Category: Uncategorized

Physician Assistants
by Wendy J. Meyeroff
Monster Contributing Writer

Working alongside physicians, Bill Mahaffy has harvested arteries and treated patients in cardiac-care units, but he’s not a physician; he’s a physician assistant (PA), an occupation that is expected to be one of the fastest-growing over the coming years.

PAs, who work under the supervision of doctors, are highly trained, licensed healthcare professionals who treat and diagnose patients, perform various medical procedures and act as a liaison with nurses, lab techs and others on the healthcare team. In 48 states and the District of Columbia, PAs can even prescribe medication.

With greater demand for healthcare services, Mahaffy says PAs are “taking care of about 80 percent of what the doctors used to,” freeing doctors to focus on more complicated cases.

For those willing to undergo the rigorous required medical training, the PA profession offers excellent prospects and a variety of opportunities for specialization.

Fast-Growing Field

Mahaffy, a certified physician assistant (PA-C) at Evangelical Community Hospital in Columbia, Pennsylvania, became a PA about 10 years ago after 25 years as a paramedic. “I had colleagues who were PAs, and it seemed like a logical progression,” he explains. “It was the best career choice I ever made.”

It’s a promising one as well. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation will be the third fastest-growing professional job in the nation through 2012, when the number of PAs is expected to increase to 94,000, up 49 percent from 2002. The median annual salary is about $65,000, with the top 10 percent earning more than $90,000.

While salaries are high, aspiring PAs must be willing to tackle one of the more extensive health education programs outside of traditional medical school. Most physician assistant programs [http://www.aapa.org/pgmlist.php3] require applicants to have previous healthcare experience and some college education. The typical applicant holds a bachelor’s degree and has worked in healthcare for four years, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants [http://www.aapa.org/]. PA training usually takes about two years full-time. In addition, graduates must pass a national certifying exam to obtain their state licenses. Continuing education is also required.

Like Mahaffy, many PAs segue naturally into the occupation from other healthcare fields. Mahaffy has seen former nurses, exercise physiologists, fitness trainers and even two mortuary technicians become PAs.

The Adrenaline Rush

PAs can be generalists or specialize in areas such as cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry or trauma. [https://members.aapa.org/extra/constituents/special-menu.cfm]

Mahaffy, who is president of the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants, [http://www.aaspa.com/] is a surgical PA specializing in cardiothoracic procedures. He’s harvested arteries for cardiac surgeons, put in dialysis catheters and inserted feeding tubes. Today, as a hospitalist (another specialty), he works anywhere outside the OR where surgical expertise is needed. For example, one of his duties in the cardiac-care unit is providing chest drainage to patients with congestive heart failure.

Mahaffy works five days on, five days off, starting at 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. for what are supposed to be 10 or 12-hour shifts, but he stays as long as he’s needed. His specialty can be “a young man’s game,” he admits. “You can live on adrenaline and caffeine.”

In a Family Way

Charlene Morris, MPAS, PA-C, offers another look at a PA’s life. A former lab tech, Morris has been a family-practice PA for 24 years. While she has been employed at major medical centers, she now works alongside a family-practice physician at the B.F. Taylor Medical Arts Family Medicine Clinic in the small town of Burkesville, Kentucky.

She describes the relationship with the doctor she supports as “very complementary” and says she loves the versatility of family medicine. “I’ll handle everything from colds and rashes, to sports injuries, to people with diabetes,” says Morris, who is president of the Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants. [http://www.afppa.org/]

Earlier this year, she widened her work’s scope by dividing her time between the clinic and the Cumberland County (Kentucky) ER. “I’ve had to go back and expand my suturing skills, and we have to be up on advanced cardiac life support,” she says.

Morris and Mahaffy emphasize the flexibility in their careers and agree that they could move into other areas, from neonatal to aerospace medicine. “PAs can work in any and all settings with their physician colleagues,” Mahaffy says.

Nurses are tough cookies, but every now and then they need some room to vent and rant too. This list is compiled of the best nurse practitioner blogs, some other good-egg nurses’ blogs, nursing resources and news Web sites and a few surprises. These nurses aren’t grumpy; they’re just tired of listening to the rest of us complain.

