Answer:
You have identified one of the big trends in health care and in nursing.   Shorter acute care stays are resulting in increased demands for home health care workers.  Another factor is an aging population.  The Centers for Disease Control estimates that home care will grow by over 40% in the next five years. 

 Registered nursesare the team leaders in home health care.   RNs assess patient needs, develop care plans, coordinate care and referrals with other providers, supervise LPNs and aides in the home, and evaluate outcomes.  RNs often provide high tech specialized care in the home that in the past was done in the hospital.  Examples are the management of intravenous therapies, central lines, and ventilators.  Patients with diagnoses such as heart disease, diabetes, stoke, cancer, hypertension, and traumatic injury are commonly discharged to home care after their condition is stabilized.

Home care has advantages for patients (convenience and comfort), for nurses (relationships and information that improves outcomes), and for third party payers (lower costs).  Additional advantages for nurses are the opportunity to be more autonomous, and to more completely understand the family and cultural factors that impact patient care.  This high level of independent practice and assessment means that many nursing jobs in home care will require a BSN degree.  Providing patient education and advocating for patients are nursing roles that are important facets of home care.

Since your experience is in the hospital, you should be well prepared to handle procedures and technical measures, but you will need to adapt to the home setting.  Nurses working in the patient’s home need to be particularly respectful of the fact that they are guests as well as care providers.  Providing care in the home will require you to be flexible, resourceful, and creative.  Good  communication and cross cultural skills are a must.   You will also need to develop a knowledge of reimbursement systems and referral sources.

Other advantages of a move to home health care are likely to be the opportunity to have flexible hours, and to manage your own schedule. You will have opportunities to manage patient care from hospital discharge to completion and  to assist patients with recovery and regaining function.   By providing early identification and treatment of potential complications, home care nurses play an important role in preventing rehospitalization.  Patients frequently heal better, feel better, and have fewer infections with  care in their own home environment.

Nurses who work in home health are employed by agencies that may be owned and operated by the acute care hospital system.  Other agencies are non profit such as the Visiting Nurses Association.  Still others are privately owned and operated for profit agencies.  According to the VNA website,

… the history of visiting nurse agencies dates back to the 1880s in New York, where free nursing care was provided to the sickest and poorest who otherwise would not have access to healthcare. The influx of immigrants to the Northeast spurred several VNAs to emerge to address the increased prevalence of illness and infectious diseases, such as polio and small pox. Lillian Wald, the pioneer of public health nursing, advanced the principle that “Society benefits when healthcare is provided in the least costly and most comforting setting-most often the home.”

You are wise to consider joining this proud tradition of home care nurses!

Answer:
Good question! There are several scholarship, grants and loans that can provide extra money for your education, but if you are using the GI Bill and use the wrong funding sources, many of them can reduce the amount you receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Not only is using some of these funds counterproductive, it is not the best way to maximize your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Instead, consider using these tried and true tips on how to reduce your education costs while at the same time not reducing your GI Bill benefits:

1. Attend a community college for one or two years. Community college tuition costs can be substantially lower than most four-year colleges and universities. At the end of your community college experience, you can transfer to a four-year school to continue your studies.

2. Commute to college. While it is many college students’ dream to live away from home, it can be expensive doing so. If you are within a reasonable commuting distance, living at home while in school can save you as much as $6,000 per year, plus you still get the same amount of GI Bill housing allowance, even if your servicemember sponsor is still serving. If you can’t realistically live at home and commute everyday, look at doing most of your education through an online college where you don’t have to commute as much. Take just one class per semester that pertains to your degree plan on-campus with the rest of your classes online, and you can  still get the full housing allowance.

3. Use the DANTES Program. Find out if your school accepts College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) credits. If so, arrange to take the tests applicable to you. By passing these tests, you can get the college credits but you don’t have to pay for the courses. This leaves more entitlement on your GI Bill for other courses you do have to pay for.

4. Convert Your Military Experience into Credits. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates all military courses and Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and breaks them down into applicable college credits. By having your training and military jobs converted into credits, you can save entitlement by not having to take classes in the awarded subject areas. Be sure your school accepts prior military experience credits.

5. Be a Resident Advisor. Most residential colleges and universities hire resident advisors either per dorm or per floor depending on the size of the housing facility. In exchange for keeping the peace and handling residents’ problems, resident advisors can get either reduced room and board costs or in some cases free room and board.

