How Do I Become A Trauma Nurse?

A career as a registered nurse is a promising option. The number of nurses is steadily growing, and there are many different opportunities for those who are licensed as RNs. Trauma nursing is a very exciting and challenging type of nursing. If you can handle pressure and high intensity situations, you may be asking, “How do I become a trauma nurse?”

What’s It Like To Be A Trauma Nurse?

A trauma nurse is a registered nurse that focuses his or her attention on the emergency center of a hospital. Some trauma nurses work full-time at stand alone emergency centers. Trauma nursing, unlike other nursing fields, is concerned with efficient and fast patient care. Often, the first few minutes after an accident can be crucial. Trauma nurses may be exempt from dealing with heavy paperwork and file organization. Their skills and disposition are highly valued by emergency physicians and surgeons. Trauma nurses are also responsible for creating a calm environment amongst worried patients and family members. This calm environment is important because it eliminates chaos from the emergency room in a hospital.

Education Requirements

In order to become a trauma nurse, students must complete three different course pathways. One option is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at an accredited post-secondary institution. Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree will take courses in liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, and health. Courses such as microbiology, nutrition, physiology and anatomy are common. You can also become a trauma nurse by participating in an associate’s degree program or a nursing certification course. All of these courses involve a combination of in-class study as well as on-site observation and practice. Registered nurses who hope to become a trauma nurse will likely perform their observation and clinical study in the emergency room of a hospital or an emergency center.

Because the field of nursing is expanding, many academic advisors are suggestion that students pursue a bachelor’s degree rather than a simple certification course. The bachelor’s degree program for nursing students involves more coursework in communication and leadership. For a trauma nurse, these skills can be invaluable in the workplace. If you become a trauma nurse through this avenue, you may also have more opportunities for career advancement.

Salary and Job Hunting

When you become a trauma nurse, you will find that the salary options are very competitive. Trauma nursing is a fast-paced, high-intensity job, and the individuals who have the stamina and the presence of mind to perform their jobs well will find themselves compensated for their skills. Nurses in trauma positions will likely make salaries greater than $60,000 per year. Trauma nurses who are in managerial positions over other trauma nurses may make more than that.

Those who have completed a bachelor’s degree program or an associate’s program in trauma nursing at an accredited institution may be able to find assistance with job placement. Many schools have relationships with community hospitals and emergency centers. These centers for emergency treatment will readily accept new trauma nurses that have completed coursework at a trusted institution. The job scenario for trauma nurses is expected to grow as new technology becomes available in the next ten years.

How Do I Become A Police Officer?

A police officer is an individual that is hired by a local community or government to protect its citizens and enforce the law. Police officers are constantly in demand by local governments, which can make it a great career option. Those that are wondering how do I become a police officer should follow a few steps to become one.

The first step in becoming a police officer is to understand what it’s like to become a police officer. The primary responsibility that all police officers have is to protect the citizens of a community and to help enforce the law. The day to day responsibilities from one police officer to the next will vary quite a bit depending on the department and city that they will be working in. Depending on the city where they work, the actual job of being a police officer can be somewhat dangerous as they will be forced to arrest criminals, which can turn violent.

For someone that wants to become a police officer, having higher formal education is not always a requirement. Most communities across the country will want their police officers to have a high school degree at minimum. While more formal education may not always be required; having more of an education will always lead to more job opportunities and higher pay. Police officers that are in the most demand from employers will often have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminal psychology, or a related field. To be promoted through the organization will almost always require one of these degrees. Many police officers can receive tuition reimbursement from the community if they choose to go back to school to pursue a higher degree.

Unlike most other professions, to become a police officer will require a significant amount of other testing before being hired. Police officers in most communities across the country will have to pass both a psychological evaluation and a physical fitness test. Depending on where the officer is located, they may have to be re-tested every few years to ensure that they are still physically and psychologically strong enough to safely do the job.

When looking to become a police officer, it is also important to understand the compensation that could be received. Police officers are almost always very valued and respected members of a society. The compensation received by a police officer can vary quite a bit from one community to the next. In major cities such as Chicago or New York, it is not uncommon for a police officer to be hired and start making over $60,000 per year, plus overtime and small bonuses. Within 5 to 10 years, it would not be uncommon for a police officer in a major city to earn over $100,000 per year when including overtime and all other compensation. Another key element of a police officer’s compensation is their retirement package. In larger communities, a police officer will receive a pension equal to close to 100% of their pre-retirement salary after working for just 25 years.