Nurse Practitioner Blogs
1. The Nurse Practioner’s Place – This is a straightforward blog that deftly mixes humor with practical advice. The author blogs about everything from medical news and office etiquette to her discovery of the world’s most delicious cake.
2. What School Doesn’t Teach About Being a Nurse Practitioner – Just like the name says, this site is about giving you the nurse practitioner lowdown that school doesn’t. This includes humorous posts about dress codes, PCP, and the lady lumps that Fergie wasn’t talking about.
3. The Nervewracking Nurse Practitioner – This site tackles head-on the issues of practitioners needing physicians to practice, as well as being snubbed by insurance provider lists. The blog also offers time-saving resources, healthcare tips, and more.
4. New NP – As the name implies, this blog is about dealing with being the new NP on the block, and dealing with everything from surviving the first day on the job to dealing with patients’ tears.
5. A Nurse Practitioner’s View – This blog explores the politics of medical news, such as how tighter tobacco regulation will affect the medical world. It also offers practical medical advice as well as thoughts on the medical industry.
6. Bailey Blog – This blog offers tales by and from the Bailey family, including the civil litigation lawyer David and the nurse practitioner Michelle. This image-filled website is full of laughs for the whole family.
7. The Beast… – In the blogger’s own words, this site offers “A chronology of my husband’s treatment for multiple myeloma.” While something of a tear-jerker, this site is an amazing read.
8. A grumpyRN – This blog offers advice from a nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience under their belt. Advice touches on topics such as patient mobility, whistle blowing, and the world of medical IT.
9. No Place For Old NP’s – This southwestern blog tackles outpatient follow-up, so-called “immaculate conceptions,” and the lifestyles of visiting patients.
10. HospiceNP – This inpatient hospice blog cuts to the chase with advice on patient restraints, prescribing controlled drugs, and dealing with patients who are also friends.
11. DukeNP99 – This family nurse practitioner’s blog deals with humorous home life topics as well as tales from the medical world.

Nurse Practitioner Industry News and Blogs
12. Nurse Practitioner Business Owner Blog – As you’d expect from the name, this blog offers advice on the business side of the nurse practitioner industry. The advice is straightforward and practical, with topics such as getting quickly credentialed as well as putting your business on the map.
13. www.npplace.com – This passionate blog examines emerging controversies in the medical community. In-between, there are helpful, entertaining posts with titles like “How Not to Choke Your Non-Compliant Patients.”
14. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners – An association specifically for the advocacy of nurse practitioners. Established in 1985, nurse practitioners turn to this organization to network and get the latest developments in nurse practitioning.
15. The Nurse Practitioner’s Place – This thorough site offers information about specific medical conditions, as well as tackling questions about doctors versus nurse practitioners, hospital acquired infections, and more.
16. NP Freebies.com – This site hosts a variety of free NP-related downloads, such as process protocol templates, practice agreements, and more.
17. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners – You can browse current or past issues of this prestigious journal, as well as submit your own manuscripts for publication.
18. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs – Like the name says, this site is all about scoring you a pediatric nurse practitioner job. There’s tips on hiring practices, job placement, and contract negotiation.
19. NP Central – A site for nurse practitioners seeking useful information on anything and everything that affects the nurse practitioner field.

Nursing Industry Goodies
20. Dear Nurses – This image-filled site offers tips on improving clinical skills and patient communication. The specialty of the site is colorful, printable PDFs to help explain the nature of various medical conditions to your patients.
21. Career Transitions and Other Nurse Topics – This site aims to be your one-stop nursing needs shop. In addition to her informative posts about the medical community, the Nurse Connect family of sites offers links to nursing jobs, educational opportunities, and a variety of nursing resources.
22. About a Nurse – This colorful site offers tips for teaching (and learning), finding (and keeping) a job, and navigating the dreaded operating room.
23. Nursing Jobs and Gossip in the Workplace – This blog offers the thoughts of a Midwestern graduate nurse. As the name implies, entries vary from finding a job, surviving it, and thriving on the great workplace gossip.
24. Clinical Cases and Images – Blog – This site offers compilations of health news, many medically-informative Youtube videos, and info on emerging medical treatments.
25. Nursing Job A Day – This Florida blog offers thoughts on critical care, medical research, infection prevention, and more.
26. NurseLeads.org – This is another great site to help you locate nursing jobs from coast to coast.
27. Nursing Law & Order – Focusing on the legal aspects of nursing, this site offers concise updates that are ideal for reading over breakfast before beginning your day.
28. Off the Charts – This American Journal of Nursing blog offers thoughts on healthcare reform, swine flu survival, and the relationship between spirituality and nursing.
29. What’s new in nursing – Another great “portal” type blog, this site offers breaking news, links to other blogs, case studies, and much more.
30. Nursing Jobs Plus – Like you’d expect from the name, this site is all about finding nursing jobs. You can search by title as well as location.
31. Nursing Research: Show me the evidence! – This thorough blog offers tips on making surgeries easier, links to great nursing literature, and surprising sources of patient infection.
32. The MedFriendly Blog – This doctor’s blog dishes on dementia, corporate medical policy, memory improvement, and more.
33. Medblogopathy – This blog deals with medical politics, tales from the office, and surviving your medical mistakes.
34. Resources for Nurses and Families – A database of essential nursing information and links for nurses and families that are in need of medical information.