6. Buy Used Books. You don’t need brand new books. Not only do they cost up to twice as much as used ones, you don’t get much in return when you sell them back to your school. Another trend catching on is to either buy or rent books from online book sellers such as Amazon.com. You can get either a hard copy or digital copy and read it on your computer or mobile device. If you buy a hard copy, you can sell it back to Amazon in exchange for a gift card that you can use to purchase more books. By either buying used or digital from Amazon, you can stretch your book stipend so less comes out of your pocket for book costs.

Using these six tips doesn’t reduce your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and some tips can even save you entitlement. Leftover entitlement allows you to start working on an advanced degree at some point in the future.

I work with high school drop outs (young adults) in a special job program. Some of these people want to take the GED and I want to help them in their goals. I heard some changes are coming in the GED? What are these changes? Will my group members be able to take the GED online?

Sincerely, Rafael

Answer:
Dear Rafael,

What great work you are doing to inspire, train, and uplift people who want to make a difference in their lives. Research does indeed show that getting a GED (high school diploma equivalency) makes a significant difference in options for jobs, readiness for college, and general earnings level. Getting a GED is almost always a good idea for the person who is ready to make the commitment.

Currently the GED tests are five subject areas– writing, reading, math, science, and social studies. A student takes the tests in an official testing site and it is very important that he or she prepare properly. Students prepare for the GED tests through local classes in community college or adult education centers, online preparatory classes or practice books. Please make sure that your students understand how critical it is to study these subject areas for the test.

You cannot currently take the GED online. Any website or company promising that you can is perpetrating a scam. The way to find the official testing center in your area is simply to go the American Council on Education website, which is “one stop shopping” for information about the GED. Here you will find suggestions on preparing, places to take the test and much more.

I suspect that even the new GED will not be available online as the Council wants to retain oversight of the testing process.

Future trends in the GED

People who are working on the new GED tests say that they will cover four subject areas– literacy, math, science, and social studies. Supposedly there is a change in philosophy–while the GED will still provide a high school equivalency degree, the creators conceptualize it as more than the old GED. The tests will include diagnostic tools to help pinpoint ways that the student can achieve more success in jobs and school. In other words, according to the creators, the new GED will be more of a “springboard” to the future.

We live in a time when the economy is changing rapidly; old types of jobs falling away while new ones are created. Workers must have up-to-date skills and education. A high school drop out is at a great disadvantage in the workplace. The new GED credential can help more people than ever before to have a new chance to move forward in their careers. For instance, they can choose to go to a community college and get an associate degree in a field with high demand such as medical technician.

I commend you for helping these young adults in need of guidance.

Do you need a college degree to become a librarian? Would it be the same degree necessary to become a teacher since the jobs are similar? I think this would be a good occupation for me and am trying to figure out where to start. Also, please let me know if I have an online education options. Thanks so much, Amy

Answer:
Dear Amy,

Thank you for your questions. A librarian is a great job for someone who is passionate about reading and books. Typically librarians read a lot so that they can recommend books and order new materials. Some librarians may even be asked to keep up with the latest literature and follow best-seller lists. Librarians may also help patrons with research, assist in locating specific reference materials, manage library budgets, classify resources, create and organize databases, and plan and implement different library programs and events.  Sound like something you’d enjoy?

Employment options for librarians

There are different types of library jobs including:

1. School librarian: They may work at the elementary, middle or high school level.  They help students locate books and materials, as well as assist with technology.  Some school librarians may teach literature lessons to students of different grade levels and help teachers plan language arts lessons.
2. Government librarian: These librarians may be employed by the government and work in various government institutions.  They often help government employees collect data and research.
3. Technical service librarian: These librarians work more behind the scenes instead of with the public.  They organize materials and information and prepare items for use.
4. Administrative service librarian: These librarians are responsible for managing libraries.  Duties may include staffing, fundraising and budgeting.
5. Law and medical librarians: This type of librarian assists those in the law or health fields with locating and organizing research materials.

Training to work as a librarian

The education requirements to become a librarian may vary based on what type of institution you work in and what type of librarian you’d like to become. It is typically required that  most librarians have bachelor’s degree in any area and then move on to earning a master’s degree in library sciences (MLS) or library and information studies.  It is also helpful to have a strong technology background, especially if you are interested in working in a school library. Some states require that school librarians have a teaching license in addition to a MLS degree since teaching may occur.

