Zander Machines, designer by Dr. Gustav Zander

Considering that 64% of Americans are overweight (Center of Disease Control), it’s understandable that millions of Americans are taking efforts to maintain a healthy body weight.  While diets may seem like they’ve become popular in the last 50 years, you may be surprised to learn that people have been dieting since the 1800s!  For the next few days, we will explore diet fads from the 1800s, 1900s, and the millennium.

Diet Fads from the 1800s:

• Vinegar Diet. How would you like to eat food that had been soaked in vinegar?  That’s exactly what the British poet, Lord Byron, did and reportedly lost 60 pounds by this simple method.  There is speculations among historians whether he had an eating disorder.
• Graham’s Diet. The creator of the Graham Cracker, Sylvester Graham was a Presbyterian minister with strong opinions on diet.  He taught his followers, “Grahamites,” to avoid coffee, alcohol, tea, spices, and meat.  Instead, they subsisted on a diet of pure water, fresh fruits and vegetables, high fiber foods, and whole wheat.  Strange, one might have thought their diet would have been based on graham crackers…
• Zander Machines. The Swedish doctor, Dr. Gustav Zander, developed a peculiar concept to lose weight that involved wrapping one’s body in a vibrating strap, a method that can be seen in old movies.
• Banting Diet. The first popular diet book was called “Letter on Corpulence” and written by an English casket maker named William Banting who battled with his weight.  His diet concept included eating dry toast, lean meats, unsweetened fruit, and green vegetables.

While some of these concepts are still practiced today, many further developments have been made on diets since the 1800s.  If you’re looking to establish a diet routine, a certified nutritionist or dietitian can help you construct a diet that will take into consideration your eating, exercise, and weight loss goals.  Nutritionists with online degrees can help you achieve optimum health.  Find a nutritionist in your area at http://www.findanutritionist.com/.

If you were to choose one of these diet fads from the 1800s, which would it be?  Graham’s Diet would be my choice.

Stay tuned for Diet Fads from the 1900s!

History of Dieting: Questionable Diet Fads from the 1900s
History of Dieting: Today’s Diet Fads
Source Diet Fads: Some Smart, Some Scary

Tiger Wood’s Nike Commercial After the News Hit the Fan

When news of Tiger Woods’ scandalous affairs hit the media, he had held the position of highest-paid athlete worldwide for several years running.  Much of this income was derived from multi-million dollar sponsorships from large corporate conglomerates such as Nike, Buick, and AT&T.  After his wholesome, role-model personal and professional image was tarnished as the news hit the fan, there were those who thought that it wouldn’t have an effect on his endorsements.  Unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

The Impact of Infidelity: Tiger Woods

Despite the public apology for his infidelity, celebrity endorsement deals with Gatorate, AT&T, and Accenture fell through.  While he retained his endorsement contracts with Gillette, Tag Heuer, and Louis Vuitton, he was taken out of the limelight in their campaigns.  Woods’ infidelity cost him his marriage and $12 billion worth of endorsements.

The Impact of Infidelity: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault in 2003 in an adulterous encounter with another woman, leading to trouble with the law and the loss of two endorsement deals.  In spite of a public apology and settling the case, both Nutella and McDonald’s allowed their multi-million dollar contracts with Bryant to expire.

Considering the tremendous loss that infidelity can have both personally and professionally, investing in marriage therapy can be worth its weight in gold.  Therapy can help partners work through issues, learn to communicate and clearly express their needs, and resolve conflict, potentially preventing embarrassing public scandals, lost celebrity endorsements, and divorce.

Natural Home Remedy #1: Duct Tape

Duct tape has been known to encourage healing of warts and is an excellent bandage option for wounds.

Natural Home Remedy #2: Raw Honey

Honey is a great tool to soothe a sore throat when mixed in with warm water and some lemon.  It has also been used as an antiseptic to relieve burns and even clean wounds.

Natural Home Remedy #3: Potatoes

Have a headache?  Many believe that when applied to one’s forehead, a cut potato can help relieve a headache.  Additionally, a potato-peel bandage can help soothe burns.

Natural Home Remedy #4: Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibiotic, used to assist victims of the plague, and in our day, to prevent anthrax.