Other Noteworthy Nurse Blogs
35. A Place I Call Home – This blog offers tales from “a city girl gone smalltown,” and offers thoughts on the nature of the medical world, as well as how to give yourself a well-needed break from it.
36. NeoNurseChic – Though the updates are infrequent, the sheer thorough nature of each post on this blog makes up for it. The blogger herself takes on Octo-mom ethics, surviving grad school, and even offers her own musical compositions.
37. Head Nurse – This humorous blog offers tips on surviving arrogant surgeons, Summer sinus infections, and waxes philosophic on the healing powers of Scotch.
38. Warrior Mom – This blog comes from the wisdom of a mother, professor, and nurse practitioner all rolled into one. This site has much humanity and heart, and offers hope for a better future.
39. Nurse Pickle – Offering the perspective of one who has been a nurse for just over a year, this site offers many smiles as you read her adventures of surviving the nursing world.
40. Running a Hospital – Offering a different perspective, this hospital CEO’s blog meditates on efficiency, organization, and the reduction of waiting times to see a doctor.
41. March of the Platypi – This site focuses on wacky stories about patients and townies, and proves a very entertaining read, indeed.
42. Just Up the Dose – This blog mixes family and life musings with amusing tales from the worlds of community service and medicine.
43. Drug Pusher – This bitterly amusing blogger offers tales from “the trenches in Heroin Town ER,” and offers tips on navigating medical errors, as well as patient tales ranging from horrific to hilarious (with, admittedly, some overlap).
44. The Makings of a Nurse – This blog offers thoughts on self-improvement, dealing with patients, surviving the job, and becoming a better nurse.
45. The Magical Mystery Land of Community Health – This humorous blog deals with just how much you should share with patients, amusing haikus, winning over your PCP, and more.

Nursing Community Blogs and Forums
46. Nursing Dynamics and Clinical Issues – Another great blogger in the Nurse Connect family of sites, this blog offers hopes for the future of nursing, keys to understanding patients, and other great tips for surviving daily practice.
47. Message Boards and Blogs – This provides a place for nurses can dish about every aspect of the job, and find commiseration and camaraderie in equal measure.
48. The Nursing Site Blog – Serving as a “a blog for nurses, student nurses, and those who want to become nurses,” and addresses everything from emerging medical practices to media portrayals of nurses. Just be careful of the automatically-starting music.
49. Healthcare POV – This site serves as a portal to a variety of blogs, letting you stay updated about each one with a simple click of the refresh button.
50. Nurse.com Forums – This forum offers posts ranging from whimsical to cosmically profound, and invites you to join in on the chaos.

Program web site	http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/applications/rraa.asp
Sponsor	Bureau of Health Professions
Deadlines	Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Purpose	Assistance for qualifying practice sites in recruiting and retaining community-responsive, culturally competent primary care clinicians. If approved as an NHSC site, your open vacancies will be published on the NHSC Opportunities List and viewed by hundreds of clinicians, including NHSC Scholars and those interested in the Loan Repayment Program. If your application is submitted in order to retain a clinician already hired by your site who would like to participate in the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, your vacancy will not be posted on the Opportunities List since it is not an “open” vacancy.
Eligibility	Sites must meet several criteria, including: Located in a federally designated HPSA. You may check your HPSA status by searching the HPSA database, or you may read more information about the HPSA designation process. Documentation of sound fiscal management Use a sliding-fee schedule or other documented methods to reduce fees that ensure no financial barriers to care exist, accept assignment of Medicare, and enter into an agreement with the State agency that administers Medicaid Proof of the capacity to maintain a competitive salary, benefits, and malpractice coverage package NHSC sites must provide requested health care services regardless of the individuals ability or method of payment. NHSC sites must not discriminate in the provision of services to an individual because of (1) the individual’s ability to pay for the services; or (2) because payment for the services would be made under the Medicare, Medicaid or State Children’s Health Insurance Programs.
Geographic coverage	Nationwide
Amount of funding	Assistance in finding a clinician.
Application process	To begin the application process for NHSC assistance, sites must complete the NHSC Recruitment and Retention Assistance Application available on the program web site.
	For more information contact: 1-800-221-9393 or e-mail: CallCenter@hrsa.gov Summaries of funding programs are provided by RAC for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.

