SEPTEMBER 2018 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
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An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today
Careers in Healthcare Dr. Vivek H. Murthy,
one of the youngest appointed U.S. Surgeon Generals, believes in a prevention-based approach to wellness.
READ about hospital medicine and the abundance of career paths available to team members.
HEAR why a transition into teaching may be a financially smart move for nurses.
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Though test scores matter, admissions committees should look beyond numbers when recruiting future physicians.
in this issue
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Board certified: Why most physicians go beyond basic medical training to become experts in various specialties. ONLINE
As healthcare technology continues to develop at an astounding pace, more equipment engineers and technicians are needed. ONLINE
Hospital Medicine Offers Diverse Career Paths and Leadership Opportunities Ever heard of a hospitalist? Discover why it’s the fastest-growing medical specialty.
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ften called the fastest-growing specialty in modern healthcare, hospital medicine focuses on the care of hospitalized patients from admission through discharge and comprises a variety of members of the care team. Hospitalists, or practitioners of hospital medicine, include physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Diverse backgrounds While typically trained in internal medicine, hospitalists can also be trained in family medicine, pediatrics and other specialties. Rather than practice off-site, they are based in the hospital to provide improved continuity of care for patients. With roots in the United States, the model continues to expand
to additional countries, including the Netherlands, Japan and Brazil. The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), the medical society dedicated to the specialty, recognizes hospital medicine as a “big tent,” including non-clinical staff such as practice managers and practice administrators in addition to the providers on the hospital floor. These team members play integral roles in ensuring the success of the care team and improving patient outcomes. Options and flexibility Another unique aspect of hospital medicine is the multitude o f c a re e r p a t h s a v a i l a b l e t o practitioners, from operations to executive management and other leadership opportunities. Because hospitalists interact with multiple departments and
Nasim Afsar MD, MBA, SFHM, President of SHM’s Board of Directors and Chief Ambulatory Officer and CMO for ACOs, UC Irvine Health
specialties, their global view of patient care makes them optimal candidates for quality improvement projects in areas like care transitions, medication reconciliation, glycemic control and more. This level of involvement
in hospital operations often leads them to C-suite executive positions in hospitals and health systems. Prominent hospitalist leaders include Dr. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Vivek Murthy, former Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Kate Goodrich, director and chief medical officer of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Dr. Patrick Cawley, chief executive officer of the Medical University of South Carolina Health. Hospital medicine traditionally features a flexible schedule, including the 7-on/7-off model; in this model, hospitalists work seven 12-hour shifts for seven days in a row and then have seven days off. Some practices are even experimenting with 4-on/5-off or other variations of
the traditional model. Compared to models used in other specialties, hospital medicine offers additional flexibility to providers, making hospital medicine an attractive option. Join the movement The hospital medicine movement continues to grow in size and prominence. The American Board of Internal Medicine recognizes Focused Practice in Hospital Medicine as an optional re c e r t i f i c a t i o n p a t h w a y f o r traditional internal medicine physicians and, in 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser vices introduced a hospitalist specialty code, C6, which demonstrates its importance to the healthcare landscape. Grow along with this exciting field in healthcare and consider a career in hospital medicine. n
Publisher Lindsay Waldman Business Developer Mac Harris Managing Director Luciana Olson Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Designers Chris Espino, John Coutinho Copy Editor Erin Mathis Production Coordinator Josh Rosman Content Strategist Mina Fanous Cover Photo Courtesy of Sean Shanahan All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.
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Why a Caribbean-Based Medical School Might Be Right for You
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Despite what you may have heard, Caribbean universities are a great place to get your medical degree, and may even be a better option than studying in the United States.
here's a myth floating around that attending a medical school in the Caribbean somehow delegitimizes the degree or experience. However, this couldn't be further from the truth; in fact, a medical degree from a school in the Caribbean is a viable option for many.
“This makes these schools a more viable option for those who struggle on standardized tests.”
High acceptance rates One of the biggest benefits of applying to a medical school in the Caribbean is that the acceptance rates are much
higher than schools based in the United States. While most medical schools have acceptance rates well below the 10 percent mark, offshore schools often accept
around 40 percent of applicants. A Caribbean school is also a great option for those who may not have been accepted by a U.S.-based school. Lower score requirements Additionally, Caribbean schools have lower expectations for GPA and MCAT scores compared to U.S. schools. This makes these schools a more viable option for those who struggle on standardized tests. When it comes down to it, medical schools in the United States and Caribbean teach the same material.