Natural Home Remedy #5: Mouthwash

Not only will mouthwash kill germs in the mouth, but can serve as a topical antiseptic for cuts and even fungus.

Natural Home Remedy #6: Vinegar

Vinegar is an effective home remedy for burn and sunburn relief, sinus congestion, store throats, and even stomach aches.

Natural Home Remedy 7: Aspirin

Aspirin pills have proved helpful when rubbed over a moist bee sting or mosquito bite, effectively reducing swelling and subduing the pain.

Disclaimer: Of course, if you’re experiencing a heart attack or have a bone sticking out of your arm, it’s critical to call a doctor and seek medical assistance.  That said, minor illnesses and injuries can be significant improved by household items such as these.  There are many individuals who go back to college to study alternative medicine, which includes naturopathy and a study of herbs.

Source: A First Aid Kit for TV’s Macgyver

Skip the sunscreen and you could look like this.

While you’re enjoying the heat this weekend, remember that the sun is most powerful and potent between 10am and 2pm, so wear a hat and don’t forget your sunscreen!  If you do get a sunburn this weekend from staying in the sun too long, here are some proven natural first aid remedies for sunburns:

• Natural First Aid Remedy for Sunburns: Aloe Vera

  Aloe vera has a cooling effect and helps encourage healing.  Refrigerate your aloe, then open the stalk, exposing the gel-like substance inside, and put directly on the burn.  You can purchase an aloe vera plant from your local nursery, or cooling gel from the drug store.

• Natural First Aid Remedy for Sunburns: Witch Hazel

  Put some witch hazel on a cold compress and apply to the sunburned area.  Witch hazel is available at your local drug store for a few dollars.

• Natural First Aid Remedy for Sunburns: Lavender Essential Oil

  Lavender essential oil, mixed with water, will help reduce the pain and itching when poured over the sunburned area.  Lavender essential oil can be purchased from a massage therapist.

For individuals who enjoy helping and healing, consider a career as a Physician’s Assistant.  Physician’s Assistants (PA) work for urgent care facilities, among others, and receive training to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health related services.  Requiring much less education than a doctor, becoming a PA will allow you to work with people everyday and help them achieve optimal health.

Of course an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.  To prevent needing natural first aid remedies for sunburns, don’t forget the sunscreen!

Can 3D glasses make you sick? Photo c/o 3Dsports.com

In recent weeks, Toy Story 3 and The Last Airbender were released in 3D, and millions of people flocked to the theater to see these blockbusters enhanced.  Unfortunately, 3D movies aren’t always fun and games with many reports of sickness ensuing after attending a 3D film.  Thousands of 3D glasses that weren’t cleaned properly between uses were confiscated recently by the Italian Ministry of Health.

Good Housekeeping Magazine conducted a recent study which revealed how 3D glasses are teeming with germs that can cause food poisoning, skin infections, conjunctivitis, sepsis, and pneumonia.  One pair of glasses that was tested from the east coast had germs that could cause staph infection.  The magazine’s editor-in-chief Rosemary Ellis said, “We’re not saying that these glasses will make you sick, but kids touch the glasses, touch their eyes and mouths — the potential is there,” she adds.

If you’re concerned about the potential to get sick at the theater, doctors say the risk potential is low.  That said, you can take matters into your own hands and sanitize your own glasses with disinfectant wipes.  The Good Housekeeping report found that 95% of the germs were eliminated with the use of alcohol wipes.  Soap and water or hand sanitizer can also be effective in cleaning 3D glasses and preventing illness.

Public health professionals provide healthy resources that promote healthy habits and lifestyles and prevent illness and disease associated with 3D movies.

Prevent Headaches in a 3D Movie

Source: Why You Feel Sick After a 3D Movie

Michael Phelps and Kelloggs

During the Summer 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Michael Phelps set a world record by winning eight Olympic gold medals, and became one of the most decorated Olympians in history with a total of 14 medals.  When Phelps was pictured in a British tabloid in 2009 smoking a marijuana pipe, it sparked controversy and debate the world over.  As a result, Kellogg’s endorsement with Phelps was not renewed.  Additionally, Phelps was not allowed to compete for three months or receive financial support from USA Swimming because of his drug-related actions that led the organization to think he was a less than worthy role model.

