated the problem</a>, leaving the northern tundra desperate for licensed nurses. On the other hand, those looking to provide medical care in the state are almost guaranteed job security, which can be a major draw for those looking to begin a long career.</p>
<ul>
<li>Projected shortage of registered nurses in 2030: 22.7%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for registered nurses: 23,800</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of registered nurses: 18,400</li>
<li>Projected shortage of licensed practical nurses in 2030: 35.5%</li>
<li>2030 projected demand for licensed practical nurses: 3,100</li>
<li>2030 projected supply of licensed practical nurses: 2,000</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/life-health-science-major/great-health-and-medicine-colleges-west/">Great Colleges and Universities for Health and Medicine in the West</a> </p>
<p>The nursing shortage is one of the major health care problems facing this country today. As a result of ongoing health care reform, an aging population, and the problem exacerbated by the pandemic, the need for health care grows, yet enrollment in nursing schools isn’t growing fast enough to meet the demand. If you’re up to the task, consider earning your degree in Nursing. You’ll be almost guaranteed a job (especially in one of these states), and there are major incentives that go beyond money. </p>
<p><strong>See where all the states fall in the rankings by <a href="https://nursingeducation.org/states-that-will-need-nurses-the-most-by-2030/">reading the full article here</a>, and discover great colleges to earn your Nursing degree with our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/profiles/health-and-medicine/">featured Health and Medicine School Profiles</a>. </strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/scared-blood-these-health-majors-are-perfect-you/Scared of Blood? These Health Majors Are Perfect for You2024-03-29T11:43:29.770940-04:00B. Juda<p>Choosing a health and medicine–based major can lead to a lucrative and rewarding career, but it might seem off the table for squeamish students who can’t stand the sight of needles or blood. Not so fast! There are many careers you can pursue beyond traditional Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies that offer substantial salaries in exceptional health care environments. The following majors and degrees require the same critical-thinking skills, communication, organization, teamwork, networking, and knowledge as other medical and health science fields—minus all the broken bones and complicated surgeries.</p>
<h2>Athletic trainer/sports medicine</h2>
<p><strong>Degree required:</strong> Bachelor’s in Exercise Science or Kinesiology; Doctor of Medicine (MD)</p>
<p>Athletic trainers, who may work in high schools or colleges, supply treatments to prevent, manage, and convalesce injuries. To be a certified athletic trainer, all you need is a bachelor’s degree in either Exercise Science or Kinesiology. Though pay may depend on where you’re working, the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes299091.htm">US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports</a> the median salary of an athletic trainer to be $58,170. However, if you choose to become a sports medicine physician, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) is required—but the average salary goes up to $204,190. With a minimum of eight years of school—including residency, medical school, and a license—sports medicine physicians make astonishing salaries and have great work environments.</p>
<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/5-tips-high-school-students-considering-career-medicine/">5 Tips for High School Students Considering a Career in Medicine</a></p>
<h2>Dental hygienist</h2>
<p><strong>Degree required: </strong>Associate or bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene</p>
<p>A dental hygienist is the delightful nurse who cleans your teeth and educates patients on how to practice good oral hygiene. Depending on what area you’re working in, a dental hygienist can make anywhere from $57,000–$94,000, with the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm">median pay landing at $77,090</a>. The minimum education required to be a licensed dental hygienist is an associate degree, with certain courses required such as pharmacology, radiology, chemistry, anatomy, microbiology, and clinical dental hygiene.</p>
<h2>Clinical nurse leader</h2>
<p><strong>Degree required: </strong>Master’s or higher in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leadership, or related field</p>
<p>A clinical nurse leader is a good path for anyone who wants to utilize their strong leadership skills to make a difference in the medical field. A relatively new career, clinical nurse leaders maintain the responsibilities of designing and evaluating patient care while supervising, instructing, and collaborating with their health care teams (from a clinical stance). Their work goes beyond the bedside, mostly focusing on management, budgets, and business duties to help guide their organization's direction and lead a team of nurses. <a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Clinical-Nurse-Leader-Salary">According to ZipRecruiter</a>, the average salary of a clinical nurse leader is $104,07, and the education required is a master’s degree.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/make-difference-nursing/">Make a Difference by Majoring in Nursing</a></p>
<h2>Dietitian/nutritionist</h2>
<p><strong>Degree required: </strong>Bachelor’s in Dietetics, Nutrition, or related field</p>
<p>By majoring in Dietetics, you’ll study human nutrition to pursue a career as a nutritionist or dietician. A nutritionist advises people on certain foods, including what they should be eating and what they should stay away from. A dietician advises their patients on how many calories they should be eating to safely stay in shape or to lose/gain weight. Both jobs create meal plans for their patients to follow on a daily basis in order to stay healthy. Dieticians and nutritionists earn an <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm">average salary of $63,090</a>, and you only have to get a bachelor’s degree; a master’s isn’t very common in dietetics.</p>
<h2>Exercise physiologist</h2>
<p><strong>Degree required: </strong>Bachelor’s in Kinesiology</p>
<p>Exercise physiology is another considerable profession for those who want to enter the medical field and focus on exercise. These health care workers spend their time analyzing a patient’s fitness to help them ameliorate their health by evaluation, exercise programs, and stress tests. A bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology is usually the minimum requirement, with some earning a master’s or doctorate. <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm">According to the BLS</a>, almost half of all exercise physiologists are self-employed, and the medium income is $50,280. </p>
<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/life-health-science-major/great-health-and-medicine-colleges-east/">Great Colleges and Universities for Health and Medicine in the Northeast</a> </p>
