Health careers

What do health-care professions bring to your mind? For many, they conjure images of heroic men and women fighting illness and death with their compassion and knowledge of medicine. That’s a romantic idea, but it isn’t far from the truth! Unfortunately, not many students seem to be interested in this profession at the moment.
A study commissioned by the Canadian Nurses Association predicted that by the year 2011, there would be a severe shortage of nurses. This shortage could mean from 59,000 to 113,000 nurses will be needed. Not just in Canada, but worldwide, the shortage of nurses is frightening. Because of the shortage, hospitals could be forced to cancel surgeries and send ambulances to other hospitals. Patients also may have to wait longer periods of time for care, which could cause more complications and more medical errors.
With nurses in such demand, hospitals are willing to pay. “The hospitals have huge incentives now to attract nurses,” says nurse Kathleen Yeckel. Some of these incentives include higher pay, shorter shifts, more-flexible hours and less paperwork.

Who should consider nursing
The professional nursing associations suggest that, as far as personality is concerned, the following questions typically reflect the attributes of a nurse: Is caring for people important to you? Do you want to make a difference? Do you inspire others? Are you curious about the world around you? If you answered yes to these questions, you probably have what it takes to be a nurse.

What it’ll take
There are two classifications of nurses in Ontario. You can become a registered nurse (RN) or a registered practical nurse (RPN). Both RNs and RPNs are subject to the same regulatory requirements and general standards of practice as established by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
Donna Frair, RPN, is a career advisor for the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario. Frair says that starting January, 2005, becoming an RN will require a bachelor’s of science in nursing to enter practice. “This usually takes four years to complete and may be done through a university program alone or in a collaborative program with a college and a university,” she says. “The entrance requirements for RN programs vary among schools. However, they generally require six Ontario academic courses (OACs). At this time, the college diploma takes approximately three years to complete.
RPNs currently require a certificate program that usually takes three semesters to complete at a college. This program is currently being extended to a two-year diploma program, which reflects the broadening skills and knowledge of the RPN. This college diploma program will become a mandatory requirement for RPNs entering practice by the year 2005.” RNs and RPNs both must pass national certification exams and be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario in order to practice, says Frair. “They must also renew their membership on an annual basis and maintain their competencies in accordance with the College of Nurses Professional Standards of Practice.” Nurses can be certified in nursing specialties, which allow nurses to add letters after their names to designate certifications and abilities in certain fields, including critical care, neuroscience, psychiatric and mental health and emergency care.
If you want to be directly involved with children, school nursing is a job that combines compassion, education and love. “I see mostly non-serious conditions, but am a resource to students, their families and the staff in all areas of health education,” says Yeckel. “We have asthma, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, to name a few of the kinds of conditions I see every day. I have continuous opportunities to teach hygiene, nutrition, wound care, safety and just plain getting along in this world. There is a lot of joy to be had when thrown into the big kettle of little kids who think it's fun to go see the nurse!” Even if you don’t think that nursing is the career for you, reconsider. “Nursing is an exciting career offering a world of challenges and new opportunities for growth,” Frair says. “The profession promotes and demands lifelong learning, and offers the ongoing opportunity to put this knowledge into practice. The skills and knowledge you will acquire as you learn to be a nurse are highly valued and marketable. You can choose one area of interest when you begin to study nursing and then explore new educational and career opportunities as you gain experience.”

Katie Macpherson, 15, is an intern for The Next Step Magazine. -- Not a nurse?

Read on
If you are interested in improving the quality of lives in a different way, biomedical engineering may be the career for you. “Biomedical engineering can be described as engineering devices for pharmaceutical and medical use, anything from gurneys and IV systems to prostheses,” says Manh-Dan Ngo, a biomedical engineering student. “It's great working in this industry, because I wanted to be in the medical environment and not have to deal with patients directly. I know that what I'll be working on will directly impact an individual and improve their health and their lives. It's good to know that I have that effect.” This field involves technology and science skills. “As with any field that's based on technology, I'm constantly learning about new happenings in the field and get a good inside scoop,” says Ngo. --

Who: Marge Pickering-Picone
Job title: nutrition consultant
By Mindae Kadous

Medical doctors are not the only ones these days who can offer a cure. Alternative medicine and its focus on nutrition is writing one health success story after another. One person benefiting from this expanding field is Marge Pickering-Picone, whose introduction to the world of complementary health care in 1980 helped her cure her own health ailments.
After being told by doctors that there was nothing else they could do for her migraine headaches, sinus problems and chronic fatigue, Picone turned to vitamins, minerals and herbs for hopes of a better way of life.
Today, Picone works as a nutrition consultant in her own practice. As a nutrition consultant, Picone medicates with diets, vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids. “I work with all ages and all illnesses, from Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer, infertility to the common cold, stress and fatigue,” she says. Picone is certified as a nutritionist, in aromatherapy and as a body-shaping instructor. “In this profession, you constantly need to keep educating yourself and work in conjunction with the medical world to find successful common ground,” she says.
Picone says hers is a rewarding and ever-growing profession. “No matter the economy, people will always need their health. Men and women today are taking their health into their own hands. It is a field that you can learn, help and grow infinitely in.”

Mindae Kadous is an intern for The Next Step Magazine. -- For more information about nursing, check out these organizations: * The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario Tel: (905) 602-4664 or toll-free: (877) 602-4664 www.rpnao.org
* Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Tel: (416) 599-1925 or toll-free: (800) 268-7199 www.rnao.org

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