As of 2011 there were 56 library science programs that were nationally accredited by the American Library Association.  As you begin researching schools and programs you’ll find that there are several online education program options in library sciences.  Accreditation, program details, and degree requirements are things you should inquire about within the different schools you are considering.  For a person who holds a bachelor’s degree already, a MLS program should take around two years to complete.  I recommend getting in touch with an enrollment counselor at schools you are interested in to ask any questions you might have.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS), employment of librarians is expected to grow 7 percent between 2010 and 2020.  This percentage is slower than the average for all jobs and may be largely due to budget cuts and an increased availability of electronic information.  Earning an MLS degree from an accredited program, however, may give you the best chances of employment in a tight job market.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey towards becoming a librarian!

What is the difference between earning a degree in human services and earning a degree in social work? Are these two degree programs the same? Will they allow me to do therapy like becoming a psychologist? I am sorting out what path I want to take. Thank you, Alicia

Answer:
Dear Alicia,

If you are asking about the difference in a bachelor’s degree, the study of human services and of social work is indeed quite similar. Many of the subjects studied can overlap, including sociology, ethics, and psychology. A human services major is likely to be a little broader and graduates might find entry-level jobs in a wide variety of areas including not only social work but childcare and the justice system. Social work graduates seeking jobs in their field more usually look at social service agencies. Both a human services bachelor’s degree and a social work bachelor’s degree are good preparation for taking a step to a master’s degree in a related field .

Master’s in social work

At the masters level, a social work degree (MSW) allows one to become licensed to practice therapy and counseling. This license would also make one reimbursable by insurance.  The MSW degree is considered a solid and well-respected degree — one that can give you options to be hired by mental health clinics and hospitals or to work in private practice.

A master’s in human services is again a broader degree with many applications, but with it you would not be eligible to do therapy. All of these programs are available either at traditional campus-based colleges or in online schools.

Practicing therapy

How do you know if you want to practice therapy? Do you want to help people to examine their feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and life situations? Do you like listening and putting together what you have heard? Do you have an empathy and compassion for the plight of people who are struggling with emotional issues and psychological disturbances? A therapist can help people learn to cope with and resolve depression, trauma, anxiety and so on.

If you are wondering about the field of psychology, then a master’s degree allows you to do some clinical work. However,  the doctoral degree can qualify you to become a licensed psychologist in your state. This degree is as high as you can go in the field of therapy. You will have to study for at least four years in a doctoral program, complete a supervised internship that is approved by the American Psychological Association, and pass the state licensing exam. As a psychologist you can provide therapy, psychological testing, evaluations, and consultation. Your services should be covered by many insurance plans.

In the end, all the areas of study are about helping people. Which path you take depends on your goals and preferences for your career. Look inside yourself to what you want to do– and what you are willing to invest in time, effort and money. I wish you luck on your career path.

I have a decade’s worth of mid-level managerial experience. I am thinking about getting an MBA. Do you think it’s worth it at this point in my career?

Sincerely,
Future MBA

Answer:
Dear Future MBA:

Thanks for your message. In general, additional education is always a plus. Every HR professional can tell you that an MBA is a coveted, solid degree that can put you in the position of advancing your career. Here are a few more things to think about:

*Decide what you want. If your goal is to advance within the company, then getting an MBA might or might not help you achieve that goal. If your current company perceives that you are doing a fantastic job without the graduate degree, they might have little incentive for you to get more education and to help pay for it. Most times, in order to advance, one has to change companies, and getting an MBA can set you up for growth. If you are happy in your current company and don’t plan on leaving, you might still really enjoy the intellectual challenge of an MBA — and the prestige that comes with the diploma — but you might have to pay for it yourself.

*Online, offline or hybrid? There are many attractive ways of getting your MBA. A decade ago, an on-campus degree was the only way to go, but today’s learning environment is much more flexible. Have a look at online MBA programs, or check out some hybrid programs, during which you attend classroom sessions and complete other work online. Given your managerial experience, you might also qualify for a shorter, intense executive MBA program.

*Choose your concentration.Independently of which area of the company you work, there are several MBA concentrations that are a great fit for most students, such as an MBA in management or marketing.  If you’d like to change careers and become an entrepreneur, then an entrepreneurship MBA might be just the thing for you. If you’d like to be a strong candidate for high-level finance positions (which can be lucrative and relatively recession-resistant), then consider focusing your MBA in finance.

*Talk to your boss. Now is the time to approach your immediate supervisor about your plans. Ask for his or her support, not only financially, but also in terms of flexibility should you need to take a few days off to prepare for final exams. It’s ideal to include your boss in your plans to keep him or her involved and interested in your progress.

*Time management. Getting an MBA is a challenging and intense experience. I really enjoyed my two years in the MBA program, but working full time and going to school full time (or even part time) doesn’t leave much room for anything else. Be sure your spouse is on board to support you and do any tasks around the house that you might not be able to accomplish.