 

Baby boomers are projected to use more health care resources in the upcoming years than every other previous generation. This population is living longer and requiring management of more complex chronic conditions, placing a strain on hospital systems already lacking adequate staffing of healthcare providers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for nurse practitioners (NPs) is expected to grow exponentially from 2020-2030. Less than 10% of NPs specialize in adult-gerontology care. As the life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, adult-gerontology NPs (also known as AGNPs) will be in high demand. Are you up for the challenge of becoming an AGNP?

What Is an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners specialize in caring for adolescents and adults through advanced age, and the geriatric population. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, AGNPs help screen and diagnose chronic conditions and treat age-related health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory issues, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cancer.

There Are Two Different Types of AGNPs: Primary & Acute Care

Adult-Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioners (AG-ACNP)

AG-ACNPs care for acutely ill patients, usually in hospitals, and predominantly in emergency departments, intensive care units, or other acute inpatient settings. They treat patients experiencing episodic illnesses, exacerbation of chronic illness, or terminal illness. AG-ACNPs collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to diagnose and treat critically ill patients.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioners (AG-PCNP)

AG-PCNPs focus on primary health management of patients from adolescence through old age. They typically practice in outpatient settings such as internal medicine, private practice and clinics, or inpatient long-term care facilities. AG-PCNPs manage chronic illnesses, and provide education to patients on achieving healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

 

What Is the Role of an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

AGNPs assess patients, diagnose medical issues, order diagnostic tests, interpret results, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans in adolescent, adult, and elderly patients.

AGNP Scope of Practice

An AGNP’s scope of practice differs depending on the needs of the patient they are caring for and varies by state law. Typical scope of practice for AGNPs include:

• Evaluating patients’ health histories, test results, and symptoms in order to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Ordering diagnostic tools such as bloodwork, X-rays, ECGs, etc. and then interpreting results.
• Prescribing medication, and educating patients on the route, dosage, and frequency, as well as any risks or side effects.
• Diagnosing common health issues such as illnesses and infections.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment plans and adjusting medications as needed.
• Educating patients and their caregivers about ongoing management of chronic conditions and encouraging compliance.
• Advocating for patients and their families.

 

In addition to nurse practitioner duties, AGNPs must possess several skills in order to provide compassionate patient care, especially when treating the advanced age population.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Helpful Skills Include:

• Patience – Many older patients struggle with hearing and memory issues. An NP may have to repeat themselves several times to ensure the patient hears or understands them, which requires a great deal of patience.

 

• Knowledge of geriatric health issues – The advanced age population may experience different health issues, especially compared to younger patients, which often require more individualized care. AGNPs must stay abreast of current research in the geriatric field of medicine.

 

• Strong communication – AGNPs must be able to communicate effectively with patients and their caretakers. The older population may have difficulty understanding or remembering how to care for their condition or what medications to take. Being able to communicate adequately is imperative for positive patient outcomes

 

• Safety – Maintaining patient safety standards is an AGNP’s top priority. Elderly patients are especially at risk for falls or medication overdoses. AGNPs must advocate for the safety of all of their patients.

 

• Compassion – The geriatric population may experience sensitive issues such as requiring end-of-life care. AGNPs must be able to provide competent palliative care and education for patients and their caretakers while doing so in a compassionate and comforting manner.

 

The Future of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners

Both primary and acute care AGNPs are equally valuable and needed to care for patients across most of their lifespan. With the anticipated rapid growth in NP positions and the increased longevity of the aging population, AGNPs will be in high demand.

 

Thinking of obtaining a role as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner? Consider utilizing a healthcare staffing service such as Litton Resource Group to assist in your search for a new position. Access the site and fill out an application to help match you with a medical institution that meets your career goals. Becoming an AGNP will provide you with a rewarding career and allow you to make a difference in the advanced age population.

 

 

 

Lauren Rivera BSN, RNC-NIC is a certified neonatal intensive care nurse. She serves as a nurse expert for a mother/baby telehealth company, and develops content for various nursing sites and fellow healthcare providers.

