Medical students (l-r) Marvin Smith, Oscar Lopez, Arash Esmailzadegan, Jennifer Conway, Isabel Lamour, Cecilia Perez, Albree Tower, Brad Greenfield, Heather Gabai, Joshua Stevens, Kevin Simonelic, Sandra Saint-Victor, Trevor Uyemura, Alex Mitchell.
Health care is a dynamic field, says Barbara Sonderling; “there are many professional opportunities and exciting career options.” And with its series of Health Care Pathways online programs, Kaplan College is making even more advancement opportunities available.
Located in Davenport, Iowa, Kaplan College offers a variety of online programs for health care professionals who are seeking ways to expand their careers. Sonderling, RN, Esq., is Executive Director, Kaplan College’s Health Care Pathways online certificate programs, including its newest offering, a Case Management Certificate available as an online, 12 month, non-credit program. Other offerings include Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, and Life Care Planning.
“Case Management is an integral component of modern health care delivery systems,” Sonderling said. “We provide a comprehensive educational program for health care professionals who desire to pursue a successful case management career. Graduates may work in a diversity of practice settings, including hospitals, insurance companies, managed care organizations, and independent practice.”
Sonderling coordinates with subject-matter experts in the development of new online programs aimed at the evolving demands of the health care industry. One such expert is Patricia McCollom, RN, MS, CRRN, CDMS, CCM, CLCP, who not only helped to develop the case management program but also serves as one of the instructors. McCollom worked with other industry leaders, including Paul Deutsch, Ph.D., a certified case manager, to incorporate case management standards of practice, tools, models, and quality measures into an innovative, online environment.
Designed for busy health care professionals, the online program is convenient and accessible available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students progress at their own pace and complete the courses in sequence because, as McCollom said, they are set up so that each one is the foundation for the next. According to Sonderling, “The Health Care Pathways programs provide health care professionals with challenging Web-based learning opportunities via message boards, online readings, academic exercises, and Web field trips. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate from regionally accredited Kaplan College, reflecting achievement of proficiency in the field. Students gain the requisite knowledge to confidently pursue their dynamic new health-care career path.” Sonderling added that students are able to communicate with faculty, fellow students, academic advisors, and student services via message board, internal e-mail, live chat or a toll-free phone number. “We encourage communication and interaction,” Sonderling said. “We strive to build a sense of community and are committed to assisting our students.”
Sonderling explained, “Our students are already licensed health care professionals. Our programs are the perfect supplement to their existing clinical experience and skills.” McCollom agreed. “You have to be an advanced practitioner to become a case manager.” Health and human services professionals eligible for enrollment include: registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation counselors, psychologists, and medical doctors.
According to McCollom, “Case management helps (patients) get through a serious injury, a hospital stay, or a catastrophic illness. Case managers coordinate the goods and services a person needs. Many hospitals have a case management department to ensure that care is not fragmented, but coordinated. Case managers promote quality, cost-effective health care in the best interest of patients and their families.”
McCollom adds, “Patients see us as someone who’s there for them to help them through the maze of health care.” By coordinating medical care and responding to patient questions and concerns, the case manager provides a valuable benefit in the delivery of health care.
Each Kaplan College Health Care Pathways program offers a distinct opportunity to add specialized knowledge for a rewarding career. With the Case Management Certificate, health and human services professionals become instrumental in the promotion of quality, cost-effective health care by utilizing strategies to assess, plan, and manage health care and human services. The Life Care Planning Certificate, for registered nurses and qualified rehabilitation professionals, cultivates skills necessary to develop and organize a concise life care plan for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs. With the Forensic Nursing Certificate, registered nurses explore the scientific investigation and treatment of victims and perpetrators of abuse, violence, criminal activity, sexual assault, and traumatic events. The Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate adds valuable legal skills for registered nurses to pursue opportunities at law firms specializing in personal injury or medical malpractice, with health care facilities in risk management, or in independent practice.
In much the same way that physicians achieve board certification in their specialties of practice, healthcare executives may also become board-certified in healthcare management through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an international professional society representing close to 30,000 healthcare executives.
To earn board certification, and hold the credential of Diplomate, candidates must demonstrate their commitment to continuing education, progression in professional experience, and participation in voluntary healthcare and community affairs. They must also successfully complete comprehensive written examinations covering subjects related to healthcare management. To assist professionals in preparing for this rigorous examination process, Zeff Ross, FACHE, Administrator of Memorial Hospital West and ACHE’s Regent for Southern Florida, commissioned a study group which meets weekly from January to mid-April each year. Each Saturday morning, an industry expert provides an overview for the participants on a particular topic included in the examination. Topics range from finance and information technology to governance and strategic planning. “Healthcare is a rapidly changing industry and professional development is crucial in today’s market. Executives need to stay on the cutting edge of technology and management issues in order to effectively lead their organizations and ensure the best care for their communities,” commented Ross. “Board certification, designated by the CHE (Certified Healthcare Executive) credential, indicates that the individual has made a significant commitment of time and resources to grow professionally. It also tells me the person has a strict code of ethics – supported by ACHE – which guides all decisions. He or she is a winner in my book!” At present, there are approximately 6,000 healthcare executives nationally who hold the Diplomate status within ACHE. With comprehensive programs in credentialing, education, career development, publications, research, and public policy, the American College of Healthcare Executives works toward its goal of improving the health status of society by advancing healthcare leadership and management excellence.