Kate Moss and Chanel, Burberry, and H&M

Kate Moss is a renown supermodel from the UK whose face has graced hundreds of magazine covers worldwide.  When the Daily Mirror publicized photos of Moss snorting cocaine with her boyfriend in 2005, it had a big impact on several key endorsements.  Chanel chose not to renew her contract, Burberry cancelled a campaign featuring Moss, and H&M, an organization actively involved with drug prevention, later ended the relationship with her out of concerns for damaging their reputation.

Floyd Landis and Pohonak

Winner of the 2006 Tour de France, American cyclist Floyd Landis was on the top of the world.  Shortly after his victory, it was discovered that Landis had used a performance enhancing steroid called synthetic testosterone during the competition which led to the revoking of his title, $3 million from a terminated sponsorship with Phonak, another $2 million in lost endorsements, and $4 of prospective endorsements from various manufacturers and products.

How these celebrities’ lives and endorsements may have been different from the influence of an addictions counsel.  Addictions counselors work with people who have drug addictions and help them through counseling and rehab programs.  To become an addictions counselor, prospective students can receive their necessary education through online degrees and prepare for a rewarding career.  With an average of 12.8 million Americans that have indulged in drug use, the demand for addictions counselors is increasing.

In recent weeks, the animated blockbuster Toy Story 3 was released in 3D, and millions of people flocked to the theater to see the Disney film enhanced.  Unfortunately, 3D movies aren’t always fun and games with many reports of sickness ensuing after attending a 3D film.

Many movie-goers experience headaches and blurred vision both during and after watching a movie in 3D due to eye strain.  In real life when an object comes towards you the eye converges (moves inward), following its path, and accommodates or adjusts the lens shape in order to keep the object in focus.  During a 3D movie, as your eyes attempt to follow the objects that leap off the screen, they are unable to accommodate in an effort to keep focused on the screen.  It is this abnormal behavior that causes headaches and blurred vision.  This effect has been dubbed the “vergence accommodation conflict” by the University of California Berkley.

Prevent Headaches in a 3D Movie

Thanks to innovative technology, many theaters have newer equipment that uses one projector, rather than the two that was used originally.  The single projector alternates 144 frames per second between right eye and left eye images which helps to minimize the effect that causes headaches.

To prevent headaches and blurred vision in a 3D movie, avoid theaters that use the older stereoscopic red and blue glasses which may play a role in headaches and keep your eye on the focused images on the screen.

For more tips on preventing headaches and blurred vision, contact an optometrist eye doctor.

Source: Why You Feel Sick After a 3D Movie

Does acupuncture hurt?

Dr. Adam Chen: A properly trained acupuncturist will place a needle gently so that it is painless, or the pain is no worse than a mosquito bite.

What is acupuncture good for?

Dr. Chen: According to practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is an important therapy for every person’s overall well-being. They use it for the prevention and treatment of a long list of medical conditions including migraines, insomnia, stress, depression, fertility issues, pain, neurological conditions and shingles, as well as drug, alcohol and smoking addictions.

How does acupuncture work?

Dr. Chen: The basis of acupuncture is simple. In Chinese medicine, it’s believed that in a healthy body, energy flows through channels smoothly. If that energy flow is disrupted, the person may become ill or suffer from pain. Each person’s body has more than 300 acu-points where energy flow can be disrupted. Acupuncturists determine the disruptions by taking the patient’s pulse, reading his or her tongue and feeling his or her muscle tone. Needles are placed at the disrupted acu-points to resume the energy flow, which is thought to improve the patient’s well-being.

My College and Careers offers post-secondary acupuncture programs.  For more information, click here!

Ash from Iceland volcano halts European travel

So far 2010 has seen serious disasters that have debilitated a nation, halted European air travel, and left a million people homeless.  Here are some of the biggest natural disasters that affected the planet so far in 2010.