<p>Nursing is a highly underrated job and one of the toughest professions out there. As a result, it may not be the right fit for people who just can’t stand the sight of blood. Luckily there are many other majors and jobs for students who still want to work in health and medicine. With degree requirements ranging from an associate to a doctorate, you can choose how far you’ll go and how you’ll make your mark in the health care field. </p>
<p><strong>Looking for a great college to start your medical career? Check out our </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/profiles/health-and-medicine/"><strong>featured Health and Medicine School Profiles</strong></a><strong> and request information in just one click</strong>!</p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/important-study-tips-online-nursing-students/Important Study Tips for Online Nursing Students2024-03-29T11:43:29.768967-04:00Eleanor Bardot<p align="left">Online Nursing programs have recently gained a bit of popularity due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, where most students were confined to their homes and studying online became the standard form of learning. This transition made it possible for both students and universities to evaluate the effectiveness of distance/remote education, and many came to prefer it over traditional classroom lectures. Studying Nursing online may seem more difficult than most majors, but there are some amazing programs out there. And with these tips, you can make your online Nursing education just as effective as if you were learning in person.</p>
<h2>What to expect in online nursing school</h2>
<p align="left">Online Nursing degree programs typically consist of three components:</p>
<ul>
<li>Online classes and lectures</li>
<li>Laboratory experiences (labs)</li>
<li>On-site clinical experiences </li>
</ul>
<p align="left">Labs will most likely be held on campus, or you can choose to participate in online simulation labs. Clinical experiences usually take place at patient care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, or physician clinics. This is important to note so you don’t think you’ll be missing out on important learning experiences just because you’re <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/online-degree-programs-pros-and-cons-you-need-consider/">completing your degree online</a>. All three components are equally important for successfully completing your program, and while online nursing school has its advantages when it comes to flexibility, cost, and time management, it can still be challenging and difficult to manage at times.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/video-what-i-wish-i-knew-nursing-school/">Video: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Nursing School</a></p>
<h2>Helpful study tips for online Nursing students</h2>
<p align="left">With all this in mind, we’ve gathered some of the most useful tips to help you succeed and make the most out of your online Nursing classes and on-site clinical trainings.</p>
<h3>Create an effective study environment</h3>
<p align="left">Studying from the comfort of your own home, or anywhere you like for that matter, is one of the biggest benefits of online learning. However, studying from home can get <em>too </em>comfortable<em> </em>at times, and a study session can quickly turn into a nap if you don’t create an effective and productive environment. Find a place to put your study materials where you can comfortably stay focused for a couple of hours without distractions. When it comes to online learning, some things to check off your list for a productive study space include:</p>
<ul>
<li>A stable internet connection</li>
<li>No disruption from people around you</li>
<li>A decluttered and organized area</li>
</ul>
<h3>Make a study schedule</h3>
<p align="left">Another advantage of online studies is you have more flexibility when organizing your workload and assignments. The opportunity for self-paced learning means you can create a schedule that complies with your other commitments. Still, this flexibility can often turn into hours of procrastination if not managed properly. Therefore, creating a study schedule and sticking to it will provide a routine and make it much easier to <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/video-organization-and-time-management-skills/">organize your studies effectively</a> and learn your best. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/how-create-effective-distance-learning-routine/">How to Create an Effective Distance Learning Routine</a></p>
<h3>Take regular breaks</h3>
<p align="left">Study breaks are often a neglected component of online learning, especially during long pre-exam nights when you’re studying like there’s no tomorrow. The key to productive study sessions is taking a break from time to time to regain energy and focus. And this doesn’t apply to online lectures or study sessions only; make sure you schedule breaks and try to find a moment to breath or unwind during busy clinical days too. Whether you’re grabbing a quick snack, doing some stretches, or taking a power nap, these breaks can genuinely make a difference when it comes to retaining more information, allowing you to <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/feeling-burnt-out-5-steps-get-back-track/">recharge and de-stress</a>.</p>
<h3>Keep backup copies of your assignments</h3>
<p align="left">Attending nursing school online means you’ll be doing most of your work on a laptop or computer. However efficient they may be, they’re not always the most reliable. You could experience a disruption in your internet connection or a technological glitch, and all of a sudden that long assignment you spent hours typing is gone. In these cases, the smart thing to do is invest in an external hard drive and back it up every day. You could also type out your assignments in Google Docs, where they’re automatically saved while you work, then you can copy and paste them in whatever format and online platform you need to for submission. By doing this, you’ll ensure your work won’t be lost and spare yourself from having to redo the same assignment.</p>
<h3>Avoid online distractions</h3>
<p align="left">When it comes to finding information quickly and conveniently, the internet is everyone’s go-to source. However, when you’re attending online classes, working on an assignment, or shadowing a nurse during clinicals, it can just as easily become a source of distraction that hinders your workflow and focus. To ensure your attention remains on your study materials, lectures, or clinical instructor, consider the following tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Silence all phone, tablet, or computer notifications that aren’t relevant to your schoolwork.</li>
<li>Close all websites, <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/articles/college-health-safety/social-media-holding-you-back/">social media apps</a>, or other online sources that are distracting and not needed for studying. (You could even download an app that locks you out of tempting websites for a certain period of time.)</li>