How Do I Become A Veterinarian?

If you enjoy taking care of animals, you may find yourself asking, “How do I become a veterinarian?” Veterinarians are trained specialists in animal medicine and care. Some common tasks of veterinarians include doing regular health checkups on pets, examining an animal for diseases or performing a surgical procedure. A love of all animals and an interest in animal medicine are ideal traits in a good veterinarian.

If you become a veterinarian, each workday will bring new and interesting challenges. You will likely deal with new and recurring patients each day. Some days may be quiet with only routine examinations of cats and dogs. Other days may involve emergency care to save a farm animal’s life. Although much of your day involves the care of animals, veterinarians also need to deal with the human owners of each animal. This job is ideal for those who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and enjoy the challenge of unexpected events.

To become a veterinarian, you will need to attend college to earn a bachelor’s degree before attending veterinarian school. Ideal degrees include those that are closely related to animal medicine, including biology and biochemistry. Your college studies should reflect major fields of science that are crucial to animal medicine, including chemistry and genetics. After you have completed a college degree, you can apply to a veterinarian school. This process can be competitive, so having related work or volunteer experience can help you stand out. Each school will also require you to pass a standardized test.

After getting accepted to a veterinarian school, you will enter a vigorous program to teach you basic and advanced skills for animal care. The first two years of veterinarian school generally focus on education inside the classroom. The last two years concentrate on learning through experience by letting you and your classmates assist in treating animal patients. Many students will start to specialize in a particular field of study during the last two years.

Successful graduates are required to take a difficult licensing test to become a veterinarian. After passing the test, you are still expected to keep your education current and fresh. Veterinarians should regularly attend workshops and other educational events to learn about new diseases and technological advances in animal medicine.

There are many different job opportunities for veterinarians, including direct contact with animals and lab work. Many veterinarians focus on domestic pets such as cats, dogs and birds. Other veterinarians specialize in helping farm animals, rehabilitating injured wildlife, or assisting a zoo with exotic animal care. Some veterinarians work on disease and other research in labs. Newly licensed veterinarians can start their own practice or apply to work for an established practice. Specialized veterinarians can apply to work at zoos, farms or other animal centers.

If you become a veterinarian, you can expect to earn about $75,000 a year at a private practice. Every veterinarian’s salary depends on what field they specialize in. Veterinarians who run their own private practice may earn significantly more after establishing their practice. Running your own practice will grant you greater flexibility, but it can be more stressful than working for an established office.

How Do I Become a Special Education Teacher?

Special education teachers are responsible for helping gifted students and students with disabilities to achieve their utmost potential in educational settings. If you have always had a desire to help others to overcome challenges and meet their goals then you might be asking, “How do I become a special education teacher.” If you have asked yourself this question before, then read on to discover how you can make your dream come true.

What’s it like to be a special education teacher?
Special education teachers work with young children and adults with varying skills and abilities. They must be flexible and able to work with a variety of other supportive people in their student’s life such as therapists, families and other teachers. They have also worked hard to become a special education teacher, knowing that remaining up to date on the latest research will help the students that they teach. Depending upon their student’s abilities, special education teachers develop and carry out lesson plans designed to facilitate learning and foster independent living skills. Special education teachers can specialize in behavioral, learning and physical disabilities. Many special education teachers also focus on content mastery in the areas of reading and math. Special education teachers can be found working in schools, daycares and adult education centers.

What are the education requirements?
The education requirements for a special education teacher will depend upon several factors. First, the age range of students that a prospective special education teacher would like to teach will play a role in what degree plan should be followed. If you are interested in working with young children, then a bachelor’s degree in early childhood or elementary age education should be earned in order to become a special education teacher. Teachers who would prefer working with older children or adults should pursue a bachelor’s degree in either the subject that they would like to teach or in an education field. Many universities and colleges also offer degrees that are specifically in special education.

Once you have earned your bachelor’s degree in an education related field, then it is important to follow the state’s requirements for special education teacher certification in your area. These requirements typically specify how many hours of student teaching are needed along with any tests that are required to be passed in order to become a special education teacher. Depending upon the area of specialization that you have selected, most schools also offer additional post-graduate programs that offer certificates in areas such as learning and behavioral disorders that will certify you to be able to become a special education teacher. Most public and private schools strive to hire the most highly educated special education teachers possible so pursuing the best degree to fit your needs is the key to success in the education system.

