General Article

Deciding What School to Attend

In this day and age education is one of the most important characteristics a business will look for in an applicant applying for a job. More students are going back to school than every before. Due to technology advancement, online education is becoming more and more popular for adults going back to school. There are so many degree programs out there both online and on campus. It is very important to do a lot of research when deciding what program and school to attend. First, think about what you want to do for a living. Do you want to be a nurse, own a business, or become an attorney? This is very important because many times depending on what your undergraduate degree is in; it will help indicate your future career path. Meaning if you get a bachelor’s in business management you will likely work in a corporate setting as a sales professional, marketing manager, or mid-level supervisor. On the other hand, if you get your bachelor’s in nursing, you will likely become a nurse at a hospital once you graduate.

Once you choose your major, it is time to decide which school you should attend. Will you attend classes online or on campus? Will it be a local school or will you move out of state? There are many factors to consider. Some of the most popular questions are price, timeframe, payment options, and school rankings. All of these are very important to students. Cost is usually more important to adults going to back to school. They have a better concept of money and know what paying pack a loan is like. For traditional students, cost is usually not as important. Traditional students usually have scholarships, receive grants, or their parents are helping them fund their education. At the bachelor’s level timeframe is typically about four years. But, at the graduate level it can range from 12-24 months. This is important for an adult looking to change careers, get a raise, or apply for an advanced position. They need to find a school that fits what they are looking to accomplish. A school ranking is another thing to consider. Is the school a top 200 school? Are they a well known state University? Sometimes even more important, how does the specific program rank against others. Are you trying to graduate from a top 10 business school? Employers will definitely take school ranking into consideration when interviewing applicants.…

CPR Certification – 4 Reasons Why It Is So Important

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is given when the breathing of a person has stopped and the blood circulation has been impeded due to a cardiac arrest or any other problem. In such a situation you will first have to check the pulse and signs of breathing and accordingly revive the circulation and breathing by administering chest compressions and also mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, if required.

Circulatory and breathing issues can threaten life and it requires a certain level of knowledge and skill if you are to stabilize the person till further medical assistance comes to the rescue. The below mentioned points will tell you exactly why a CPR certification course is so important in today’s’ times.

• Medical Facts: Various studies conducted by premier organizations of the country like the American Heart Association and American Red Cross reveal that more than 3,00,000 people suffer cardiac arrest each year with a majority of cases taking place at home suddenly without any symptoms. Furthermore the survival rates when the incident takes place outside the hospitals are dismally low. However these studies go on to say that many lives can be saved by the timely administration of CPR. In light of these statistics healthcare organization throughout the country try to highlight the importance of knowing CPR and also recommend courses of different levels for all.

• Quick Application: The crux of CPR lies in its quick administration to prevent any permanent damage to vital organs due to lack of circulation and stabilizing the person before reaching the hospital. However, it is easier said than done, because when such an emergency situation actually arises you are likely to experience a slight hesitation and wonder if you will be able to administer CPR properly, and also be worried of causing further harm. Any such uncertainty can result in losing precious time and this is where prior training helps. A CPR course will teach you to identify emergency situations where CPR will be required. Training for different scenarios will ensure that when faced with a real life situation you will be ready to spring into action without any lapses.

• Techniques: CPR involves addressing two of the most vital and delicate organs in the body; namely the heart and brain. Gauging the situation poorly or applying excessive pressure will do more harm than good. It is also a fact that there are many people who cannot say for sure if they can sense a pulse or not. CPR course will teach you the correct techniques to determine the need for CPR and also the different approaches that are required when dealing with adults, children and infants.

• Professional and Personal: While a CPR certification is mandatory in a number of professions it can be useful in a personal capacity too. About 80% of cardiac problems take place at home; knowledge of CPR can thus help you to save the life of a loved one.

Now you know how CPR can be a major factor to help in survival during emergencies and how a suitable certification can come in handy for you.…

How Women Give Away Their Power

Alice Walker said “the most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Women in particular tend to fall into this trap. Even an accomplished, successful professional can at times doubt herself, self-sabotage in subtle ways, and back away from opportunities without knowing why.

I’ve learned a new appreciation for the complexity of women and power. Women have their own sources of strength and skills, and are more ambitious than ever. We are claiming more influence in business, politics, and leadership, even if there is still much to do. And yet, many women also do, say, and believe things that diminish their personal power. Sometimes we do not claim it as fully as we could.

The following is a list of some of the ways women deny their power and influence, consciously or unconsciously:

Not asking for what you want or need – Don’t assume that others know what you want, or that they will make it a priority, unless you tell them. In particular, ask early, before you become resentful.

Self-limiting thoughts and actions – Examine your beliefs closely and identify any negative self-talk; also be on the lookout for self-sabotaging actions such as self-doubt, indecision, procrastination, and perfection paralysis.