<li>If you can’t keep your hands off your phone, turn it off completely or leave it somewhere out of reach until you’re done with studying or your clinical shift. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong> <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/6-tips-dealing-distractions-online-classes/">6 Tips for Dealing With Distractions in Online Classes</a></p>
<h3>Figure out your learning style</h3>
<p align="left">The beauty of studying is that each student learns and retains information differently, and there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to study. We all have our preferred ways that work best for us, which can truly make a difference in information processing and retention. Figuring out which way you learn most efficiently is done best through trial and error. You can try out different methods of studying, such as revising your materials by writing down the most crucial information in bullet points, watching a YouTube video on the topic you’re studying, using flashcards for revising, or something entirely different.</p>
<h3>Interact with fellow students</h3>
<p align="left">Online learning offers more flexibility, self-paced learning, and many other benefits, but it can often <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/college-academics/4-ways-avoid-isolation-online-student/">feel like an isolating experience</a>. Sometimes you may need a second opinion on an assignment or topic, or you may not have fully understood a lecture. This is where other students come to the rescue; you’re on the same journey, after all. Additionally, having a friend during the clinical portion of your program can help you tackle on-site challenges and duties. Communicating with your peers can tremendously help you all stay on track with your studies, fill in the gaps for information you didn’t fully understand, learn from each other’s mistakes, and keep each other accountable.</p>
<h3>Take care of yourself</h3>
<p align="left">Once deadlines or pre-exam stress kick in, most students tend to neglect some <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/great-mental-health-habits-students-establish/">crucial aspects of self-care</a>. While it’s essential to dedicate time for studying and revising, it’s just as important to make time for yourself and unwind every once in a while. Here are some things to keep in mind and try to work into your academic routine:</p>
<ul>
<li>Prioritizing sleep</li>
<li>Getting even minimal daily exercise, be it a walk to a park, yoga, dancing, sports, or any other activity you prefer</li>
<li>Taking time to listen to music, read a new book, or watch a movie</li>
<li>Keeping in touch with friends and family and turning to them for support when needed</li>
<li>Treating yourself to your favorite food</li>
<li>Focusing on your breathing in moments of stress </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/how-make-your-semester-more-mindful/">7 Easy Ways to Make Your Semester More Mindful</a></p>
<p align="left">Studying to get your Nursing degree is an experience in which you can expect to grow both personally and professionally—before taking on the celebrated role of a nurse. With these tips and best practices, you’ll surely succeed and make the most out of your online studies.</p>
<p align="left"><strong>For more learning advice and study tips to get through college, check out our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/">Majors and Academics</a> section.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/where-look-health-care-internships-high-school/Where to Look for Health Care Internships in High School2024-03-29T11:43:29.766731-04:00Srivarsha Rayasam<p>Health care is a very competitive field, even if you’re looking for small volunteering or internship positions. The reason is because there’s no room for mistakes when it comes to caring for other’s lives. Because of how competitive they are, you have to really want the position to make the best of your time and how you portray yourself while applying. Let’s go over some tactics to find opportunities in high school as well as make yourself stand out from other applicants. </p>
<h2>How to find health care internships</h2>
<p>Finding opportunities is difficult in health care but not impossible. Many students in high school want to go the <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/prepping-professional-school/medical-school-admission-requirements-design/">Pre-med route in college</a>, and health care internships are inarguably the best way to stand out, as they show you’re passionate and will give you an edge in medical settings, allowing you to discuss field experiences you’ve already had in your future admission essays. </p>
<h3>Check with local hospitals</h3>
<p>In my opinion, the best place for high school students looking to volunteer or find a health care internship is a large hospital, as there’s a wide variety of opportunities and exposure to <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/day-life-health-care-team/">different health care roles</a>. Contact your local hospital to see if they need volunteers or have any high school internship positions open. In my town, volunteers at the local hospital answer call lights from patients, which requires no immediate contact with anyone. Usually, there will be a waitlist at most places because there tends to be an excessive number of applicants and not enough spots. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/paths-help-you-pursue-nursing-and-medical-careers/">Top Academic Paths to Help You Pursue Nursing and Medical Careers</a></p>
<h3>Improve your chances and be persistent</h3>
<p>Often hospitals will take volunteers on a first come, first served basis, whereas some look for qualifications and select more specifically. If the hospital you’re applying to prefers qualifications, having your CPR certification and demonstrating knowledge about basic vitals is an excellent way to stand out. Take specific health classes at your school or local community college if you can as well. When some hospitals stop accepting applicants, most people move on because they see it as a closed opportunity. Instead, contact the volunteer coordinator or front desk to show your continued interest and specifically ask to be put on a waitlist. If you end up on the waitlist, email them every couple of months and ask how your application has progressed. </p>
<h3>Look into free clinics and private practices</h3>
<p>If you don’t have a local hospital or you’re on a waitlist and want to find more opportunities, look into free clinics in your area. These clinics could probably use an extra hand somewhere, as they run primarily on donations and volunteers—and depending on your area, they could be lacking in them. If that’s unavailable as well, try to contact private practices to shadow doctors. There are some other programs such as <a href="https://copehealthscholars.org/programs/health-scholar/overview/">COPE Health Scholars</a>, which can also give you more insight and experience into the medical field. The UCLA program specifically requires a certain amount of training and hours volunteered as well as a fee to join. </p>
<h2>What to know about paid health care internship positions</h2>