• 7.0 quake hits Haiti; ‘Serious loss of life expected.’ | 230,000 dead
• Chile reels from 8.8 earthquake | 700 dead
• China Earthquake: 6.9 Quake Strikes Qinghai Province | 1100 dead
• Volcanic ash from Iceland halts flights in Northern Europe | 17,000 flights canceled, tens of thousands stranded

Since the devastation of the recent awe inspiring earthquakes, people everywhere have been looking for opportunities to help.  There are trained professionals who have received the necessary degrees and training who are ready to pick up the pieces after a major natural disasters and are among the first on site after disaster strikes.  These everyday heroes include Emergency Management Specialists, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics, and Law Enforcement.

Emergency Management Specialist

An Emergency Management Specialist helps plan for emergencies before they happen and provide disaster relief after a natural disaster, wartime or technological disaster, or hostage situation.  Should disaster strike, these professionals help to coordinate relief response in a timely manner, ensuring that the victims receive basic living essentials, such as clean water, food, housing, sanitation, and first aid.

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

Emergency Responders in Haiti. Photo c/o Margaret Aguirre, International Medical Corps.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics provide emergency care, and transport the injured to a medical facility to receive appropriate care.  Due to their medical training, EMTs are qualified to diagnose a patient’s injuries on site, provide first aid treatment, and manage cardiac, trauma, and respiratory emergencies.

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement play a critical role after a natural disaster in keeping order during the chaos that ensues in an emergency.  Law Enforcement are charged with the responsibility to preserve life and property, a critical role in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

If you have felt a need to make a difference in the aftermath of these terrible natural disasters, consider enrolling in a program and working towards a career as an Emergency Management Specialist, EMT and Paramedic, or Law Enforcement.  Your career will make a difference.

Jamie Oliver, UK chef and TV personality, is stirring up awareness about nutrition and health in America with his Food Revolution USA campaign.  Jamie’s goal is to improve the quality of food the Americans consume, make better food available in schools, and save America’s cooking skills.  On his show, Food Revolution, Jamie is focusing efforts in Huntington, West Virginia, the most obese city in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Jamie Oliver isn’t the only one who thinks American nutrition needs a turnaround.  The First Lady, Michelle Obama is at the helm of the initiative “Let’s Move”, whose purpose it is to eradicate childhood obesity in America.  There are four main components in the “Let’s Move” initiative:

1. Help parents make healthier choices for their families
2. Healthier foods in the schools
3. Access and affordability of healthy foods
4. Increased physical activity for our kids

For people passionate about facilitating a healthier tomorrow for America, there are ways to participate on a grass roots level.

Mrs. O has suggested small changes that Americans can instigate: smaller portion sizes, saving desserts for the weekend, and replacing sugar-laden drinks with water, milk, and fresh-squeezed juice.  “The point is that small changes can make a difference,” Obama told Larry King.

Jamie Oliver encourages those who want to engage in the Food Revolution to sign his petition, learn to cook and share your skills with family and fiends, while becoming aware of what’s in your food.  “We need to start cooking again,” says Oliver, “to make sure our children don’t grow up on a diet of processed food, at school or at home, and so they won’t have to battle obesity and diet-related illnesses when they grow up.”

You can make a difference as well.  Programs in Nutrition, Cooking and Culinary Arts, Exercise, and Health and Wellness can give you additional education and resources to make a professional impact on the health of the nation.  For more information on educational programs available, visit www.mycollegesandcareers.com.

Together we can bring about a healthier America!

“Patients who received chiropractic or physical therapy had lower total health care costs and were less likely to have surgery than demographically similar Wellmark members who did not receive such services, and overall, 89 percent of all patients receiving physical medicine services reported improvement of at least 30 percent within 30 days.”

Read more here.

Has chiropractic work or physical therapy benefited your life? Do share below in the comments!

When did you become interested in nursing?

I became interested in nursing after my freshman year of college. I was Pre-Med and the fit just didn’t seem right for my long term goals. I knew I wanted to be a mom, but at the same time, I wanted to have a career. I love that nursing will afford me the opportunity to identify with something outside of mothering. Also, after a few years of work experience, I plan to go back to school and get my master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner, or possibly even get my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. I love that I have these choices!

What is your favorite part of being an RN?

I love that I am always learning! It can be frustrating at times to not know everything, but the learning and growth can be so rewarding because you really see the impact in people’s lives! As a nurse you get to be with your patients during some of their most vulnerable times–being a part of that and helping them through the process of healing, loss, whatever their situation may be is really fulfilling.