Letting yourself be pigeon-holed – Related to the previous item, this one is about letting others limit or define you. Make sure you manage your image and personal brand (what you’re known for) so others don’t do it for you.

Thinking small – Let yourself dream big; in fact, insist upon it and make time to do it. What would you be or do if you thought as big and bold as you could, and didn’t accept any limitations?

Language choices – Pay attention to your choice of words. Make note of words such as “just,” “only,” “sorry,” “apologize,” “might,” and other phrases that smack of a lack of conviction or confidence, or indicate you are deferring to others when you don’t need to.

Body language – This is a tricky one because we are not always aware of how we hold our bodies or what our physical demeanor communicates to others. Some actions that may decrease your influence are crossing your arms, slouching, slumping, not making eye contact, visible tension or nervousness, etc.

Ignoring politics – In my experience, women far more than men tell me “I hate office politics and I don’t want to play those games.” Not liking the politics of a situation is fine, as long as you are not sticking your head in the sand and trying to ignore that they exist and influence things. Pay attention, look for patterns, and beware the vipers.

Not valuing yourself – Know your value, both in monetary terms and intrinsically. Don’t feel guilty about charging what you’re worth, negotiating for a better compensation package, or insisting on respect.

Disconnecting from “self” – When we deny who we are and what gives us energy and joy because we are afraid of how it will look, or whether we will fit in, we are suppressing our own creativity and brilliance. For example, don’t try to dress like or be “one of the guys” if it’s not who you really are – if you’re feminine, then be feminine. Embrace who you are, even the quirks — own them as a valuable part of you.

Do you recognize yourself in aspects of this list? Are there other ways you see yourself or other women giving away their power?…

Medical Professional Career Education Opportunities and Courses

The medical industry is filled with a variety of professionals from entry-level assistants to hospital administrators. Medical professional career education opportunities and courses offer students a wide range of programs that give them the opportunities to step into many careers. Students can gain the appropriate skills needed to become medical professionals by completing programs related to their goals.

Vocational colleges offer certificate, diploma, and associates degree programs. The undergraduate training received is applicable to careers as assistants and technicians inside many medical professions. The coursework completed typically focuses exclusively on career related skills. Within associates degree programs some general education courses like English and science are worked through to give students a broader knowledge base. The educational opportunities offered in this field are numerous so students should research options. Common concentration areas include:

*Dialysis Technology

Students learn to work with patients that suffer from renal failure or commonly referred to as kidney disease. This disease produces an excess of harmful wastes in the blood stream. Training focuses on all of the procedures used to perform dialysis, which removes the excess fluids from the body. Most programs for this career field are completed at the certificate level of training.

*Medical Assisting

Training opportunities for this area of the field typically require students to complete associates degree programs. Students learn to perform a variety of duties including clerical work and clinical care. Professionals assist physicians and nurses by keeping the day-to-day operations of a practice running smoothly. Filing records and scheduling appointments are some common clerical duties conducted. Taking vital signs and preparing patients for examinations are some clinical areas performed.

*Phlebotomy

This clinical career opportunity has professionals extracting blood from patients for a variety of reasons. A wide skill set is learned inside educational training, which includes injecting fluids, administering medications, and collecting blood specimens. Associate’s degree programs are the educational standard for this field. Students enter the profession understanding several concepts such as blood banking and hematology.

*Clinical Lab Assistant

This health care training covers the essential knowledge needed to work inside medical and research based labs. By learning the different procedures performed inside the industry students can perform several tasks. Translating terminology, understanding abbreviations, testing specimens, managing quality control factors, and working with patients are all career related skills learned inside training. Many students enter the field after first completing certificate programs.

The curriculum for each field will change according to the professional goal. For example, the core courses inside a clinical lab assistant program include subjects on health care, medical terminology, and diagnostic testing. Inside a phlebotomy program students learn about the field through courses on clinical biology, urinalysis, coagulation, and anatomy.

Students that enter accredited programs will find that curricula are specifically tailored to the area of the field they are pursuing, such as medical assisting or IV certification. Full accreditation is provided by agencies like the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools ( ) to medical professional schools and colleges that offer quality career training. To gain an education and enter a career in this capacity, students should research their options and complete programs that fit their needs.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at .

Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by .…

Fitness and Exercise Training Programs

If you are considering your college degree options, you may be thinking about fitness and exercise training programs. You can go many directions in this field. If you want action you could work for a sports team or train athletes for competitions, or you could be holding down the fort in the gym or even with clients in their home as a personal trainer. Many people find these active jobs to be the most satisfying. If you are a hard worker who’s passionate about helping people get fit and be the best athletes they can be, this could be the career for you.