<p>Keep in mind most of these opportunities are not paid positions; if you want a paid position, you can apply to a Certified Nursing Assistant program if you’re at least 16 (age requirements may vary by state). CNAs usually work in hospitals and take care of patients’ dietary and hygienic needs as well as take vitals. <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/health-careers-you-havent-considered/">Another paid job at a hospital</a> is a medical assistant. They usually work in private practices and prepare patients before procedures, explain treatment to patients, and take medical histories. However, you must be at least 18 years old to work as one. If you’re not 18, it’s a good idea to start preparing early, then you <em>could</em> be once your birthday rolls around! </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/make-difference-nursing/"><strong>Make a Difference by Majoring in Nursing</strong></a></p>
<p>Whether you shadow a private doctor or volunteer at a large hospital, remember to always ask questions and show interest in what the doctor or nurse is doing. Through these health care internships and volunteer opportunities, you can figure out if medicine really is for you or solidify your passion further. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in a better position to get into a great college for health care, and you’ll likely have someone to write you a great letter of recommendation! </p>
<p><strong>Start looking for great colleges for health and medicine that will <em>love </em>your internship experience with our </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/tags/featured-health-colleges/"><strong>featured health college lists</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/4-great-but-unexpected-health-and-medical-career-paths/4 Great but Unexpected Health and Medical Career Paths2024-03-29T11:43:29.764924-04:00Pilar Zapata Thompson<p>When choosing to pursue a health and medicine–oriented major in college, you may think the only end goal is to go for a traditional or popular career path like a nurse or doctor. But these aren't the only jobs in the health care industry. While a lot of students choose to go on to medical school and residency after earning their bachelor’s, there are plenty of careers that allow you to apply your skills and knowledge without working directly with patients or earning an advanced degree. Some options include hands-on work—like paramedics, surgeons, or EMTs—while others revolve around legal administration or lab research. Here are four potential career paths you may not know you could pursue with a health and medicine degree.</p>
<h2>1. Public health worker</h2>
<p>Public health workers keep communities safe from health threats by tracking and preventing diseases to avoid spread at a large scale. They also advocate for healthy lifestyles in communities—so instead of treating sick people, this role seeks to prevent said sickness and injuries. As a public health worker, you might contribute to research that identifies causes and solutions to diseases and viruses, interact with people to encourage and emphasize the importance of good health practices, educate people on the effects of unhealthy habits like drugs, or fight for access to basic health resources in both large and small communities. This career allows you to branch out and be flexible not only in location—which can vary from clinics and hospital wings to private companies and governments—but also in day-to-day work that ranges from administering vaccinations to creating nutrition programs for schools.</p>
<h2>2. Medical educator, professor, or teacher</h2>
<p>Medical educators interact with students and other people who are interested in learning about and pursuing health and medicine. Whether you choose to teach the elderly nutrition and daily health habits or young, eager students in universities and medical schools, choosing this path will demand you provide tools, skills, and knowledge to people regardless of the end goal. A career path in <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/blog/boost-your-career-advantages-these-5-liberal-arts-skills/">teaching will also demand great communication skills</a> rather than just general knowledge and facts of the field. A career as an educator could even be a second career path for you as the years go by, where the knowledge you acquired from another role in the medical field can be used in a classroom or conference hall—or in the case of medical educators, will allow you to explore other careers like public health or clinical work.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><u><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/paths-help-you-pursue-nursing-and-medical-careers/">Top Academic Paths to Help You Pursue Nursing and Medical Careers</a></u></p>
<h2>3. Medical photographer, anatomical illustrator, health journalist, or medical writer</h2>
<p>If you have the artistic ability to go with your medical prowess, these career paths could be perfect for you. Medical photographers take photos and videos for both private patient care and general information for doctors, students, and medical magazines. This means you may photograph different stages of injuries and the recovery period or assist health care professionals in creating treatment plans and education courses. On the other hand, health journalists and medical writers communicate <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/careers-health-medicine/day-life-health-care-team/">what’s going on in the medical community</a> by writing articles, studies, reports, and research results to publish in medical magazines, often working with photographers to include visuals in their work. In fact, many doctors and researchers take on this career as a complement to their primary role—you don’t have to be a doctor to write about health, but a medical background would certainly help. Lastly, anatomical illustrators provide detailed drawings of the human body to serve as a visual support in education, reports, and marketing when photos don’t do the job. All these career choices allow you to take on the creative side of medicine while keeping you in the loop with doctors, researchers, and patients to stay up-to-date in the medical world.</p>
<h2>4. Legal and administration</h2>
<p>You may find yourself interested in using your knowledge of health and medicine in jobs like medical legal advisor, medical sales representative, transplant coordinator, investment banker, pharmaceutical marketing and management, and so on. These career paths in particular involve using medical knowledge and skills in managing medical cases in court trials, managing a hospital, holding lectures, writing articles and reports, taking on legal research, coordinating hospital events, managing hospital finances, and more. Basically, your bachelor's degree will help you understand the way the medical field works, and your real-world experience will help you in managing it. However, these career choices may require you to further your education, whether it's going to law school or <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/grad-school/articles/choosing-graduate-program/what-can-you-do-masters-degree/">earning a master's degree</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/grad-school/articles/choosing-graduate-program/how-know-if-law-school-right-you/">How to Know If Law School Is Right for You</a></p>