What is the career outlook for special education teachers?
Special education careers are currently in high demand in both public and private education systems. People that have completed a degree program to become a special education teacher can find positions working in any geographical area and in a variety of educational environments. The average starting salary for a special education teacher is between $35,000 and $50,000. Many schools offer a pay schedule that accounts for years of experience and school district loyalty. Volunteering at a school program and student teaching are two of the best ways to gain experience while going to school to become a special education teacher.

How Do I Become A School Counselor?

Most public schools are outfitted with professional, caring individuals who act as counselors for the many students who attend the school. Because students, especially young children, are constantly adjusting to the pressures at school and at home, it is important for schools to have qualified counselors available to help children deal with their changing lives. School counselors have rewarding careers, but you may be wondering, “How do I become a school counselor?”

What’s It Like to be a School Counselor?

If you hope to become a school counselor, you must first evaluate whether or not this career path is right for you. School counselors do not make as much money as professional psychiatrists, psychologists, or marriage and family therapists with their own practices. Because school counselors are considered to be government employees, their hours are often long and their pay less than desirable. The reasons why individuals decide to be school counselors have nothing to do with money or recognition. Instead, school counselors are concerned with helping children and parents through difficult life moments.

Education Requirements

To work as a school counselor, a student must receive a Master’s degree in psychology, psychiatry, or marriage and family therapy. Dealing with the mind is a very complex and complicated field of study. It is important to receive a thorough education from an accredited institution of learning. Many schools will not accept applicants who have received their counseling education online. If you want to become a school counselor, you must be sure to select an accredited institution of learning with a reputation of matching their students with jobs upon graduation.

In addition to a Master’s degree, school counselors must receive their counseling credentials before they can begin work. Often, an accredited institution of learning will help students receive their credentials as a part of the Master’s degree program. If your school does not offer this service, you will be responsible for receiving your credentials on your own. Thankfully, most schools do not require any previous work-related experience or on-the-job training for school counselors. After an individual receives his or her degree and credentials, that person can immediately begin applying to become a school counselor.

Salary and Job Hunting

Because the job scenario for school counselors is projected to grow in the next twenty years at an above average rate, it may be easier for you to become a school counselor if you begin your education now. School counselors are finding their services needed more and more as the educational system becomes increasingly difficult for many children to cope with. A school counselor can expect to make more than $50,000 a year if hired as a salaried employee. However, some school systems only hire counselors on a part time basis. In these instances, school counselors may work at several different schools throughout the week, rotating from one school to the next to spread their services over a wider area. An hourly paid school counselor will likely make at least $25 per hour in the public school system. There is a need for private school counselors, and these counselors may be able to secure a higher salary and more consistent work hours.

How Do I Become A Registered Nurse?

Nurses have long been associated with caring, helpful individuals who strive to provide personal care and attention to patients and families. Because hospitals are often large and impersonal, a kind and attentive registered nurse can make all the difference. Perhaps you have had a positive experience with a registered nurse and are wondering, “How do I become a registered nurse?”

What’s It Like To Be A Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse will work long hours throughout his or her career. Registered nurses are responsible for many different tasks at a hospital, and these varied tasks are quite demanding on a nurse’s schedule and life. Registered nurses may be responsible for answering the phones at a hospital and taking messages, organizing patient files, acting as an intermediary between patients and families, performing routine tests, cleaning long-term care patients, or setting up patient visits. Within the community, registered nurses often participate in public education seminars, assist with mobile blood banks, or act as educational resources.

Education Requirements

There are three basic roadways that an individual can take when attempting to become a registered nurse. Many students today opt to become a registered nurse by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This course is the longest, but it often provides the most job opportunities after graduation. Some students choose to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing. An associate’s degree takes about half the time when compared to a bachelor’s degree. Other students attempt to become a registered nurse by participating in a certification course. This coursework is often very intensive and takes place over the course of just a few weeks. Regardless of the education you receive, registered nurses must take a national nursing examination before they can be hired and work in a hospital or doctor’s office.

Nursing is a field of continuing education. Registered nurses must often complete coursework, attend seminars, and receive certification in medical subject matter while they are employed. Because the medical field and responsibilities of registered nurses is changing so rapidly, these continuing education courses are necessary. A registered nurse may have to pursue many different avenues of education at once, but this education serves to make him or her a better nurse.