Additionally, beginning in 2023, if the Caribbean school you attend is certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, you can become licensed in the United States and Canada. Many Caribbean schools also have affiliations with clinical sites and teaching hospitals for students to complete their clinical training. n
Nicole Ortiz
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Beyond grades St. George’s graduate Justin Roberts, M.D., an anesthesiology resident physician at Rutgers University’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, knows medical school isn’t one size fits all. “I kind of took the scenic route to medical school,” he says. “I went to college on a full athletic scholarship — I had an opportunity to play professional football. I did a bunch of things before I made the decision to go to medical school. I understand the reliance on GPA and test scores; there needs to be some sort of uniformity. However, as a physician, you can't just read and regurgitate information. You have to interpret that information and make decisions — in real time.” “Your MCAT score doesn't dictate what type of doctor you're going to be,” echoes fellow SGU grad Katrina M. von Kriegenbergh, M.D., D.ABA of The Pain and Rehabilitation Medical Group in Los Angeles. Reading every application Like Roberts and von Kriegenbergh, pediatric gastroenterologist Jacqueline Larson, M.D. believes the admissions process and diversity at St. George’s University was crucial to her success. “SGU uses a holistic approach when evaluating applicants,” she points out. “They are looking to see how this person is going to contribute not only as a medical student but also as a future physician.” Von Kriegenbergh, who took time off between undergraduate and medical school, also believes the SGU approach to admissions was beneficial to her career. “SGU does not have cut offs for GPA or MCAT scores,” she points out. “Instead, they look at the applicant as a whole to see what other strengths make them
PHOTO: ST. GEORGE’S UNIVERSITY
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etting into medical school is getting more and more competitive. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the number of applications to U.S. medical schools rose by more than 35 percent between 2006 and 2016. And while most schools talk about assessing individual achievements beyond GPAs and MCAT scores, most still focus on those numbers. “I think that's a shame,” says Margaret Lambert, vice president and dean for enrollment planning and director of university communications at St. George’s University in Grenada. “You're not recruiting any diversity. A cumulative GPA is directional, but people treat it as a be-all and end-all. You have to look at the totality of how people achieved what they’ve achieved.”
The Modern Medical School Is Diverse — and Nontraditional GPA and MCATs might predict academic success, but a holistic admissions approach may provide more front-line patient care. a well-rounded applicant. SGU gives nontraditional students a chance to succeed in medicine. Entering the workforce prior to medical school was beneficial for me, and SGU didn’t penalize me for that.” “At SGU, we have members of the committee read every application,” Lambert says. “There’s a story in every application. Each class is diverse and has all types of people in it — we recruit from over 40 countries — which actually makes it very strong.” Roberts, for his part, believes the diversity he encountered at SGU is incredibly beneficial. “Going to St George's, there were a lot of times when I sat down for lunch and I was the only one from the United States at my table,” he notes. “Today, physicians need to be
culturally diverse and culturally sensitive and be able to talk to people and have in-depth discussions with their patients and their families.” For Lambert, this just means SGU has its priorities in place. “What we think we're doing is training physicians to actually practice medicine,” she says, noting the focus on academic research at other medical schools. “Seventy-five percent of SGU graduates go into primary care, and we celebrate that.” n
Jeffrey Somers
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Why Nurses Should Consider Teaching as Their Next Career Move With a growing number of vacancies in nursing education, a switch into the field could prove to be financially rewarding for qualified nurses.