<p>If you majored or are planning to major in a health and medicine field, you have a wide variety of career paths to choose from beyond the more “typical” roles. Whether you wish to attend grad school or start working directly after graduation, your degree can take you on unexpected paths, which may even involve everything from creativity to communication skills. Your options are truly limitless!</p>
<p><strong>Still not sure which career is your best fit? Check out our blog on </strong><strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-find-right-health-sciences-field-you/">How to Find the Right Health Sciences Field for You</a>.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/5-of-the-best-undergraduate-majors-for-students-on-a-pre-med-track/5 of the Best Undergraduate Majors for Students on a Pre-med Track2024-03-29T11:43:29.762965-04:00Jessica Stewart<p>Students who want to go into medicine may assume their undergraduate study has to perfectly correlate with their future career goals—but that’s not necessarily the case. Students on a Pre-med track can major in a variety of different subjects because they only need to meet certain course requirements for a medical program. However, these courses can take up a lot of time, so it’s best to choose a major that already encompasses some, if not all, of them. Fortunately, that still leaves you with many different options! Your major should give you a good foundation for topics that are found on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Both required courses and MCAT topics encompass areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and social sciences, which is why these are some of the best subjects to major in. Let’s dive deeper into five of the most promising options.</p>
<h2>1. Biological Sciences</h2>
<p>Biological Science programs often have a large overlap with the core requirements for medical school as well as <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/grad-school/blog/top-7-tips-to-help-you-prepare-for-the-mcat/">topics found on the MCAT</a>, which is why it’s one of the best undergraduate majors for students on a Pre-med track. According to the <a href="https://www.aamc.org/media/6061/download">Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)</a>, more than half of medical school matriculants or attendees majored in the Biological Sciences, but just a little over a third of Biological Science majors who apply get accepted. This indicates that while most people who attend medical school study Biological Science, it’s a decently competitive area for those applying. This field isn’t limited to biology, however; it encompasses biochemistry, neurobiology, bioengineering, and more, which is why it’s one of the most popular areas of study for Pre-med students. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/where-biological-sciences-phds-received-their-undergraduate-degrees/118/">Where Biological Sciences PhDs Received Their Undergraduate Degrees</a></p>
<h2>2. Physical Sciences</h2>
<p>Physical Sciences are another popular area of study for those applying and attending medical school, as they also cover a good portion of course requirements. Some common Physical Science majors include Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics—all of which are required core courses for medical school and can be found on the MCAT. According to the AAMC data, over 40% of those who apply for medical school with a Physical Science major get accepted and attend, which makes it less competitive and more unique than Biological Science. However, these subjects may not align as much with your desired career path, as they are generally less focused on health and medicine. </p>
<h2>3. Social Sciences</h2>
<p>Social Sciences are the second-most popular area of study for medical school applicants, but the acceptance and attendance rates are about 7% lower compared to Physical Science students, according to data from the AAMC. Social Sciences cover popular majors such as Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, and Economics. While only Psychology and Sociology tend to be tied to medical school requirements and MCAT topics, the other majors can be of interest for students who want a broader base of knowledge for their future career. These types of subject areas can make medical school applicants stand out and <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/feeling-burnt-out-5-steps-get-back-track/">help avoid burnout</a> in a specific study, but it can also make achieving course requirements more difficult. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/5-reasons-why-you-need-liberal-arts-education/">5 Reasons Why You Need a Liberal Arts Education</a></p>
<h2>4. Humanities</h2>
<p>Like Social Sciences, Humanities can also help medical school applicants stand out and avoid burnout in their future study, but it’s also less popular than the preceding three subject areas. Humanities has an acceptance and attendance rate of almost 45%, according to the AAMC, which is the highest among all the areas of study of medical school applicants. Popular Humanities majors include English, Literature, Art History, Women’s Studies, Ethics, and Cultural and Language Studies. <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/great-careers-consider-aspiring-humanities-majors/">Humanities generally are a diverse area</a>, but again, you can run into the issue of lack of subject overlap between the Humanities and med school requirements; it may be necessary to either extend the time spent on your undergraduate degree or take summer courses to graduate on time. Though that may be undesirable, the breadth of knowledge attained from studying the Humanities can make you a more well-rounded individual with a higher chance of being admitted to medical school.</p>
<h2>5. Mathematics & Statistics</h2>
<p>Mathematics & Statistics is the least common major for Pre-med students on this list, as it likely has the least amount of overlap with required med school courses and topics found on the MCAT, but there’s still an <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/ask-experts/how-do-i-get-medical-school/">acceptance and attendance rate</a> of about 40% according, to the AAMC. Usually there’s some sort of mathematics requirement for prospective medical students, like calculus or statistics (depending on the school you wish to attend). But there are less specialized majors for math, with most universities only offering Mathematics or Applied Mathematics programs. You’ll likely need to either take summer courses or spend more time on your undergraduate degree in order to attain the requirements with this path. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/choosing-major/what-can-you-do-math-major/">Math in the Real World: A Look at Experts in the Field</a></p>
<h3>Choose what’s most advantageous to you</h3>
