7 Career Options for Those with a Pre-Med Background

Posted on May 18, 2023May 18, 2023 by Joseph Gerard

Female Doctor Standing At The Hospital With A Digital Tablet

Written by Berry College Team

Pre-medicine (pre-med) programs allow students to develop a foundation in natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology. As pre-med is not a major, those in this educational track may be classified under another major of their choosing. It’s common for pre-med students to choose a natural science major to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

What is Pre-Med?

Pre-med is not a major.

Pre-med is an educational track taken by students interested in applying to medical school after earning their bachelor’s degree. Pre-med students typically major in related fields such as biology or biochemistry. They can also major in seemingly unrelated fields such as philosophy, languages, or sociology.

Berry College’s Pre-Med program provides insight into the medical and liberal arts aspects of medicine to create well-rounded professionals.

Finding ways to incorporate additional passions into your pre-med program could lead you towards a rewarding career in healthcare. However, pre-med programs allow students to choose a major best aligned with their goals upon graduation.

Career Options for Pre-Med Students

Acceptance rates vary significantly between medical schools. However, on average, 43% of medical school applicants were accepted during the 2021-2022 application cycle. Luckily, pre-medicine programs provide a background which can be applied to other fields in healthcare.

Pre-medicine programs focus primarily on natural sciences. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of disciplines in medicine and allied health careers.

An understanding of natural science can be beneficial for fields such as:

Dentistry

Dentists are experts in conditions, diseases, and treatment for issues relating to a patient’s jaw, mouth, teeth, and gums. They’re in charge of teeth extraction, examining X-rays, and performing procedures to help maintain oral health. They write prescriptions, develop treatment plans, and educate patients on maintaining proper oral hygiene between visits.

To become a dentist, you’ll need to:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural sciences are helpful)
Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Earn your Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree
Complete residency
Earn your board certification

Orthodontists are dentists with additional training in orthodontics to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental irregularities. They also treat facial irregularities such as overbites and gaps between teeth with braces, retainers, and other devices.

To become an orthodontist, you’ll need to:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural sciences are helpful)
Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Earn your Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree
Complete residency
Earn your board certification

Optometry

Optometrists take the role of a primary eye care provider. They’re in charge of examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions such as nearsightedness and astigmatism. They also perform comprehensive eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses and contact lenses.

Optometrists are also in charge of detecting and managing conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. If these conditions worsen, patients may be referred to an ophthalmologist, medical doctor specializing in eye and vision care.

To become an optometrist, you’ll need to:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural science are helpful)
Take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
Earn your Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree
Earn experience or complete residency
Earn your board certification

Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat more complex eye conditions, perform surgeries, and prescribe medication. They can narrow their specialty further by working in pediatrics or with specific conditions such as glaucoma or retinal detachment.

To become an ophthalmologist, you’ll need:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural science are helpful)
Pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Complete residency program in ophthalmology
Earn your board certification

Biotechnology

Medical biotechnologists use live cells and biological materials to develop treatments such as vaccines and anti-viral medicines. They may also help develop precision medicine to provide customized patient care according to their genetic makeup.

Regenerative therapy, or gene therapy, is also a focal point for medical biotechnologists. They aim to repair or replace mutated genes with healthy ones to treat potentially life-threatening diseases.

Many biotechnology careers require a strong background in biology, chemistry, and other natural sciences. Additionally, pre-med programs often include courses in genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Pre-med courses provide a broad understanding of these subjects which lays a solid foundation for a career in biotechnology.

To become a medical biotechnologist, you’ll need to:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural science are helpful)
Gain lab research experience
Pursue a graduate degree in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, or a related field

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

As a Doctor of Medicine (MD), you’ll diagnose, prevent, and treat physical or mental health conditions. You’ll conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and perform surgeries. MDs may specialize in surgical fields and master their techniques through rigorous training, residencies, and fellowships.

MDs with surgical specialties also diagnose, treat, and manage conditions. MDs without surgical specialties are still trained to perform minor surgeries such as suture removals, draining cysts, and more. You may also recommend lifestyle changes to improve your patient’s overall health and wellbeing.

MDs can incorporate additional interests into their career by specializing in dermatology, cardiology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and more.

To become an MD, you’ll need to:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural science are helpful)
Pass the MCAT
Complete an MD program
Pass both parts the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE)
Complete residency
Earn your board certification

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

DOs take a holistic approach to medicine. These doctors take a patient’s body, mind, and emotions into consideration as they diagnose and treat patients. They use techniques such as massage therapy, spinal manipulation, and articulation to treat conditions.