Many jobs in the fitness and exercise field require degrees and expertise, although there are numerous jobs you can get by working your way up as well. If you want a higher paying job you will want at least an associate’s degree to work in the administrative side of things, a bachelor’s degree if you want a good personal training job or a master’s degree if you really want to go far and have the opportunity to teach as well. Sometimes fitness and exercise courses are offered as part of other degree plans, as adjuncts to undergrad or grad programs, or as standalone degrees in increasing numbers.

You can go after many different jobs with a fitness and exercise degree or certificate. The basic job field includes the participation, management and/or oversight of or in various systems in the fitness field. Your training may be focused towards overall health, kinesiology, sports management, recreation or you may be getting a certificate pertaining to a specific sport or activity.

One trend that is new to fitness and exercise training programs is an increased focus on versatility. By training students on the business side of things and giving them a broad overview of the knowledge needed for a wide range of jobs, graduates have more options and preparedness for the responsibilities that lie ahead. There are numerous training options to consider in the fitness and exercise field. Local colleges or online schools can provide more information if you’re interested.…

Whether you’re going through a big change or simply want to slow down a bit, it’s helpful to know how to comfort yourself. Modern life is fast-paced and intense. While there are countless ways to get away and calm yourself down, consider the following soothing ideas. Each of them will help you feel encouraged and reassured.

1. Read

Books are a time-honored comfort. Find the type of books that suit you now; what made you feel better a few years ago might be different in this season of life. If you’re wanting to feel more connected to how others have overcome hard times, reach for a memoir. Not sure where to look? Do a search using terms such as memoirs about childhood trauma to find useful suggestions.

2. Walk

Get out into nature if you can. Walking in a beautiful natural setting is one of the most powerful ways to ground and comfort yourself. Pick a pace that works for today; you might be feeling different than you did yesterday.

3. Befriend

Keep it simple. Find a person or an animal to simply be present with. You don’t have to accomplish anything together unless you want to. In this pressure-free environment, you’ll notice your breathing and heart rate slowing down as you sink into a relaxed state. Companionship is comforting.

4. Savor

Slow down enough to savor your environment. Use all five of your senses to get yourself into the present moment and out of the bind of stressful thinking. It can be especially enjoyable to do this when you’re eating. Try taking smaller bites, chewing slowly, and thoroughly enjoying the flavor and texture of each dish.

Comforting yourself involves self-awareness and the willingness to slow down and try something new. Consider these ideas to feel calmer and more connected.…

EMT Certification Requirements – Understanding the Process

Whether you are considering pursuing a career as an EMT after high school or you are planning to make a career change, it is important that you understand all about the EMT Certification Requirements so you are able to meet them. There is a process you must go through for certification and having a working knowledge of this process can definitely be a huge help.

Before Entering the Program

First, you need to prepare to enter a program for EMT training. Certain requirements must be met before you will be accepted in a program. You will need to have your GED or high school diploma to get into one of these programs. Also, you will need to pass a background and criminal record check as well. Usually you will be required to show your immunization records before you are accepted in a program. A current certificate in CPR is also a requirement.

Formal Training and Certification Process

Once you have met the requirements to start a program, then you will need to go through your formal training and the process for certification. It’s important to realize that there are three levels of emergency medical technicians. This includes the EMT Basic level, the EMT Intermediate Level, and the Paramedic Level.

When you begin taking the first level of education, you’ll find that the primary focus of your education will be based on knowing human anatomy, CPR, understanding first aid, doing physical damage assessment, doing physical exams, splint applications, controlling blood loss, and taking vital signs. Once you complete the certification program for EMT Basic, then you can submit an application to take the NREMT test. This test is done on a computer and it focuses on what you learned in your course, including cardiology, emergency services basics, trauma care, and more. Once this test is past, then you will need to re-certify every two years. If you decide to go on and receive a higher certification level, then being employed as an EMT will be one of the further EMT Certification Requirements.

Reaching the Next Level

Once you have your certificate as an EMT Basic, you then can take even more class work and then another exam that will allow you to become certified at the EMT Intermediate Level. This class work will involve training that is more in depth on topics like using defibrillators, advanced intubation, and other more advanced life saving techniques. Lectures and clinical training and both involved and students at this level learn to execute certain procedures under physician direction. Students also learn how to administer medications intravenously at this level. All the information learned at the Intermediate Level is based on the basics learned at the Basic Level of training.

There is still one more level that you may wish to achieve after becoming certified as an EMT. The final level is the paramedic level. When it comes to emergency medicine, this is the highest level that can be attained. The training needed to become a paramedic will include administering meds, reading EKGs, starting IV lines, and more extensive learning on critical care, elderly care, and trauma. Some of the coursework that will be required at this level includes cardiology, gastroenterology, facial trauma, toxicology, pathophysiology, communications, and infectious diseases.…