Salary and Job Hunting

Because registered nurses are so crucial to the efficient function of a hospital or physician’s office, the job outlook and salary outlook for registered nurses is projected to grow rapidly. If you hope to become a registered nurse, you can expect a median salary of about $60,000. Additionally, the number of registered nursing jobs in this country is projected to grow by nearly twenty percent in the next ten years. This data shows that highly qualified and well-educated registered nurses should have no trouble securing a job position after their training has been completed.

Many accredited post-secondary institutions will help their students find jobs in the field after graduation. You can talk to the Dean of the nursing department at your college or university to inquire about job placement programs and hiring percentages of students that have attended the same program you will be attending. With assistance, registered nurses will have few difficulties finding jobs.

How Do I Become A Psychiatrist?

If you are asking yourself “how do I become a psychiatrist?” there are many things that you need to learn about this interesting and engaging career. A psychiatrist is a medical professional who works with people in need with regards to their mental health, and it might be the ideal career for you.

When you want to become a psychiatrist, the first thing that you need consider is the job itself. This position brings you into contact with people with mental disorders, which may range from mild to the dangerously severe. As a psychiatrist, you will be called upon to counsel the people who are meeting with you, providing them with support and guidance. As a medical professional, you may prescribe drugs were needed and order medical diagnostic tests if you feel it is a appropriate. Your end goal is to help others towards a richer and more fulfilling life through helping them find solutions.

If you want to become a psychiatrist, you’ll find that you have a great deal of training and schooling in front of you. At the most basic level, you need to finish four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of medical school. After that you, you will need to serve an internship and a residency at a hospital or clinic. When you want to become a psychiatrist, it is often helpful to volunteer in hospitals or free counseling clinics in your city. Some people volunteer throughout their education, something which helps them stand out when they are applying for a residency.

Besides the schooling, you must also undergo a national exam in your area of expertise, after which, you will be allowed to apply for a license in the state where you intend to practice. Not only do you have to go through a fair amount of training, your residency and your internship are places where you need to develop a feel for casework and how to deal with people. This is an intensely high-contact, people-focused career, and it is not for everyone. Gaining certification as psychiatrist is something that is very challenging, and it requires perseverance and patience.

When you want to become a psychiatrist, it is important to know what life as a psychiatrist is like. The median salary is around 180,000 dollars per year, and the outlook for these positions is very good. While many psychiatrists move to private practice, they often start with jobs in established firms or hospitals. Working at an established location is often considered essential for a psychiatrist who is just starting out. When looking for a job as a psychiatrist, past volunteer work can be very fruitful when it comes to looking up contacts. There are many job opportunities for people with a psychiatric background, especially if they are willing to work in the public sector.

The type of work that a psychiatrist can do varies greatly; in many ways, it will depend on your interests. Some psychiatrists choose to specialize in certain portions of the population; other psychiatrists chose to work with law enforcement and lawyers as professional witnesses. The range of opportunity available in this type of career is vast.

How Do I Become a Paralegal?

The United States legal system is a complicated and ever-changing field. There are thousands of job opportunities at legal firms and establishments throughout the country. A job as a paralegal can be a great way to boost your career potential, but you may be wondering, “How do I become a paralegal?”

What’s It Like To Be A Paralegal?

If you want to become a paralegal, you must prepare yourself for hard work, long hours, and a grueling pace. Paralegals at large law firms may frequently work more than sixty hours each week. The reason why paralegals are willing to work these extra hours is that hard work and dedication often pay off. Paralegals exist to support the lawyers in a firm. They may help to draft important documents, organize file systems, plan meetings with important clients, or even do significant research on approaching cases. A paralegal must have good organizational skills, good research skills, and excellent communication skills. Paralegals, through the combination of their education and their work experience, will learn a great deal about the United States legal system.

Education Requirements

If you want to become a paralegal, you will most likely need to receive some form of education past high school. Now, this education does not necessarily have to end in the reception of a bachelor’s degree. Many paralegals find work after receiving an associate’s degree or even after participating in a simple certification program. To become a paralegal does not necessarily require hours and hours of post-secondary education.