Like MDs, DOs may also incorporate additional interests into their careers through specialties such as pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and more.

To become DO, you’ll need to:

Earn a bachelor’s degree (major can vary, but courses in natural science are helpful)
Pass the MCAT
Complete a DO program
Complete residency
Pass a licensing exam of your choice
Earn your board certification

Both MDs, and DOs, can practice internal medicine, general medicine, or primary care. Internal medicine doctors, or internists, focus on diagnosing and treating conditions in adults. An internist provides comprehensive medical care for complex chronic conditions.

General medicine covers everything from internal medicine to primary care. Those in general medicine treat broad illnesses as they aren’t limited to one specialty. If a condition becomes too severe, they refer patients to specialists for additional, specialized treatment.

Primary care medicine focuses on the overall health and well-being of patients. They handle physical exams, prescribing medication, health screenings, and treatment for minor illnesses or injuries. Those in primary care are typically a patient’s first point of contact for their health concerns.

In Summary

Pre-med education provides a strong foundation in the natural sciences, which can provide a certain degree of career flexibility. While pre-med students may choose a career in medicine, their scientific background and skills are valuable in other fields. This can provide students with a variety of career options, allowing them to choose the path best aligned with their interests.

Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Certificate Programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.

AIHCP Certification Video on What is Certification

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Certification is often a misused word. License, degree and certification are different type of professional and academic awards. It is important to understand how certification helps one’s professional career.

Please review AIHCP’s Certification Programs and see if they meet your professional goals and needs. The programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking four year certification in various professional fields in healthcare.

Please review the video below

AIHCP Certification Programs Article on Licensure vs Certification

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

In the world of academics and professional business there are academic and professional titles that associate with a person’s ability and knowledge. Many times, these terms are misused or confused with each other and inter placed with each other. This can cause some confusion in the business world and it is important to have a clear understanding what terms mean what and how they are applied to one’s resume or curriculum vitae.

Academic and professional titles can be confusing and terms can be inter placed with each other. Please also review AIHCP’s Certification Programs and see if they meet your academic and professional goals

The first academic accolade is a degree. A degree is issued by a college or university that has regional approval under the umbrella of the Department of Education. Regional accreditation means a school meets the standards to offer a degree program from a sanctioned authority. It ensures the value of the degree and prevents one from receiving a false degree from a diploma mill. One can earn an under-graduate degree or a bachelors degree from a certain school with a major in a certain study. If one wishes to pursue higher academic goals, one can earn a graduate degree, known also as a Masters Degree, or if one wishes to proceed to the highest point of a particular study, one can earn a doctorate degree.

Those who teach can have a graduate degree or a doctorate degree. One who has a doctorate at a university though is not a professor. Professorship is a professional status granted to the highest members of a department. Associate professor is a lower status behind professor. Many teachers are sometimes mistakenly referred to as professor.

Certain degrees grant an individual access to state licensure in certain fields. Counseling, law, medicine and teaching all require a college degrees in most cases. Nursing does not require a degree but physicians, lawyers, counselors and teachers all must pass the state board exam to become licensed. Licensure is regulated by the state and one cannot operate without a license from the particular state to operate in the particular field.

Certification is an additional status that becomes confused with licensure on a daily basis. Certification is a professional status for those who are licensed, or have the appropriate education via degree or experience. Certification does not fall under state regulation nor does it fall under accreditation. Certification instead is conferred upon individuals through professional organizations. Certification guidelines can vary from organization to organization.

Licensures for nurses are regulated by the state but specialty areas that are not licensed can be merely certifications. Please also review AIHCP’s Certification Programs

A certification is in a non regulated field and is completely voluntary by the professional. The certification adds to the existing curriculum vitae of a professional with status and recognition of applied knowledge in a specialty field. Many times employers require certifications in certain job positions. Certifications are meant to orbit one’s existing career that is highlighted with one’s degree and license. It can open doors by itself but is not considered a first step in the academic and professional process. Hence those without degrees or experience or licensure usually do not earn professional certifications, but only those who are already established within a field and look to enhance their study and resume through membership with a professional organization.

A healthcare example for licensure and certification may look like this. A licensed nurse may look to become licensed in other healthcare fields, such as legal nursing or case management. These latter fields are not licensed fields by the state. Hence licensed nurses can earn additional certifications to diversify their professional skills and be more valuable to their employer with their various skill sets. This is the purpose of certifications for all fields.