 

Baby boomers are projected to use more health care resources in the upcoming years than every other previous generation. This population is living longer and requiring management of more complex chronic conditions, placing a strain on hospital systems already lacking adequate staffing of healthcare providers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for nurse practitioners (NPs) is expected to grow exponentially from 2020-2030. Less than 10% of NPs specialize in adult-gerontology care. As the life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, adult-gerontology NPs (also known as AGNPs) will be in high demand. Are you up for the challenge of becoming an AGNP?

What Is an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners specialize in caring for adolescents and adults through advanced age, and the geriatric population. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, AGNPs help screen and diagnose chronic conditions and treat age-related health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory issues, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cancer.

There Are Two Different Types of AGNPs: Primary & Acute Care

Adult-Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioners (AG-ACNP)

AG-ACNPs care for acutely ill patients, usually in hospitals, and predominantly in emergency departments, intensive care units, or other acute inpatient settings. They treat patients experiencing episodic illnesses, exacerbation of chronic illness, or terminal illness. AG-ACNPs collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to diagnose and treat critically ill patients.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioners (AG-PCNP)

AG-PCNPs focus on primary health management of patients from adolescence through old age. They typically practice in outpatient settings such as internal medicine, private practice and clinics, or inpatient long-term care facilities. AG-PCNPs manage chronic illnesses, and provide education to patients on achieving healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

 

What Is the Role of an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

AGNPs assess patients, diagnose medical issues, order diagnostic tests, interpret results, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans in adolescent, adult, and elderly patients.

AGNP Scope of Practice

An AGNP’s scope of practice differs depending on the needs of the patient they are caring for and varies by state law. Typical scope of practice for AGNPs include:

• Evaluating patients’ health histories, test results, and symptoms in order to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Ordering diagnostic tools such as bloodwork, X-rays, ECGs, etc. and then interpreting results.
• Prescribing medication, and educating patients on the route, dosage, and frequency, as well as any risks or side effects.
• Diagnosing common health issues such as illnesses and infections.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment plans and adjusting medications as needed.
• Educating patients and their caregivers about ongoing management of chronic conditions and encouraging compliance.
• Advocating for patients and their families.

 

In addition to nurse practitioner duties, AGNPs must possess several skills in order to provide compassionate patient care, especially when treating the advanced age population.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Helpful Skills Include:

• Patience – Many older patients struggle with hearing and memory issues. An NP may have to repeat themselves several times to ensure the patient hears or understands them, which requires a great deal of patience.

 

• Knowledge of geriatric health issues – The advanced age population may experience different health issues, especially compared to younger patients, which often require more individualized care. AGNPs must stay abreast of current research in the geriatric field of medicine.

 

• Strong communication – AGNPs must be able to communicate effectively with patients and their caretakers. The older population may have difficulty understanding or remembering how to care for their condition or what medications to take. Being able to communicate adequately is imperative for positive patient outcomes

 

• Safety – Maintaining patient safety standards is an AGNP’s top priority. Elderly patients are especially at risk for falls or medication overdoses. AGNPs must advocate for the safety of all of their patients.

 

• Compassion – The geriatric population may experience sensitive issues such as requiring end-of-life care. AGNPs must be able to provide competent palliative care and education for patients and their caretakers while doing so in a compassionate and comforting manner.

 

The Future of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners

Both primary and acute care AGNPs are equally valuable and needed to care for patients across most of their lifespan. With the anticipated rapid growth in NP positions and the increased longevity of the aging population, AGNPs will be in high demand.

 

Thinking of obtaining a role as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner? Consider utilizing a healthcare staffing service such as Litton Resource Group to assist in your search for a new position. Access the site and fill out an application to help match you with a medical institution that meets your career goals. Becoming an AGNP will provide you with a rewarding career and allow you to make a difference in the advanced age population.

 

 

 

Lauren Rivera BSN, RNC-NIC is a certified neonatal intensive care nurse. She serves as a nurse expert for a mother/baby telehealth company, and develops content for various nursing sites and fellow healthcare providers.

All About Physician Assistants Career Opportunities
by Robert Litton

Physician assistants career opportunities are many. In fact, this type of job is in high demand and offers many benefits. Here is information on what it takes to become a PA or physician assistant.