Good luck in your studies!

Answer:
National Nurses Week 2012 is from May 6-12.  May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who many people feel was the founder of  modern nursing.  May 6 is designated as National Nurses Day.  The American Nurses Association has established the theme of Nurses: Advocating,Leading,Caring.  The ANA president has this message for nurses:

From ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

“As a nurse, you strive for excellence in all you do. You provide patients and their families with skilled, compassionate care, and help them navigate a complex and oftentimes overwhelming health care system. Regardless of your role or title, you educate, counsel, advocate, and lead. Your work makes a difference to countless patients, families, and communities who benefit from your dedication and professionalism. Amid the fast pace of your life, you may not take time to reflect on all the good you do. This week, May 6-12, 2012, is the time to acknowledge and celebrate the difference you make.”

Here are a few ideas for celebrating Nurses Week.

1.  Take the time to say thanks to the nurses you know.

We all know nurses.  They are our neighbors, family members, friends, as well as those nurses who care for us in a variety of health care settings.  Send a card, a small gift, an email or text, or just say thanks in person.  As a nursing student, you can let your faculty and clinical preceptors know that you appreciate them for their role in nursing education.

2.  Take care of yourself

If you are an LPN, RN or a nursing student, you know the demands of the job.  This is the week to treat yourself to whatever it is that charges your batteries:  a massage, sleeping in on your day off, a pedicure, a good book, a walk in the woods, a visit to the lake shore.  You deserve it.

3.  Do some networking

Outside of your own practice setting, it’s refreshing and stimulating to know what other nurses in your field are doing and what challenges they face.  Join a journal club, a nursing organization, or attend a state wide conference.  You can  pick up new ideas, be able to join forces, learn about opportunities, and be able to share your experiences.

4.  Be your own advocate

Nurses are patient advocates on a daily basis, but this week think about how you can be an advocate for yourself and your colleagues.  Are there media opportunities this week to showcase the contributions that nurses make in your community?  How might you make the contributions of nurses more visible in your workplace?  Too often nurse are the invisible providers.  Talk with patients and professionals about why you chose to be a nurse, and what you love about your work.

5.  Get involved on legislative issues affecting nurses

Your state nurse’s association is a good place to start.  You can learn about the process, how to work effectively with legislators, and what issues are front and center in your state.

Hopefully your hospital and school are planning to honor nurses as well in the coming week.  Use whatever opportunities you find to be good to yourself and other nurses this week and to advance respect for the work nurses do.

Answer: In December 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its intention to withhold unpaid debts from veterans’ tuition and fee payments sent to schools. Under the proposal, the VA would resume an old policy where outstanding veteran Post 9/11 GI Bill debt would be deducted from the tuition payments that schools get on behalf of veteran students enrolled in courses.

Under the current policy, veterans who owe money to the VA, usually a result of advance payments or housing and book stipend overpayments, have their debt turned over to the VA Debt Management Center (DMC). Once notified by the DMC, the veteran student must either pay the money owed or arrange to pay it before s/he can again receive Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. But up until now, the VA has not gone as far as collecting back from veterans the tuition and fees it paid to schools.

Proposed changes to VA debt collection policy

Under the proposed policy, the VA would reduce the  tution and fees payment sent to a school on behalf of a veteran in the amount of the veteran’s debt. This in effect creates a debt owed to the school by the veteran student for tuition and fees offset not paid by the VA.

In most schools (and in some cases mandated by law), if a student owes their school money, s/he is not allowed to enroll in future classes until that debt is paid, thus putting the veteran’s educational opportunities in jeopardy. So by the VA offsetting tuition and fees owed to them by the student, and putting the burden on the school, they are in effect transferring debt collection to the school.

On April 23^rd, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki warning him of the “unintended consequences” and “violation of the faith and intent of the enrollment certification process,” if the VA carries forward their proposed intent.

“We fully recognize the fiduciary responsibility VA must uphold in collecting any non-tax debts owed to the federal government by the recipients of VA benefits,” said John Walda, president and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, in a letter sent to VA Secretary Shinseki, “However, the proposed policy exposes veterans to even greater debt liabilities and unduly stresses the partnership between the federal government, and colleges and universities in their mutual goal to provide educational opportunity to our nation’s veterans.”

Most traditional and online colleges that accept the GI Bill now allow veteran students to enroll and begin classes before the school receives tuition and fee payments from the VA. But if those payments to the school are reduced to cover past debts, the college has no choice but to pass on the unexpected debt to the student. “Instead of owing the VA, they now owe the school, but the school didn’t know this ahead of time,” said Anne Gross, NACUBO’s vice president for regulatory affairs.