<p>Not all students need to major in these specific areas of study to go into medicine. At the end of the day, there are no specific major requirements for students who are on the Pre-med track, just course requirements. If you plan to attend medical school, it’s best to pick a major that interests you, but it’s important to realize that not all majors meet Pre-med requirements, so it might take more time or effort to get to that point. With that being said, about 34% of those who apply with a major not listed above get admitted and attend medical school, according to the AAMC. The most popular major for Pre-med students is Biological Sciences, and the highest admission and attendance rates are with students who study Humanities. What you major in is totally up to you, and there are many different avenues to get to medical school, so choose what’s most advantageous for your preferences and long-term goals.</p>
<p><strong>Start exploring med schools to keep on track for your future goals using our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/grad-school/">Graduate School Search tool</a>. </strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-to-determine-if-a-career-in-internal-medicine-is-right-for-you/How to Determine If a Career in Internal Medicine Is Right for You2024-03-29T11:43:29.760869-04:00Dr. Brennan Kruszewski<p>Choosing a career is hard, and even if you already have your heart set on a career as a doctor, there are still many specialties to choose from. The road to becoming a physician is long—usually taking a minimum of four years of college after high school, four more years of postgraduate study in medical school, and three years of further training in residency before your training is complete. Before committing to over a decade of education, it pays to have a full understanding of the rigors associated with becoming a physician. If you’re considering a career as a doctor or already pursuing med school, a career in internal medicine might be right for you.</p>
<h2>Choosing a career in medicine</h2>
<p>Students pursue careers in medicine for many reasons—the opportunity to help others, a variety of daily challenges, the reward of watching patients get better, and even just the prestige of working in the profession are all major attractions. From nurses and doctors to EMTs and physician assistants, health care professionals are often driven by an intrinsic desire to help people. If that’s not enough motivation, consider that <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm#:~:text=Employment%20in%20healthcare%20occupations%20is,of%20the%20other%20occupational%20groups.">health care job opportunities</a> are projected to grow substantially and, generally speaking, pay well compared to other fields. While many are motivated to pursue a career in medicine for altruistic reasons, a strong future job market and the promise of a good salary don’t hurt either!</p>
<h3>How do I decide if I should pursue medicine?</h3>
<p>First things first: You should have a good understanding of what a doctor does on a day-to-day basis before committing to several years of medical school and residency. <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/where-look-health-care-internships-high-school/">Shadowing physicians</a>, volunteering in a hospital, or working as a paramedic or EMT are all great ways to get exposure to the health care field. Although nothing can prepare you perfectly for the rigors of medical school, taking a challenging curriculum in high school and college will also help you prepare academically for the challenges of this path.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-pursue-your-interest-pre-med-high-school/">How to Pursue Your Interest in Pre-med in High School</a></p>
<h2>What <em>is</em> internal medicine specifically?</h2>
<p>Internal medicine is the <a href="https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/career-paths/medical-student-career-path/understanding-internal-medicine-a-guide-for-medical-students">world’s largest medical specialty</a>—there are over 200,000 internists practicing in the United States alone. Internists are united by their dedication to the art of observation and the application of the latest medical science to the care of patients. For this reason, many medical school graduates choose to complete a residency in internal medicine. In fact, it’s required if you want to become a cardiologist, oncologist, and many other types of specialist physicians. Because the training is more general, internists aren’t typically limited to practicing in one setting and can change focus several times in their careers depending on their interests. This provides physicians who choose to go into internal medicine a great deal of flexibility when designing their careers.</p>
<h3>What types of jobs can you get as an internal medicine physician?</h3>
<p>The types of job you can have as an internist are limited only by your imagination! Internists practice in hospitals, primary care clinics, and nursing homes. Some even do house calls, run rural clinics, work in emergency departments, or work exclusively in telehealth care. Internists can practice in academic settings or community and private practice settings. Because of their general training, they are also highly sought after in a <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/4-great-but-unexpected-health-and-medical-career-paths/">variety of non-clinical positions</a> as hospital administrators, medical directors, start-up consultants, and pharmaceutical researchers. While there are numerous non-clinical jobs available to internists, many are content to practice medicine full-time.</p>
<h3>How to decide if internal medicine is right for you</h3>
<p>Once you’re in medical school, your clinical clerkships, mentors, and professors are the best sources of information to decide if a career in internal medicine is right for you. If you’re undecided on a specialty, take elective courses or join interest groups to help narrow down your choices. Before medical school, asking to shadow an internal medicine physician can be a great way to get familiar with what they do. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions (or <a href="https://www.lecturio.com/blog/medical/specialty-spotlight-why-should-i-choose-internal-medicine/">check out an interview</a>) to get honest insight into what the daily job of an IM physician is like. It may be beneficial to shadow multiple internists, especially those practicing in different specialties, to get a better picture of what opportunities are available to you.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-find-right-health-sciences-field-you/">Exploring the Health Sciences: How to Find the Right Field For You</a></p>
<p>Becoming a physician is a long but rewarding journey. Try to get as much exposure to medicine as possible before applying to medical school, either by working in the health care field or shadowing a doctor. Combined with a rigorous course of study in college, this is a great first step to deciding if a career in medicine in general, or internal medicine more specifically, is truly right for you.</p>