AIHCP offers a variety of certifications for healthcare and mental healthcare professionals. Programs for nurses to enhance their nursing career as well as mental health topics such as grief counseling and stress management are available for counselors and others in teaching or pastoral ministry. In addition, AIHCP requires students to take continuing education courses to earn certification which in turn can be utilized as hours in some fields for re-licensure with their state. Hence counselors can earn CE credit within the Grief Counseling Program and nurses can earn credit through the variety of nursing programs in case management and legal nurse consulting.

There are a variety of programs and certifications offered by AIHCP. Please review AIHCP’s Certification Programs and see if they match your academic and professional goals. The programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals. The programs include for example, topics in Case Management, Legal Nurse Consulting, Forensic Nursing, Holistic Nursing, Nurse Patient Education, Health Management as well as Grief Counseling, Pet Loss Grief Counseling, Spiritual and Christian Counseling, Anger and Stress Management, Crisis Intervention, Clinical Hypnotherapy, EFT, Meditation Instructor, ADHD Consulting and Substance Abuse Counseling. Please review to see if any of these programs meet your academic and professional goals.

Nursing Certifications Video AIHCP

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Dominick Flarey

AIHCP offers a variety of nursing certifications for nurses and other healthcare professionals. Nursing has the unique element of diversity. One is able to go into a variety of different areas of healthcare as a nurse. Certifications can help a nurse diversify his or her career. AIHCP offers a variety of nursing certifications ranging from Case Management to Legal Nurse Consulting, as well as Forensic Nursing, Holistic Nursing, Healthcare Manager and Nurse Patient Educator.

Please review AIHCP’s various nursing certifications and see if any meet your academic and professional goals.

Healthcare Life Coach Program Article on Intensity in Exercise

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Dominick Flarey

Duration and intensity are two important aspects of exercise. Both have their particular benefits and both are important to overall health and optimal results when exercising. Both need to be utilized while working out or exercising for overall benefit.

Intensity is critical to beneficial exercise. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coach Program

The article, “Can 4 Seconds of Exercise Make a Difference?” by Gretchen Reynolds reviews the importance of intensity in exercising and analyzes a case study of intervals of 4 seconds of intensity within a one minute period. She states,

“In what is probably the definitive word on how little exercise we can get away with, a new study finds that a mere four seconds of intense intervals, repeated until they amount to about a minute of total exertion, lead to rapid and meaningful improvements in strength, fitness and general physical performance among middle-aged and older adults.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coach Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Healthcare Life Coach.

Tips for Healthcare Workers Wishing to Hone their Fitness

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Joseph Gerard

woman exercising By Lucy Peters

Compared to other professions, staff in some healthcare professions (for instance, nurses) have a six times higher prevalence of back pain. Tasks such as transferring patients and operating in awkward postures can cause lumbar tissue damage and back pain, but this is only one of many health risks associated with the health profession. Employees working in healthcare can also face high rates of stress and tiredness owing to factors such as long working hours, shift work, and working in times of risk (as is the case during the global health crisis). How can physical activity help quell stress and pain and reduce injury and how can healthcare workers ensure they get the recommended number of minutes of exercise per week?

Exercise Reduces Pain and Stress

As stated in a study by Ann-Kathrin Otto and colleagues, published in the journal BMJ, the efficiency of ergonomic training and exercise when it comes to reducing pain, is well-documented. Previous studies have shown that moderate exercises (including cardiovascular and stretching exercises) reduce musculoskeletal problems, boost muscular strength, and enhance cardiovascular fitness among nursing staff. Research published by the Mayo Clinic shows that employees in medical centers report high levels of stress. Of the many natural modes of quelling this stress, just a few found to be particularly effective include general physical activity, mindfulness-based activities such as yoga, and time spent in nature.

Exercise and the Immunity

A 2020 study by researchers at the University of Bath found that regular, daily exercise benefits one’s immunity, even during tough times. It helps the immune system “find and deal with pathogens, slowing down changes that happen to the immune system with aging.” Equally important is diet. Certain foods strengthen the immune system. These include healthy Omega-3 fats, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and probiotic and fermented foods. When you eat is equally important; the gut has a memory and when it is expecting food, it ramps up the activity of immune cells to attack incoming ‘bad bacteria’. Sticking to regular meal times ensures these cells are able to exercise their function.