A doctor assistant is usually working with or under the supervision of the doctor. They may find themselves examining patients in a normal doctor office environment. The assistant can diagnose and treat patients and can order many kinds of diagnostic procedures. Assistants also can administer prescriptions. This kind of medical professional may apply stitches or help patients with prosthetics or casts. They work in many different specialties and also find employment in hospital and clinical environments.

You will similarities with PA duties and those of the nurse practitioner (NP) or advance practice registered nurse (APRN). Some of the differences are due to certain state regulations and laws. Both PA and nurse practitioner can take care of patient needs and this includes examination and treatment. The main difference is the assistant is usually working under a doctor’s supervision. A nurse practitioner can work alone in some states. Nurse practitioners are required to be registered nurses but it is not mandatory for assistants.

Perhaps you are thinking about a PA career. You are going to need a lot of education and on the job training. If you have an associate degree you can begin training. However, those with bachelor or even master degrees may find it much easier and less time consuming. You will take medical courses like pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. There are no set prerequisites for training as it depends on one’s previous qualifications. For instance, registered nurses or certified paramedics may begin training and they will have different requirements than others.

It is best to have a master degree but not necessary in all cases. Whatever training you take it has to be approved by the ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant). Your training will include working with patients, and you may need to rotate your duties with periodic supervisor evaluations required.

Once you finish your training you will get your license, and this means taking and passing the Physician Assistant Certifying Exam or PANCE. It is a test with multiple choice questions on subjects like surgical procedures, anatomy, and diagnostics. Once you pass the exam you will be required to take continuing education courses and re-certify occasionally.

Your new job as a doctor assistant will be high paying and have some very good benefits. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistic (2010) reports that median wages for a physician assistant is about $86,410 per year. These wages can vary and may be down around $57,000 or up to as much as $118,000 a year.

The future outlook for PA jobs is excellent. This type of employment is expected to increase by thirty percent in the next decade. Many doctors are choosing specialties and this will create a greater need for primary care assistants in health care. As the population continues to grow and age, there should be a large increase in physician assistants career opportunities.

Want more information on Jobs for Physician Assistants? If so check out Physician Assistant Jobs

Things To Know About Physician Assistant Jobs
by Litton Resource Group

Physician assistant jobs are becoming more common than in the past. Many hospitals are interested in cutting costs and an experienced PA can perform many of the duties of a doctor. It takes a great deal less money and time to study for a PA job than going to medical school for many years. However, more people are checking into PA positions and this means increased competition. Here are a few things to know if you are considering this type of career.

Each year, enrollment in PA programs continues to rise, as more physician assistant jobs become available. This brings on greater competition as many colleges only have so many vacancies. When openings are fewer and applicants are greater, the prerequisites become more difficult.

Those interested in a PA career should pay close attention to grade point averages. Most programs want a 3.0 average for acceptance and some are as high as 3.6 or greater. Your test scores will be of great importance as will the quality of your credits. You cannot have too many science credits like biology, chemistry, and anatomy. In fact, they should be considered as elective courses.

Serious PA students should be working in health care with several years of experience. This is an invaluable aid for those that wish to become doctor assistants. Higher learning facilities consider experienced health care workers as much as academically gifted students, when looking at applicants.

Your experience working with patients is important because it carries over to your PA training. You will need a great deal of clinical time to finish your education. If you have a lot of experience in health care it gives a decided edge over many others seeking training or employment. One of the best ways to gain valuable experience is to take part-time jobs at clinics, doctor offices, or hospitals, during summer break. After school work is another way to earn extra money and add to your resume.

If you are planning to attend one of the better learning institutions, they will consider all of your achievements. The more volunteer work you have, the more impressive it may be. Many colleges are impressed with students that have extensive community service. This is a good way to be separated from the average student.

Before you decide to become a doctor assistant, it is best to get a feel for the job. If possible, spend time with physician assistants in actual working conditions. You may be able to assist a medical professional in some kind of volunteer capacity. Any time that you spend gives you the chance to gain experience and helps with your career choices. This is important for choosing a specialty.

Once you begin work as a PA you will enjoy a high paying job and many related benefits. Employment in health care will see strong growth in the future. You will find physician assistant jobs in many specialty fields. Maybe you are a few years away from graduation. This is all the more reason to study hard and get as much on the job experience as you can. It will greatly assist you in the future.