What has been particularly memorable about your job now or nursing school?

I can’t pinpoint one single patient. You see everything in nursing! Really, everything.

“You see everything in nursing! Really, everything.”

I love the growth that I have seen in myself throughout nursing school, and even now as a RN- I learn something new each day, and have so much left to learn. I also love knowing that I really helped someone in my day.

What is the “NCLEX-PN” exam?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) are required to take the NCLEX-PN exam in order to become licensed. Each state has different standards that it requires for certified Registered Nurses.

• A strong sense of right and wrong
• Strong work ethic
• Ability to think on your feet
• Flexibility
• Organization!

What is something most don’t realize about nursing?

It’s a lot of work!

Thanks Becky! Best wishes to you in all of your endeavors!

For more information about nursing degrees and careers, visit My Colleges and Careers.

Fun Fact: Married with two children, Hyland just completed her first triathlon last weekend. No big deal at all…

What made you interested in nursing?

My grandma was a Labor and Delivery nurse and growing up, my family and I always talked with her about her career which made me very interested in health care.  As I got older, I recognized I really enjoyed working with and helping people and I was particularly keen on the variety of opportunities and flexibility within the world of nursing.

What are your typical daily responsibilities as a nurse?

Currently I work as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with two pediatrician’s in a pediatric office. I work completely autonomously in the care of children with ages ranging from birth – 21 years. My responsibilities include baby/child/teenage check-up’s and sports physicals, diagnosing and treating illnesses, writing prescriptions, and ordering and interpreting labs, x-rays and other tests.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Every area of nursing has its pros and cons, with unforgettable patients in each setting.

What are some of the different levels of training and certification involved in the nursing field?

There are a variety of of training and certifications in the nursing field which one of the reasons nursing is so appealing to me.  I received my BSN as a registered nurse (RN) and then completed a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics (PNP).

What are some misconceptions about nursing?

The only misconception about nursing that comes to mind is that it’s only for women. I have worked with a lot of men (particularly in the ICU settings) and they are amazing nurses: patients and families love them.  Nursing is a great career that is flexible, in high demand and you can make great money- male or female.

What are some personality traits that work well in nursing?

Personality traits that work well in nursing include being detail-oriented, compassionate, a good listener, multi-tasker, and the ability to work well with people.

What is something that most people don’t know about nurses?

Most people don’t realize how hard nurses work: it is physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging at times, but also well worth it.

Most people don’t realize how hard nurses work: it is physically, emotionally and mentally challenging at times but also well worth it.

Thank you SueAnn! We realize you are doing phenomenal things in nursing, and wish you continued success!

For more information about careers in nursing, visit My Colleges and Careers.

Pharmacy Technician

Your pharmacist is the most important person of your health care team post surgery. Why? Because even though the doctor can diagnose you, the surgeon can slice you and the nurse can nurture you, but  the thing that is really going to take away the pain post surgery is tiny and be taken every 4 hours with water: your pain meds. Not a smile for Nurse Jennifer as she props up your pillow, not the precise cut of the fifteen blade, it’s the pills people. The perfect stepping-stone position on your way to becoming a pharmacist is a pharmacist technician. As a pharmacist technician you act as the right hand of the pharmacist. A career in the pharmacy field gets a jumpstart working as a pharmacist technician. It requires minimal training and is the perfect way to get your foot in the door in the field.

What does a Pharmacist Technician Do?

• Receive and verify prescriptions both manually and electronically.
• Retrieve, count, poor, weigh, measure and mix the medication.
• Establish and maintain patient records, prepare insurance forms.
• Stock and take inventory of medications within pharmacy.

Perks: Pharmacy Technician

Technicians work the same hours that Pharmacists work. Many times those hours are regular business hours with weekends off.

There is plenty of room for advancement to supervisor, specialty positions or sales.

Many employers pay for technicians to obtain training and education as well as paying for them to take the accreditation test.

Preparation: Pharmacy Technician

Formal pharmacy technician education programs require classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses. Many training programs include internships, in which students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies. After completion, students receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate’s degree, depending on the program. (Source BLS). Accreditation is also a big plus. Technicians can become certified by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians.