Compounding the problem is the fact that colleges and universities have no way of knowing in advance if a veteran has outstanding VA debts until the benefit check on behalf of the student arrives, so the school financial aid office can’t advise veterans students in advance that they need to make other educational financial arrangements to cover the upcoming tuition/fees shortfall.

Hopefully Secretary Shinseki will reassess the VA’s proposed policy and decide not to continue with its implementation.

I am a pretty good student in a high school but I don’t really like my guidance counselor. He doesn’t have much time for me. What I would like to do is take an online course while I am still in high school. I want to take environmental science, which they don’t have at my school. Is this possible? Is it a good idea? (I want to go to a four-year college) Sincerely, Devon

Answer:
Dear Devon,

It sounds like you are a student with motivation and ambition. First, to answer your question most directly, it is absolutely possible you could take some online class while you are still in high school. The range of online programs is quite enormous now– there are classes on almost every topic available. In fact, you might even have the option to take an online high school class in environmental science, if such a thing is offered by your school district. Some districts in urban areas have choices like this, and it could be free or cost some money.

Alternatively, you could take an online class in environmental science offered through a private school. Do you want to have the credits transferred to your high school transcript? Are you looking for college credit? Or do you just want to take it for fun?

If you are seeking the class for your own enrichment, then any class by an accredited online college will be an option. To be a good consumer you should check out reviews, rankings, and reputation of programs you apply to. This step is important as quality of programs varies widely.

If you want to transfer the credits in some way, I think you are going to need to talk with your guidance counselor, even though he is busy and not your favorite person. He will know best what credits will count towards your graduation and should also what courses will help your college career. If you feel truly uncomfortable with him, then see if you can speak to a teacher or administrator at your school.

Primarily, it’s important that you assess whether it makes sense to take this extra course right now. Is your schedule over-loaded or do you have room in your life for more work? Would you be better off to do it in the summer?

Online classes are a wonderful and flexible way to enrich your high school experience. Assess your own educational needs, the credentialing and worthiness of the program you are considering, and the commitment and time you are willing to invest. If you are an independent learner who can structure your own time well, an online class in environmental sciences might be a very good match for you.

I am 33 years old graduate in mass communication and post graduate in mba. I always wanted to pursue psychology as a profession (counseling; guidance psychology) but couldn’t due to family problems. Now I finally think I should leave my fears behind and start doing what i should have done years back. But I still have many concerns.

1. I don’t know whether I should pursue MA directly or first complete BA in psychology . I am eligible for MA psychology as I am a graduate but I think to become a certified psychologist, I should have a Bachelors, Masters and Phd in the same subject. Is that correct?

3.  I’ll most probably be able to pursue psychology only via distance education due to various responsibilities. Do you think completing my entire education via distance education PLUS my age could be obstacles in my career?? ( I’ll be approximately 40 years old by the time I become a certified psychologist if I start with B.A degree)

3.  What is the MINIMUM education qualification I need to achieve to start working as a counselor with educational institutes? My final aim is to have my own practise working as a full time counselor or working with a hospital. Thank you, Reva.

Answer:
Dear Reva,

Your ultimate aim is to work as a full-time counselor in your own practice or work in a hospital. You already have an MBA (no small feat!) and a bachelor’s degree. The short answer is, yes, you can certainly become a counselor, and no it is not too late (although of course your path will require hard work, time, and financial investment). Let’s look at your questions one by one.

1) You do not need to get a bachelor’s degree in psychology to proceed in your career goals. I don’t think that would be the best option for you given how much education you already have. However, a graduate school of psychology or counseling might have certain psychology prerequisites. Consider taking these classes online or at a local college.

2) It is certainly doable to get your degree online and your age shouldn’t be a factor. Since counseling is a hands-on profession requiring supervised experience, look for a hybrid program (one that blends in-class time with online time) or an online program with a good internship component. Please make sure that any online school you enroll in is accredited for the mental health field you choose to enter.

3) The minimum degree you need to work as a counselor is a two year master’s degree. You can be licensed as a clinical social worker or counselor. Doing so will allow you to have a private practice (although some insurance companies will only cover a doctoral level psychologist) or to work in a hospital. Given your age and stage of life, a master’s degree might be the best choice right now as a doctoral degree in psychology takes a minimum of four years of school and training.

Finally, it might be good for you to get some related experience before you apply to schools to prove your commitment. There are some entry level jobs in the mental health field that require only a bachelor’s degree.

Good luck with following your dream!