Jobs available for Physician Assistant….Find our more Physician Assistant Jobs

Physician Assistants Are Highly Trained Professionals
by Robert Litton

There have been dramatic changes in the medical industry over the past few decades. The time-honored concept of creating a solo practice has been overtaken by the need for medical center teams, or related groups of doctors. Fewer new physicians choose general family practices, opting instead for specialization. These changes and others created the need for physician assistants, who handle many of the routine problems patients bring to the office.

Training programs for this job category began during the mid-1960s. At that time, the United States suffered from an uneven distribution of qualified medical personnel, actually leaving some areas of the country nearly without established medical facilities or doctors. Military medical specialists were the first participants, and their return to the civilian health care field was based on training practices established during the Second World War.

Today, most doctors rely heavily upon the work of similar aides. A modern medical office must remain in business by providing cost-effective care that moves people in and out efficiently. Medical support personnel are integral in making this process work in a professional, but patient-oriented manner. While some people might wonder why they are seeing an assistant rather than the actual doctor, the reasons soon become apparent.

The individuals doing these jobs are fully licensed health care professionals. They are allowed to make critical medical decisions under the supervision of their team leader, and can essentially practice medicine with certain limitations. They have the ability to conduct physical examinations, order any necessary tests, provide advice on preventive practices, and assist during surgery.

They may also now legally write prescriptions in all states. In reality, assistants today often handle many routine appointments that were typically completed by a doctor in the past. Complicated or unusual cases, however, are nearly always referred to specialists, or the supervising physician. While these aides are well qualified, limits to the scope of treatment that they are allowed to provide vary by state.

Becoming an assistant is not a casual undertaking. A bachelor’s degree is standard, in addition to completion of a thorough medical training program. Education is based on a model similar to that used in traditional doctor training, and the initial courses last two to three years. Many students go on to participate in graduate programs ultimately leading to a master’s degree, or to earn doctorates in related medical fields.

Graduation is the first step toward official certification. The process confirms that all required courses have been successfully completed, in addition to passing a basic test given by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, which represents workers in several different medical categories. In addition, every two years assistants must complete 100 hours of continuing education, as well as repeating the certification test after six years.

The modern relationship between physician assistants and doctors is that of a team. The current medical system is often overworked and understaffed, with few same-day visits available. A highly trained assistant makes it possible to schedule and keep appointments in a more timely fashion, in addition to rapidly receiving necessary tests, x-rays or medications. When necessary, treatment can be handed over to the actual doctor on call.

To find out more about Physician Assistant jobs in your area check out physician assistant jobs

Increased Opportunities For Nurse Practitioner Jobs
by Litton Resource Group

Those seeking nurse practitioner jobs should enjoy many
benefits in the coming years. Registered nurses will have an
abundance of exciting opportunities in this line of work.
Here is additional information about your career as a nurse
practitioner or NP.

In order to obtain an NP position you must have training
and experience in nursing. In fact this position is for
nurses that wish to advance their careers in health care.
Beginning students will need considerable training in the
nursing industry. Students may wish to begin with an
Associate’s Degree in nursing and then work toward their
BSN, which is a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. There also are
special RN programs to consider, as an RN qualification and
a Master’s Degree are essential.

If you are a certified RN, your path to becoming an NP will
not be too difficult. It may take as long as two years of
study and work, and you may need to work in a clinical
environment. Once you become a certified NP the
certification is good for 5 years. However, if do not have
RN certification, you will have to obtain it before taking
an NP program, unless you enter a special program.

An NP is sometimes referred to as an advance practice
registered nurse or APRN. The NP treats patients for a
variety of disorders and can give physical examinations. An
NP can order and interpret diagnostics and can prescribe
treatment and medications. They perform duties that are
similar to physicians.

If you become an APRN you may wish to be a primary care
provider or you can become a specialist. Perhaps you enjoy
working with children or maybe you would like to work with
cancer patients. Nurse practitioner jobs deal with disease
prevention and the health of patients, and educating them on
the many aspects of better health. You also can become a
midwife or a certified anesthetist that performs
anesthesiology duties.

Working conditions for the APRN are determined by the
specialty that one plans to enter. For instance, if one is
working as a neonatal or acute care NP, it will be in a
hospital environment. This may include working long hours or
rotating shift duty. One also may need to be on call in case
of emergency situations. Many NP positions are in
comfortable indoor environments. Work is similar to a doctor
that sees patients in an office type practice. This job
usually is during normal business hours except for
emergencies.

Pay is very good for nurse practitioner jobs. Your income
will depend on the location and specialty that you choose to
work. For instance, pay rates may be higher in one part of
the country. Online sources for median NP income range from
$91,000 to $96,000 annually. However it is not uncommon for
an experienced NP to make an yearly income of six figures.