Exercise at Work

Over 50% of employees report that they have little time to exercise because of their busy work and home lives. As stated in a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, one solution is to include more activity at work. In one study, ‘treadmill workstations’ – in which employees were made to work while walking, significantly increased fitness levels and BMI measurements. Another study assigned participants a mandatory activity of middle-to-high intensity workouts for around 2.5 hours a week during work hours. These incentives clearly need to be offered and organized by work organizations, but what can you do if your place of work does not adopt programs that boost employee fitness?

Individual Efforts

The key to making the most of the little time you may have is to do as much as you can. Did you know that running for just 15 minutes a day can reduce the risk of major depression by 26%? Official recommended guidelines stipulate that all individuals should complete at least half an hour of moderate intensity exercise every day. The good news is that these 30 minutes do not need to be continuous. That is, you can complete 10 minutes on your way to work, 10 minutes at lunchtime, and 10 minutes at the end of the day. You can also embrace activity in small but significant ways – including taking the stairs instead of the lift when you can. For extra health benefits, engage in vigorous activity (think cycling, jogging, or interval training) for half an hour at least three times a week. Vigorous exercise is particularly effective because it improves the efficiency of your heart and lungs, and more oxygen is delivered to your muscles.

Even if you are very inactive, becoming slightly more active can help you reap big benefits in terms of fitness and pain reduction. At the very least, aiming for around 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can help strengthen your cardiovascular system. So, too, can finding practical ways to be more active – including walking while working when possible, stretching throughout the day, and taking advantage of work breaks to be more active instead of taking a sedentary pause.

Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consultant Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program in online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals and Coronavirus Safety

Posted on March 12, 2020January 12, 2023 by Dominick Flarey

Please note this article was written in 2020, the information is most likely out of date. The relevant link has been redirected to the CDC’s homepage on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Thank you.

AIHCP staff.

There seem to be multiple over-reactions and under-reactions to the Coronavirus, known as COVID-19. On one side, we have individuals referring to it as a hoax and not lethal. They site the common flu kills more people. While this is true, it diminishes the reality of how dangerous the Coranavirus is. Secondly, we have individuals from the other extreme, preparing for a zombie apocalypse buying out toilet paper, water and basic needs.

The Coronavirus is far more deadly than the average flu but it affects primarily the elderly at a 2.5 to 3 percent death rate. Please also review our Healthcare Certification programs

The reality while not as bleak as the Black Death of the Dark Ages is still one that should not be underestimated. The Coronavirus unlike the common flu has a far more deadly death rate, ranging from 2% to 3.5%. Furthermore, it has a more deadly affect on the elderly. Those over 60 are at a far higher risk of serious illness and possible death. Anyone over 70 to 90 faces a even more daunting illness. While the common flu has killed more people, its death rate is .01% and has infected far more people. If the Coronavirus was able to run free and infect as many people, millions would die.

In retrospect, the 1920’s Spanish flu had a very similar death rate as Coronavirus and it infected over 500 million people, leaving millions dead. It was also a respiratory disease but unlike Coronavirus killed people also in their prime. The Spanish flu due to the time and medical advances as well as a killer of those in their prime was a far more terrifying flu than the present situation, yet if Coronavirus was allowed to spread like the Spanish flu, it would have a very similar death rate. This is something that we cannot permit as a society.

In response, we see travel restrictions. We see the suspensions of parades, sport venues and concerts. We see individuals practicing more caution with hand washing and masks. This may have negative effects on the economy but life is more important than dollars. Younger people need to realize that while the virus may effect them moderately, barely or maybe not all, there are still potential health risks as with any illness and cases of severity differ among young adults. They must also realize that spreading this virus to the elderly could be a death sentence to a parent or grand parent.

Unlike other flu, the Coronavirus has the ability to exist longer on flat surfaces for days instead of hours. It hence is very contagious and can be spread very easily. This is why it is so important for infected individuals to self quarantine and stop the spread of this illness. It is also important for individuals to wash their hands for over 20 seconds with the appropriate disinfectant soaps that have over 60 percent concentration of alcohol. Individuals need to wipe down counters, door knobs and steering wheels, as well as spray down certain areas of the home. When out in public, they need to wipe down grocery carts and wash their hands immediately upon returning home. Individuals must also keep unclean hands away from the face.

The article, “Steps to Prevent Illness on Coronavirus COVID-19” from the CDC gives clear and precise instructions on how to protect oneself and others from this virus. It states,

“There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.”

The article lists a variety of ways to protect oneself with informative charts and ways to prevent its spread. To review the article, please click here

In regards to symptoms, be on the look out for cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. The symptoms can vary in severity from age group or be dependent upon preexisting conditions. Some may have a slight episode while others may require hospitalization. With such a broad range of severity, one may wish to dismiss it but this would be a very dangerous attitude to employ considering the danger it can pose to others within the population. Furthermore, equally frustrating is the fact symptoms do not appear for up to nine days but the person can still be contagious.