Personality Profile: Pharmacy Technician

Customer service skills are a must because you will be working all types of different people including patients, pharmacists, doctors, nurses and sales reps. Math skill and attention to detail are crucial. A miscounted number or an incorrect dosage can kill someone. Straight up kill someone!

• By the Numbers: Pharmacy Technician

• Pharmacy technicians held about 285,000 jobs in 2006.
• About 71 percent of jobs were in retail pharmacies, either independently owned or part of a drugstore chain, grocery store, department store, or mass retailer.
• About 18 percent of jobs were in hospitals and a small proportion was in mail-order and Internet pharmacies, offices of physicians, pharmaceutical wholesalers, and the Federal Government.
• Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average.

Show Me the Money: Pharmacy Technician Salary

Median hourly earnings of wage-and-salary pharmacy technicians in May 2006 were $12.32. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.10 and $14.92. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.56, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $17.65.

Sonogrpahy Careers

Sonography, or ultrasonography is using  sound waves to produce images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. Layman’s terms: looking at your insides. Sonography is an alternative to radiology, which has been used for years to show pregnant moms their little nuggets.  Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects the images that are photographed and examined by doctors. From these photographs physicians can diagnose patients.

By the Numbers

• More than half of all sonographers were employed by hospitals, and most of the rest were employed by offices of physicians, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and mobile imaging services.
• Diagnostic medical sonographers held about 46,000 jobs in 2006.
• Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by about 19 percent through 2016—faster than the average for all occupations—as the population ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology.

Preparation

Sonographers may train in hospitals, vocational-technical institutions, colleges and universities; employers prefer those who trained in accredited programs and who are registered. Colleges and universities offer formal training in both 2- and 4-year programs, culminating in an associate or a bachelor’s degree. Two-year programs are the most common.

Personality Profile

Hands and eyes would be great. Just teasing, but seriously hand-eye coordination is necessary to get good images. An affection or healthy tolerance for math and sciences is prime.  People who go into sonography have to participate in continuting education. As technology advances and better images are produced, sonographers must learn about these new techniques and programs.

Perks

• Faster-than-average employment growth is expected.
• Sonography will likely become more popular and more in demand as people search for safer alternatives to radiology.
• Sonography doesn’t have the radioactive side effects taht radiology comes with.

Interesting Tidbit

Different specialities withing sonogrpahy include: Echocardiography (blood flow and blood vessels), Neurosonology (brain and spinal cord) and Gynecology (you guessed it, looking at little baby nuggets in the womb).

Show me the money

Annual earnings differed slightly between doctors’ offices and hospitals in 2002, averaging $50,390 and $47,530 respectively. The median overall earnings for diagnostic medical sonographers were $48,660. The highest and lowest ten percent earned $66,680 and $35,800 respectively, while the middle half made between $41,420 and $56,020.

Phlebotomists.

OK so they don’t exactly suck blood from people’s necks but they do collect it to be tested for medical purposes. Totally similar right? No? I really wanted to use this metaphor so just indulge me.

What is phlebotomy?

It is a skill employed by physicians and many professionals in the medical field including nurses, medical assistants, paramedics, cardiac physiologists (UK) and clinical laboratory scientists. While all of these people have this skill sometimes the workload of doctors and nurses in relieved by people who strictly collect blood call phlebotomists. Activities of the job include drawing blood from patients or donors, verifying records, taking vital signs and testing blood samples.

Preparation

Phlebotomiest must be 18 and have a high school diploma. Most train for 4 months to a year at a career center or trade school and the biggest requirement is being comfortable with blood. You either got it or you don’t in that regard! After that certification classes are required. They usually run 6 weeks and students can be certified by a number of agencies including the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the American Association of Medical Personnel (AAMP), the National Credentialing Agency (NCA)and the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)

Perks

The demand for phlebotomists is high and expected to grow so finding a job will be easy.

Flexibility is a great part of the job because you can work lots of hours or or for short periods of time by contract.

By the Numbers

Phlebotomists fall are considered health care support workers, and last year there were about 185,000 in the workplace.