Nursing shortages in the South Florida area come as no surprise, but the shortage seems to have a deeper impact in the more rural Western communities of Palm Beach County. For this reason, Palm Beach Community College is looking for a few good men and women for its upcoming nursing Boot Camp to kick off the new RN program at the Belle Glade campus.
When approached about five years ago by the Glades Initiative Partnership Council with the difficulty in recruiting nurses to these communities, PBCC jumped at the opportunity. The college launched an LPN program three years ago and hopes to use that as a base for the RN program.
“A large number of nurses in Palm Beach County have been educated at Palm Beach Community College,” said Carol Alexander, nursing department chair. “But we noticed that there was a deficit in the western part of the county so were trying to rectify that.”
The school is pulling out all the stops. Thanks to the Glades Initiative Partnership Council, the county Health Care District, Nova Southeastern University and other community members, the program is scheduled to launch in January 2006. Moreover, each student will receive a scholarship to help offset costs of tuition and materials.
PBCC will provide faculty members for the nursing program at Belle Glade. The school also is working with the staff at Glades General Hospital and Hendry Medical Center to provide the clinical part of the program. Both hospitals also will provide faculty members.
Technology will play a big role in the program. By the fall of 2006, the school will have all nursing prerequisites and nursing theory classes from the Lake Worth campus available online, so the same curriculum is available to all students. In addition, PBCC recently perfected their teleconferencing technology, so some classes will be available through video simulcast.
One of the main goals is to find people who will take pride in their community. Because there hasnt been a nursing program in western Palm Beach County, hospitals have not been able to attract nurses who are completely devoted to the area. Many times, organizations rely on traveling nurses who leave.
“Rather than bringing in traveling nurses, The Glades Initiative wants to grow their own people from their own community who will be committed to staying there and working on bettering the healthcare of the area,” said Joanne Masella, RN program coordinator.
Since this is a new program to the area, PBCC created the nursing boot camp to help future students who will be accepted into the program for the January semester prepare for the rigors of a nursing program. The nursing boot camp will be a nine-session program that will take place in November in which prospective nursing students will learn study skills, time management skills, note-taking methods, medical terminology and other topics that will help them navigate through nursing school.
“These are basic skills that you need to survive a nursing program,” Masella said.
Interest for the program in increasing virtually every day, and there are a limited number of spots available. Those who are interested in the program should apply soon.
Whether you are a hospital administrator, a physician in private practice or a nurse working the night shift, you are more than likely very aware that the state of Florida and the U.S. in general are facing an increased demand for trained healthcare providers.
Now, more than ever, as the population continues to age and the amount of baby boomers grows, particularly in Florida, the state and the country are at a major crossroads with regard to healthcare who will take care of all of these people? With todays current shortages, this also begs the question What about tomorrow? The answer lies in the growing number of University and Colleges who are implementing programs to meet the pressing need. From nurses to mid-level care providers, several universities, including South University, with campuses in West Palm Beach and a newly opened location in Tampa are working to address the shortfall in healthcare education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care provided 13.5 million jobs in 2004, making it the countrys largest industry. This included 13.1 million jobs for wage and salaried workers and approximately 411,000 jobs for the self-employed. (Career Guide to Industries 2006-2007). Today, health care as a profession accounts for eight of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the country. More than 3.6 million new jobs are expected to be created in health care between 2004 and 2014 more than in any other industry. At South University, the institution has moved quickly to launch a variety of programs that meet areas of critical demand including Nursing, Medical Assisting, Physical Therapist Assisting and Healthcare Management. “We continue to see increased interest in our healthcare programs,” says Tracey Schoonmaker, President of South University in West Palm Beach. “Because of the need in the marketplace, students are recognizing the opportunities and are seeking out programs with strong reputations for quality education.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics, registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation, with 2.4 million jobs with RNs projected to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations. In fact, the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice and the American Nurses Association recommends that two-thirds of the basic nurse workforce be prepared with a bachelor’s degree or higher by the year 2010 to meet the increasingly complex conditions of today’s patient care needs. “In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered at our campus, we are now offering a program for current RNs that want to pursue their bachelors degree,” says Schoonmaker. “Offered 100% online, the program provides flexibility enabling RNs receive credit for their nursing experience and pursue their degree online no matter what shift or commitments they may have.” With demand increasing in the marketplace for well-trained healthcare providers, the answer for tomorrows increased demand is education. “Considering the challenges we are facing, employers and universities must work together to ensure there is a talent-rich pool of capable employees for the future,” said Schoonmaker.