If you plan to become an APRN you will have many employment
advantages. There are so many positions available that you
can live in any major city and still find employment. Growth
for nurse practitioner jobs is expected to be strong for
many years, and employers will offer excellent benefits to
attract medical professionals.

See the Top 5% of Jobs
For Nurse Practitioners

Making the most out of your career opportunities can only be done when you have the skills employers are demanding. With training and certification you will be able to make use of the many physician assistant jobs that are currently available. A better salary can be just the start when it comes to the benefits that you may be able to enjoy.

Working a low paid and thankless job can have few upsides. If you are in a position that is not able to sufficiently challenge you or offer you the rewards you need in terms of how you feel about your career it could be time to find a solution. With the right training you can make use of options that you might never have dreamed of. Learning more about them would be a wise move for someone in your situation.

Ensuring that you have needed skills for today’s job market will keep you in demand even when the economy is suffering. Choosing a career in medicine will give you plenty of advantages and opportunities that other career paths are simply unable to provide. Making full use of the options out there will only be a possibility when you have done sufficient research into them.

A thankless or tedious task at work can be just as challenging as dealing with a weak wage or salary. With the chance to work with people in need directly giving them the care and treatment that makes a real difference you may find yourself feeling very differently about your next job. With a more rewarding and challenging workplace you can find more enjoyment than just what a larger paycheck offers.

With opportunities for more career advancement in the future finishing your training program can be just the start of your future options. Choosing to go back to school once you have more medical experience in order to seek more money or more responsibility will be other options that should not be discounted. Finding the job of your dreams can offer you all of this and more.

Searching for and choosing the training you need in order to find the job you are interested in would be the first step taken. Once you have a better picture of what options you can make use of doing so will be far easier. Missing out on the best training can mean you start your new career on the wrong foot.

With online resources able to direct you towards the information that can make a real difference it would be the obvious place to begin your search. Finding out basic information for a range of different programs will give you what you need to ensure your career choice is the best one possible. From there the sky can be the limit in terms of what you can expect once you finish your training program.

Making better use of career training can result in easy access to highly sought after physician assistant jobs. Making a better wage for yourself and your family can only be possible when you have marketable skills. Missing out on this opportunity can find you stuck in the same job for another year.

If you want to pursue a health-care career, you may want to consider various nurse practitioner jobs. This line of work can be general or highly specialized, depending on your interests. Doctor’s offices are a common place to find practitioners working in this type of nursing, but they also can serve in different settings.

With this level of accreditation, you can perform a significant number of tasks in a doctor’s office or to help a medical specialist in a certain line of treatment. This type of nurse can diagnose and treat his or her own patients. Doctors in the office also can consult in a patient’s case, but the nurse typically makes the decisions in the patient’s care.

Patients may think this type of practitioner is a doctor because the job appears to have similar duties. This type of nurse can talk with a patient and review their medical care, perform a brief exam and order testing if necessary for further treatment or to monitor an issue. He or she also can write prescriptions for the patient as needed.

You can have your own group of patients, like a doctor, and may feel like you have more control of your career in this type of nursing. You can help teach the patients more about health care. You also may serve as supplemental care for a patient if they see you in between regular appointments with their primary care doctor.

Practitioner accreditation can open doors for different types of employment. There may be pediatric or family care opportunities for you. This level of accreditation also may help you gain work as a midwife, serving pregnant women in a clinic. If your interest is in working with seniors or elderly patients, you may specialize with more education and training to work in gerontology.

There are many medical careers beyond a general practitioner’s office for this type of work. You may work in cancer treatment or have a career in pulmonology or cardiology. You may find yourself working with patients in these areas to help them with their treatment plans. If you are interested in working in a hospital, you can explore a nursing career at practitioner level in anesthesiology to work with surgical patients.

Advancement and expanded job opportunities may be possible for you in these careers. You typically will go for advanced certification to attain this level of nursing. What you may earn in this field of work will depend on a job’s location, your education and experience and the work itself. Doctoral degrees in this field can allow you to go for more specialized, complex jobs.

The need for people in nurse practitioner jobs may grow as the general population becomes older. Doctor’s offices, government or nonprofit work or hospitals are all areas that may add to the demand for this position. You can have the freedom in these careers to interact with patients and set your course for your career. You may find yourself advancing with a higher earning potential through more training and experience.