Interesting Tidbit

The names of common methods for drawing blood include venipuncture, butterfly, fingerstick, healstick and capillary puncture.

Photo: L.A. Times

The issue is so deep, it has made it all the way to Congress, where today’s L.A. Times’ report says that lawmakers are bickering whether or not to centralize a bill that would hold restaurant chains with 20 establishments or more responsible for listing nutrition information. If passed, writes the Times, local governments would still be able to pass their own laws for single restaurants and smaller chains.

However, the larger restaurant chains feel attacked that smaller establishments would not be held to the same criteria. “A pizza is a pizza no matter where it is purchased,” said Steve Carley, chief executive of El Pollo Loco, the Costa Mesa chicken chain. “If this is truly about nutrition and obesity, it is intellectually dishonest to have some restaurants disclose nutritional information and others not.”

Whether the law passes or not, for the health-conscious choosing to enter the catering or restaurant career world, you’ll only become even more vigilant about health and overall consumption (a previous My Colleges & Careers post explains this concept further).

NATURE OF THE WORK

From Ambulatory care to Urology, there is something under the umbrella of nursing that could be right for you. Registered nurses (RNs) tasks include everything from recording patients’ medical histories and symptoms, educating patients on various medical conditions, providing support to patients’ family member, operating medical machinery, or administering medications.

RNs can specialize in various areas of patient care, like operating room nurses who assist surgeons, or according to specific health conditions, like diabetes management nurses. Other RNs specialize working with one or more organs or body systems (like dermatology nurses), or with a specific population demographic (like pediatric nurses who work with children).

Some RNs combine specialties. For example, a ‘pediatric oncology‘ nurse deals with children who have cancer.

Most RNs work as staff nurses as members of a team providing critical health care. Some RNs choose to become advanced practice nurses, who work independently or in collaboration with physicians. Examples include nurse anesthetists (who provide anesthesia and related care before and after surgical or other procedures) or nurse practitioners (who serve as primary and specialty care providers to patients).

Some nursing careers are limited in direct patient care yet still require an RN license. Some examples include forensics nurses (who participate in the scientific investigation of treatments), nurse administrators, (who supervise medical staff and maintain inventory), or nurse educators (who develop and deliver educational programs and curricula).

Some nurses move into the business management side of health care. In management, nurses can advance from assistant unit manger or head nurse to more senior-level administrative, which more often require a further graduate or advanced degree in nursing or health services administration.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor’s of science degree (BSN), an associate degree (ADN), and a diploma from an approved nursing program. Nurses most commonly enter the occupation by completing an associate degree or bachelor’s degree program. Prospective nurses then must complete a national licensing examination in order to obtain a nursing license. Further training or education can qualify nurses to work in specialty areas, and improve advancement opportunities.

Advanced practice nursing specialties require at least a master’s degree. Most programs require a BSN for admission and involve 2 years of full-time study. Furthermore, some graduate programs require at least 1 to 2 years of clinical experience as an RN for admission.

All nursing education programs include classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other health care facilities. Prospective students can expect to take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and nursing. Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery.

Licensure and Certification: Upon graduating from an approved nursing program, students must pass a national licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license. Nurses may be licensed in more than one State, either by examination or by the endorsement of a license issued by another State. The Nurse Licensure Compact Agreement allows a nurse who is licensed and permanently resides in one of the member States to practice in the other member States without obtaining additional licensure. In 2006, 20 states were members of the Compact, while 2 more were pending membership.

All States require periodic license renewal. Foreign-educated and foreign-born nurses wishing to work in the United States must obtain a work visa in addition to passing the above stated certifications.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation, with 2.5 million jobs held in 2006.
• About 59 percent of jobs are in hospitals.

JOB OUTLOOK

Overall job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent, growing by 23 percent and generating 587,000 new jobs from 2006 to 2016: among the largest number of new jobs for any occupation.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $57,280 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,710 and $69,850. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,440.

Chiropractors treat problems related to the musculoskeletal system and believe this improves the nervous system and general health, all without drugs or surgery.

Like other health practitioners, chiropractors follow a standard routine to get information needed to diagnose and treat patients. They take the patient’s medical history; conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations; and may order laboratory tests like X rays.