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ou’ve earned your nursing degree and passed the National Council Licensure Examination to become a full-fledged RN, landing your dream job in a hospital or another practice setting. Congratulations! You can look forward to a rewarding career of providing safe, quality care to a diverse population of patients in an increasingly sophisticated, team-driven healthcare environment. The doors of opportunity have just opened to you. Your nursing license will become your gold card to the world of caring. But have you thought about where your career can go after nursing? You may not realize this, but there is a shortage of nurse educators. In 2017, 661
National League for Nursing-member schools reported a total of 839 faculty vacancies. With many current nurse educators within a decade of retirement age, today’s shortage of nurse educators is projected to grow, opening up more positions for those qualified to teach. The U.S. Bureau of Labor anticipates that by 2026, the field for nurse educators will grow by 24 percent, with an annual average of 71,260 job openings between 2016 and 2026. That’s why we urge you to take the next step of your career. As a nurse educator, you will instruct and inspire the next generation of nurses, effectively having a positive impact on hundreds of individuals, families and communities. To prepare for this specialized practice, you must acquire
a master’s level education that includes discipline-specific studies in teaching and learning strategies. Additionally, once you become qualified to teach in any academic nursing program at college or university level, you can choose to continue your education even further by pursuing a practice or research doctorate. This added step will make you eligible for a higher salary and other benefits. As the oldest professional association for nursing in the country, the National League for Nursing (NLL) is committed to creating and implementing professional development for nurse educators. The NLL engages in robust advocacy for federal, state and regional policies, that advance nursing education opportunities. Passage of
measures, such as the federal Title VIII Workforce Reauthorization Act, provide tuition assistance through grants and scholarships for nursing education, making it easier for registered nurses to continue or return to school. Although we write from experience as nurse educators, please don’t take our word for it. Just ask your own trusted professors. Let them convince you to explore the wealth of opportunity that awaits you in nursing education. n Dr. G. Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, FAAN, President, National League for Nursing, and Professor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Beverly Malone, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, CEO, National League for Nursing.
Hear from the Former U.S. Surgeon General on the Importance of Prevention Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, one of the youngest appointed U.S. Surgeon Generals, shares the inspiration behind his career in medicine and what fuels his uncompromising commitment to a healthier nation.
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r. Vivek H. Murthy was inspired to practice medicine at an early age by his father, who was also a doctor. “Early on, I learned that medicine is about more than making diagnoses and prescribing medicine,” he states. “It is about building relationships with people; relationships that are based on trust and mutual understanding.” America's doctor In 2014, Dr. Murthy was sworn in as the 19th United States Surgeon General — the first Indian American to be appointed to the coveted medical post. As “America's Doctor,” he was responsible for communicating the best available information to the public regarding ways to improve personal and public health.
Dr. Murthy also oversaw the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, comprised of more than 6,700 health officers who serve in nearly 800 locations around the world. Their mission promotes, protects and advances the health of the country. Promoting prevention According to the CDC, America spends more on healthcare than any other nation, yet the average life expectancy is far below many other nations that spend less. Dr. Murthy believes that the key to achieving better healthcare lies in prevention. Prevention focuses on activities that encourage healthy living in an effort to limit the onset of chronic diseases. Prevention also includes early detection efforts,
such as screening at-risk populations, as well as plans for management of existing conditions. Dr. Murthy believes that building a foundation of prevention means physical activity, good nutrition and emotional well-being. “We have spent relatively little attention on emotional well-being, which is vital when it comes to improving health,” he urges. According to a study by Edelman Wellness 360, consumers prioritize emotional health over physical, yet 63 percent lack clarity on how to achieve emotional well-being, like relieving stress and increasing self-esteem.
to healthcare for all people. Disparities in income, education, housing, race, gender and geography all affect the quality of care a citizen can access. “We are one of the richest countries in the world, but we have such a wide disparity in terms of access to care and healthcare outcomes,” Dr. Murthy explains. Dr. Murthy believes that when it comes to a healthier future, everyone can do their part by adopting healthier behaviors. “If we can incorporate healthy living into our own lives,” he outlines, “we will not only be healthier ourselves, but we will set a good example for the other people in our lives.” n
Access for all When he's not advocating for a prevention-based approach to wellness, he uses his influence to promote equity of access
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BSN • MSN • DNP Advance Your Nursing Career at DeSales Want to start earning your BSN after high school graduation? Plan to gain a master's degree in a specialized field of nursing? Become a Nurse Practitioner? Pursue your doctorate? Earn an MBA with an advanced nursing degree? Wherever you are in your nursing journey, DeSales has a program for you. The DeSales University Department of Nursing & Health offers quality, innovative nursing programs. If career preparation is important to you, you've found the right school.
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