<p><strong>Looking for the right school to start your health care journey? Check out our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/tags/featured-health-colleges/">featured health college lists</a> to find the best of the best across the country. </strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/important-campus-visit-questions-for-prospective-health-students-to-ask/Important Campus Visit Questions for Prospective Health Students to Ask2024-03-29T11:43:29.759231-04:00Alyssa Montanez<p>With the academic year starting up again, it’s a great time to go on college visits. Students can gain insight into their schools of interest by visiting campus and asking questions in person or virtually. For students interested in health and medicine, inquiries often involve the likelihood of attaining a research position as an undergraduate or the proximity of an acclaimed medical school. If this sounds like you, peruse this list of unique questions and keep it handy for your next campus visit.</p>
<h2>Questions to ask students </h2>
<p>Nothing’s better than getting firsthand accounts from the people whose shoes you’ll be in eventually. Whether it’s a random student or a tour guide, here are the questions you’ll want to ask.</p>
<h3>What is the admission process like for health students?</h3>
<p>If you intend to apply to highly competitive <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/ask-experts/what-bsmd-program/">programs like BS/MD</a> (which are increasing in popularity), it’s best to know if the odds are in your favor. Find out how many students apply on average, how many are admitted to the program, and what the school is looking for in an ideal applicant. Questions like these can help you determine if you’re a strong candidate while helping you identify your weaker areas.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-get-accepted-direct-medical-program/"><strong>How to Get Accepted to a Direct Medical Program</strong></a></p>
<h3>Are classes mostly discussion or lecture based?</h3>
<p>Based on your learning style, you may thrive in an environment that encourages open discussion and debates. In contrast, if you’re a more reserved learner, you may not want to enroll in a class that includes a Socratic circle. Knowing your options can significantly improve your enthusiasm for class and improve your readiness to learn.</p>
<h3>Does your institution offer a work-study program?</h3>
<p>Though not all colleges and universities offer work-study, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask. You could possibly assist an acclaimed professor while paying off your tuition, gaining work experience, and expanding your résumé—all while working on or near campus. What more could a future medical student ask for?</p>
<h3>What clubs or other opportunities exist for community service?</h3>
<p>This is a big one, especially if you want to apply to medical school in the future. Having volunteer and community service hours can significantly <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/prepping-professional-school/how-be-competitive-med-school-applicant/">set you apart from other applicants</a> and boost your résumé. This also gives leeway to possibly start your own club and show off your networking and leadership skills.</p>
<h3>How’s the Wi-Fi?</h3>
<p>This question is mundane but oh so important. Ask students about the internet on campus, how reliable it is, and if they’ve encountered any persistent problems. A wimpy connection shouldn’t get in your way of earning an A.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/admission/blog/10-uncommon-questions-to-ask-in-your-college-search/"><strong>10 Uncommon Questions to Ask in Your College Search</strong></a></p>
<h2>Questions to ask admission representatives</h2>
<p>Representatives are an omniscient presence on campus, so don’t shy away from asking them specific questions. Consider the following…</p>
<h3>Are there any fields or specialties that are underrepresented at this school?</h3>
<p>This may sound like a notable dealbreaker; however, it could benefit you. Many institutions want a well-rounded student body or graduating class, meaning if your intended major or field is underrepresented, your likelihood of admittance could increase in hopes of filling that criterion.</p>
<h3>Are the libraries open 24 hours a day?</h3>
<p>You never want to see the words “Sorry, we’re closed” at 8:00 pm when you have a rough draft in process and the paper is due the next morning. Returning to your dorm might mean having to listen to your roommate’s bedtime playlist. Simple things like this are often overlooked, so take into consideration whether you need the reassurance of a 24-hour library or other quiet study area on campus.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/video-college-study-spots/">Video: What's the Best College Study Spot?</a></p>
<h3>What internships are available throughout my time at this school?</h3>
<p>Internships and <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/articles/internships-co-ops/experiential-learning-key-great-post-college-jobs/">experiential learning</a> are so important to health and medicine students. Be sure to specify if available positions are affiliated with the school, as this can decrease competition and increase your chances of landing them. Internships are also incredible opportunities to network. Who knows—after you graduate, your internship experience could be the reason you were hired for a job over another applicant. </p>
<h3>Are there special advising services for prospective medical students?</h3>
<p>Students need guidance navigating medical school admission and/or alternative employment opportunities. Be sure to ask about campus resources or special programs for those who want to attend medical or graduate school. Sometimes colleges have affiliated medical schools that guarantee admittance if you’ve attended their partner school and concurrent programs. </p>
<h3>What percentage of students participate in research projects?</h3>
<p>Getting involved in <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/science-and-engineering/ask-experts/how-can-i-get-involved-student-faculty-research-undergrad/">research as an undergraduate</a> can open doors to many accolades that can help you extensively as a medical student and in your postgraduate endeavors. Research also gives you the opportunity to scientifically explore and delve deeper into a topic of personal interest, regardless of whether if it’s a project conducted by an existing group, professor, or independent. Ask about opportunities at your schools of interest and how many students are eligible to participate.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/health-medicine/articles/prepping-professional-school/questions-ask-your-future-medical-school/">Questions to Ask Your Future Medical School</a></p>
<p>At the end of the day, be sure to make the most of your campus visits and ask as many questions as you can. After all, you’re trying to find your new home away from home to study health and medicine. Connect with current students and engage with admission counselors and reps to get a broad scope of the schools and programs you’re interested in. Take this time to really consider what you’re primarily looking for in your higher education to set you up for the next successful chapter of your life.</p>