To stop this pandemic, it is important to not to over react or under react. Appropriate response is necessary to avoid panic but also to stop its spread. By applying the standards set by the CDC and not the opinions of arm chair disease control experts, this situation can eventually become resolved but it will involve temporary life style changes and self sacrifice. This involves showing basic cold and flu courtesies while in public. Coughing into a tissue or one’s elbow, keeping hands clean and avoiding close proximity with individuals is critical in addition to the further preventative measures of wiping things down and avoiding public settings.

Basic cold and flu courtesies may not be enough to stem the tide of this contagious virus. Some may have to pursue more diligent measures, such as masks.

Please also review the many certifications offered by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals for healthcare professionals and behavioral health professionals. AIHCP has a variety of Healthcare Certification Programs that are useful to expand upon nursing and behavioral health fields. The programs are online and self paced independent study. They are open enrollment and the courses that lead to certification offer to some CE earning potential. If you meet the pre-requisites for the programs, then please review and see which ones can help enhance your career and academic and professional goals.

In the meantime, be safe and follow the proper procedures to protect thousands of others and yourself from the Coronavirus.

Nursing Certifications Article on Programs Offered by AIHCP

Posted on September 12, 2019January 11, 2023 by Dominick Flarey

The field of nursing is a very diverse field. While it is primarily thought of only a career of caring for patients in a hospital or primary practice, the opportunities go well beyond these basic nursing ideals. With so many opportunities, nurses find themselves in a unique position to branch their careers beyond the basic and into multi disciplined practices that can enhance their patient care or put them in entirely different situations aside from patient care.

Nurses have numerous opportunities to diversify their career through nursing certifications and licenses

Nurses first of all can enhance their careers through licensed specialties. Many of these specialties are licensed while some are only certified, but most require more advanced education that merely a RN license. Nurses who look to pursue higher positions and better wages usually must pursue their Bachelors in Nursing, and in some cases, their Masters in Nursing.

Some specialties that require higher education include neonatal nursing, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, and nurse anesthetist. Nurse practitioners in some states are able to even prescribe medication and see patients due to the high profile status of the position. Most usually work within a primary care facility. Nurse anesthetists are one of the highest paying nursing fields and deal with the administration of anesthesia. Nurse midwives deal with helping and aiding women through pregnancy. (1)

These positions increase annual wage considerably, with nurse practitioners earning over $100,000 a year and and nurse anesthetists earning over $160,000 a year. Nurse midwives earn slightly over $100,000 a year. As one can see these positions considerably increase the annual pay but come with more intense training and patient care. (2)

In addition to these positions, there are also pediatric nurses who care for children, critical care and trauma nursing, and also various titles within the nurse practitioner field, involving geriatrics, as well as psychiatric health nurse practitioner. Again all of these fields lead to far higher pay raises than the basic RN. (3)

Some positions do not require higher degrees but are merely certifications. Certifications differ from licenses. Certifications unlike licenses are not issued or regulated by the state but through an independent for profit or non profit professional organization. Certifications are not mandatory to operate but are are voluntary awards from a third party reputable organization that can verify a person’s excellence and knowledge within a certain discipline. Many healthcare professionals as well as nurses seek to utilize certifications as a way to validate their career and help them find a particular niche. The certifications are sometimes required by employers and help advance many nurses into specialized non licensed fields.

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals has sought to meet this certification demand, as well as CE demand of nurses by offering certification programs particularly designed for nurses. The programs are all online and for some nurses in various states, not only offer a certification, but also offer CE hours through the required courses to attain certification. The certifications are all four years and are renewable after that period. The courses to achieve certification are all online and independent study. This formula is beneficial to the working professional and affords them the necessary freedom and time to concentrate on their career while also completing course work towards their certification.

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers a wide variety of nursing certifications that do not require license. These programs are open to registered nurses. While an undergraduate is always preferred, one can enter these courses with only an RN license and achieve a professional certification that can serve them in their career.

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers a variety of healthcare and nursing certifications that can help enhance any nursing career

One of the most popular certification programs is the Healthcare Case Management Program. Consisting of five core courses, the nurse can complete this program easily within a few months if preferred and be able to operate in the field of Case Manager. As a Case Manager, the nurse will be able to coordinate patient information with various branches of care and also ensure that proper care in and after treatment is given to the patient.