In addition to general chiropractic practice, some chiropractors specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and/or nutrition.

Chiropractors work about 40 hours per week. Solo practitioners set their own hours (which often includes evenings and weekends) to accommodate patient needs. Like other health care practitioners, chiropractors in a group practice will sometimes be on call or treat patients of other chiropractors in the group.

AREAS OF STUDY

Some chiropractors use other alternative medicines in their practices, including therapies using water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric, acupuncture, and heat. They also may apply supports such as straps, tapes, and braces to manually adjust the spine, and counsel counsel patients on nutrition, exercise, changes in lifestyle, and stress management.

Similar careers include athletic trainers, massage therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists.

SHOW ME THE MONEY: CHIROPRACTOR SALARY

Median annual earnings of salaried chiropractors were $65,220 in 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $45,710 and $96,500 a year.

As in other types of independent practice, earnings are relatively low in the beginning and increase as the practice grows. Geographic location and additional qualifications also influence earnings.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Chiropractors must be licensed, which requires 2 to 4 years of undergraduate education, the completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course, and passing scores on national and State examinations.

Chiropractic programs require a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience that culminates in the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic.

WHILE YOU’RE CRACKING THE BOOKS…

Many Chiropractic colleges also offer special diplomas for postdoctoral training in orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries, nutrition, rehabilitation, radiology, industrial consulting, family practice, pediatrics, and applied chiropractic sciences.

TYPICAL PERSONALITY TRAITS

Chiropractic adjustments require keen observation, considerable manual dexterity, but not unusual strength or endurance. Chiropractors should be able to work independently and handle responsibility. As in other health-related occupations, empathy, understanding, and the desire to help others are essential.

JOB OUTLOOK

Chiropractors held about 53,000 jobs in 2006. Most chiropractors (52%) work in a solo practice, although some are in group practice or work for other chiropractors. The rest teach, do research, or work in hospitals.

Do you find satisfaction from the precision required to pull a splinter out of a friend’s toe, enjoy cleaning and bandaging a roommate’s cut finger?

Does the thought of medical school sound like financial (and social) suicide?

Then perhaps you should look into a medical assisting job!

WHAT IS MEDICAL ASSISTING?

Medical assistants perform a range of administrative and clinical tasks in offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners. Unlike Physician assistants (who can examine, diagnose, and treat patients with physician supervision), medical assistant duties vary from office to office.

AREAS OF MEDICAL ASSISTING

Administrative tasks of medical assistants can take on many forms, from updating patients’ medical records to scheduling hospital admissions to filling out insurance forms. For clinical medical assistants, responsibilities vary by State law, but usually consist of taking medical histories, recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients and preparing them for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. As a medical assistant, you might also perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, teach patients about medications or special diets, authorize drug refills to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, and/or remove sutures.

PERKS

Since there is currently a regular demand, medical assistants can rely on stable hours and well-lit, clean environments. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Some may elect to work part-time, evenings, or weekends. Recession, who?

THE BACON YOU’LL BRING HOME

Depending on experience, skill level, and location, earnings of medical assistants vary. Below are the median annual earnings in the most popular locations of medical assisting (May 2006 data):

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Do you get woozy at the sight of blood? If not, keep reading.

MEDICAL ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Most medical assistants complete 1-year or 2-year programs, and most do on-the-job training after that. Postsecondary medical assisting programs lasting 1 year result in a certificate or diploma, 2 years results in an associate degree. One can expect medical assisting courses to cover everything from anatomy and medical terminology to accounting and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, medication administration, and first aid. Accredited medical assisting programs often include an internship that provides practical experience in real-world settings.

Some states even allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections, after passing a test or taking a course. There are some programs that are offered online.

TYPICAL PERSONALITY TRAITS OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

Medical assistants deal with patients, therefore, they must be presentable, pleasant, be able to put patients at ease, follow physician instructions, and multi-task well. Also, blabbermouths need not apply, or at least be aware: patient confidentiality is a huge liability.

For all intensive purposes, job outlook in medical assisting is excellent, a workforce expected to grow 35% by 2016!

For more information visit www.mycollegesandcareers.com to get more information.