<p><strong>Still looking for your best-fit college to study medicine? Check out our </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/profiles/health-and-medicine/"><strong>featured health school profiles</strong></a><strong> and request more information quickly and easily!</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/health-medicine/blog/how-to-make-studying-health-sciences-more-fun/How to Make Studying Health Sciences More Fun2024-03-29T11:43:29.757447-04:00Nivashini Saravanakumar<p>Health Science programs prepare students to work in a variety of health-related jobs and careers. Students in these majors typically value the quality of health care, disease prevention, and health promotion to improve the lives of their future communities. However, the process of becoming a health care provider with this foundation can be quite challenging. Studying any subject can be hard, but it’s important to stay motivated and positive while you’re learning. Although you may find studying the Health Sciences to be challenging and tedious at times, there are many ways to make it more interesting. Here are just a few.</p>
<h2>Read your notes out loud</h2>
<p>To make studying Health Science more fun <em>and</em> effective, I like to read my notes out loud. Many science classes require a good amount of reading every week. With this workload, it gets hard to stay focused and interested in the content. The act of saying words out loud increases my ability to make sense of the content and remember it. A study done by Noah D. Forrin and Colin M. MacLeod shows the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09658211.2017.1383434">memory advantage of hearing your own voice</a> in your head. The 95 students in the subject group were given the option of reading aloud, reading quietly, listening to recordings of others, or listening to a recording of themselves. Reading aloud had the greatest influence on memory recall, indicating that the words' impact stemmed from both hearing and saying them. This is due to a phenomenon known as the “production effect,” which happens when a word said aloud produces a memorable experience. Long-term memory is further aided by the cognitive process of encoding words into voice. Additionally, recall was higher among pupils with recordings of their own voices. This shows that hearing your voice offers a distinct stimulation of self-recognition, triggering a stronger memory.</p>
<h2>Find a tutor and connect with professors</h2>
<p>One of the greatest resources Health Science majors have access to but don’t often turn to are tutors. It’s obvious that students who have trouble understanding coursework should seek help from others who are experienced in it, but tutoring is usually the least used tool. Studying with another person is always going to be more fun than studying alone, so don’t overlook the values of a tutor beyond the academic help. There are many other resources designed to assist you in your studies and help you reach your full potential. One such resource many schools offer is a platform called “Ask A Professor,” which helps facilitate an easy way for students to ask their professors important questions and communicate their thoughts clearly and concisely. In addition, sending an email provides a record of communication, and professors can reply at their convenience. As a bonus, developing good digital communication skills will serve you well in school and your professional career. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/video-all-things-office-hours/"><strong>Video: Taking Advantage of Your Professors' Office Hours</strong></a></p>
<h2>Romanticize and idealize your studies</h2>
<p>It’s no secret that studying can be difficult and boring. Whether it involves reading several chapters, taking notes, or answering questions, the process is tedious. <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/5-inspired-tips-to-help-romanticize-your-studies/">So romanticize it</a>! By idealizing your studying, it’ll be easier to find motivation to keep studying, resulting in better grades and test scores. To start, the design of your study space will significantly impact your mood, whether it be a chair in the corner of your room or a certain desk arrangement. Your study environment should reflect a positive mood to create a positive association with studying! Keep fragrant items nearby to heighten that cozy sensation. Rosemary and Eucalyptus are my personal favorites, and they’re known to have positive effects on brain function. There are also several <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/top-5-ambience-playlists-soundtrack-your-studies/">playlists on Spotify and YouTube</a> that can aid focus. Your choice of music depends on the mood you want to create. For instance, I find the <em>Harry Potter</em> theme music and lo-fi help me write much more effectively. I concentrate on the work at hand and the background music while the world around me becomes hazy. On YouTube, there are also a ton of "learn with me" live videos that last anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours. These enable you to have a virtual study companion to help you stay motivated and focused while doing your own assignments.</p>
<h3>Bonus tip: Take breaks!</h3>
<p>Keep in mind, if you’re invested in the Health Sciences, studying should be somewhat enjoyable. These recommendations combined with efficient study techniques might be helpful, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself to complete all your tasks at once. While being rigorous with your schedule is a good thing, <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/the-best-quick-study-break-ideas/1920/">taking breaks is crucial</a>. Breaks let your mind rest and process the information passively.<strong> </strong>The effective pauses in productivity allow you the mental room to unwind rather than overstimulate yourself. Go for a little stroll to clear your head or do some meditation to calm your anxious thoughts. It’s <a href="https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/study-breaks-stress-busters#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20taking%20purposeful,%E2%80%9D%20(see%20the%20research).">recommended to take breaks </a>that are spread out evenly throughout your study period. Try taking a five-minute break after 30 uninterrupted minutes of work, or take a 20-minute break after working for an hour without interruption.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/4-great-podcasts-listen-your-study-breaks/"><strong>4 Interesting Podcasts to Listen to on Your Study Breaks</strong></a></p>
<p>The sheer quantity of material you must recall for Health Sciences courses may make studying seem daunting, but that doesn't mean it has to be miserable. If you want to make studying more enjoyable, these techniques can assist in making this a reality. You have a lot of flexibility as a student, especially in college, to choose how and when you study. To make it more fun, try planning your time in a way that’s most suited and effective for your chosen study techniques.</p>
<p><strong>For more ways to ramp up your academic prowess, check out <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/study-smarter/our-best-advice-homework-studying-and-tests/">Our Best Advice for Homework, Studying, and Tests</a>. </strong></p>