Another popular program is the Legal Nurse Consulting Program. This program helps nurses learn how to take their bedside skills to the courtroom. In doing so, the nurse is able to combine medical procedural knowledge with legal case law and become an important party in legal malpractice cases, helping either the patient or defending the healthcare provider. The Legal Nurse Consultant is sometimes part of a legal team and offers expert testimony or behind the scenes with the legal team.

One program that is gaining more popularity is Forensic Nursing. This certified field trains nurses to deal with cases of rape and other crimes. The Forensic Nurse is able to aid the police and other law enforcement agencies in identifying key evidence in prosecuting criminals.

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals also offers a certification in Nurse Patient Educator. As a Nurse Patient Educator, a nurse is able to better educate patients about their diagnosis and also guide them through their treatment plans. In many ways, they can also ease the fears of many patients through education on what they are facing and what to expect. Numerous hospitals find this role to be very valuable in patient relations and also in follow up care.

Another program that is also growing popularity is Holistic Integrative Care Specialist. As a Holistic Nurse, one is able to guide patients with other alternative and holistic healing methods, while ensuring these methods do not interfere with any conventional medications the patient may be using. It is very dangerous for a person to pursue alternative methods without first consulting with a healthcare professional who understands both Eastern and Western medications. The Certified Holistic Nurse meets those needs.

Finally, The American Institute of Health Care Professionals has created its newest certification, the Healthcare Manager Certification for nurses. This program is designed for nurses who are seeking to become managers within their department. This program prepares them to enter into management and how to lead departments to success. This should not be confused with an healthcare executive position, but is only a healthcare manager position. With so much competition for advancement within the healthcare ladder, sometimes a certification in Healthcare Management can be the difference between one candidate and another in advancement.

With so many certifications offered by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, nurses have many different opportunities to diversify and enhance their careers

As one can see, healthcare professionals in nursing have an array of options to diversify their career and also earn thousands more. Through higher education, licenses, and in some cases, certifications as well, nurses can diversify and earn more than their basic base salary and duties offer. In seeing this, the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, has in the last 20 years answered that call and certified thousands into these fields.

If you would like to learn more about the nursing certifications offered by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, then please review our programs and see if they match your academic and professional goals.

Resources

https://nursejournal.org/community/20-best-nursing-career-specialties-for-the-future/
https://www.ameritech.edu/blog/highest-paying-nursing-specialties/

Healthcare Case Management Article on Health Insurance Costs

Posted on August 27, 2019January 11, 2023 by Dominick Flarey

Health Insurance can be expensive. Families spend millions each year in America on health insurance.

Cost of health insurance for a family is a big concern. Please also review our Healthcare Case Management program

The article, “Here’s how much a family with good health insurance spent last year” Megan Cerullo looks at annual averages for families and how much they pay.

The article states,

“The millions of Americans who have health insurance through their jobs are often viewed as fortunate, shielded from soaring medical costs as well as financial calamity if serious illness strikes. But the cost of those undeniable benefits is climbing—and fast.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Health insurance is a big issue for many families. It dominates elections and is a pivotal issue. How much a family pays is a big issue. Please also review our Healthcare certifications especially in Healthcare Case Management and see if it meets your academic and professional needs.

Healthcare Nursing Certifications Article on Treating Illegals

Posted on January 22, 2019December 21, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Good article for healthcare professionals regarding the care of illegal immigrants by physicians. All humans deserve respect and dignity in their care and even though undocumented, immigrants still need a standard of excellence in their care. How to go about this is addressed in this article.

How should healthcare providers treat and deal with undocumented immigrants? Please also review our healthcare nursing certifications

The article, “How can physicians care, and advocate for, undocumented immigrants?” from the American Medical Association states,

“About 11 million undocumented people are living in the U.S. today. This is one of the country’s most vulnerable populations because they frequently do not have access to health insurance and can be afraid to present for care. Physicians should understand the ethical issues that arise when supporting and caring for undocumented immigrants, refugees and asylees. Just as important, physicians and other health professionals should be aware of how to advocate for these patients, including through self-education, education of trainees, in the exam room and on Capitol Hill.”

To read the entire article, please click here

With the issue of illegal immigration being center stage in our nation, this will continue to be a subject in the healthcare sector. It is important that healthcare providers are up to date on their legal and ethical obligations. Please also review our Healthcare Nursing Certifications offered at AIHCP. The programs range from Nursing Case Management to Legal Nurse Consulting.