It is important, however, to remember that many paralegals hope to one day become lawyers with practices of their own. For this to happen, paralegals will need to receive a bachelor’s degree and then go on to attend an accredited law program. Some paralegals choose to begin work with just an associate’s degree and then use online programs to finish achieving a bachelor’s degree. Other paralegals complete their education in stages. If you simply do not have the time, energy, or money available to go to school full time, a certification program for paralegals may be your best option. It is crucial to find out which firms and practices accept paralegals who have only completed certification courses. Large law firms with competitive hiring processes may not accept paralegal applicants with any education lower than a bachelor’s degree. Still, certified paralegals will have an abundance of options available to them.

Salary and Job Hunting

The salary you receive as a paralegal will likely depend on the size and history of the firm at which you are employed as well as the education you have received. These two items are connected, as a higher education will improve your job prospects. Hourly paralegals can expect to earn more than $20 per hour. Salary-paid paralegals often earn between $40,000 and $50,000 annually. Paralegals also often receive a wide range of health benefits and investment opportunities.

To become a paralegal, you must interview at many different firms. There are paralegal job opportunities throughout the country. You can check the American Bar Association website for job offer postings at highly qualified and reputable law firms and legal agencies.

How Do I Become a Lawyer?

There are a lot of good reasons to become a lawyer. Many lawyers earn top salaries and are well-respected in their communities. Several U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama, went to law school. If this job sounds right for you, then you may be wondering, “How do I become a lawyer?”

First, it may help to learn what lawyers actually do on the job. Whether lawyers are employed by a large corporation, work for the government, or operate their own law firm, they help clients with questions or problems that involve laws. They do this by giving advice, interpreting laws for their clients, and representing clients in criminal or civil court proceedings. Lawyers generally work in offices most of the time, where they research laws about their clients’ cases and prepare legal documents, but they may also travel to clients’ offices, courts, and jails. Many lawyers put in long hours, working 60 or 70 hours weekly.

It takes years of schooling to become a lawyer. The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university. It’s also important to get top grades in order to be accepted to law school. You can study any subject, but most pre-law students major in political science, history, or English to prepare for the competitive atmosphere in most law schools. In your last year of college, you must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and send the scores to all law schools to which you apply.

After three years of law school, you’ll earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Your coursework will include general classes that apply to all areas of the law, and you’ll have an opportunity to choose electives that focus on a particular area, such as environmental law, family law, or immigration law. After graduation, the next step is to pass the bar exam in the state where you want to work in order to become a lawyer licensed to practice law in that state. Most students spend several months preparing for this crucial exam, and many take it more than once before passing it.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for lawyers in May, 2010, was $112,760. However, this can vary widely depending on what type of legal job you have and its location. Salaries tend to be higher in urban areas, in large corporations, and in law firms that work primarily with wealthy clients. Rural areas, small law practices, and legal aid offices have lower salary ranges.

Finding a job after you become a lawyer can be challenging, too. Lawyers are employed by corporations such as manufacturing and insurance companies, at the local, state, and national levels of government, and in large and small law firms. Many law students find internships during their summer breaks in private or government law offices, which may lead to a permanent job later, especially if you want to specialize in that office’s type of law. In addition, law school career offices will have a schedule of recruiters from law firms and corporations looking for promising new lawyers.

How Do I Become a Forensic Pathologist?

Forensic pathology is a subfield of pathology that concentrates on determining that cause of death of a human being. A forensic pathologist is a medical professional that offer their services to the legal field to determine the cause of death for legal cases. Due to the increased popularity of criminal investigation, more and more individuals often ask, “How do I become a forensic pathologist?”

Recommended Forensic Programs

  1. Kaplan University – BSCJ Crime Scene Investigation
  2. American InterContinental University – BSCJ Forensic Science
  3. Kaplan University – BSCJ Forensic Psychology

What it is Like to Be a Forensic Pathologist?

A forensic pathologist examines deceased bodies in various conditions such as recent deaths to decomposed specimens. The most important task is performing an autopsy to determine what caused the death of the individual. The cause of death is categorized into two forms: proximate cause of death, which is the initial incident that lead to the series of events that led to the death and immediate cause of death, the injury or medical condition that finally led to the death of the person. A forensic pathologist must also determine the manner of death, if it was from natural causes, accidental, self-inflicted, or homicide. Other responsibilities include analyzing sample tissues, collecting evidence for special evaluation, and acting as a witness in legal proceedings. An important thing to remember if an individual is seeking to become a forensic pathologist is it is not a career for individuals who are squeamish or have a weak stomach.

Education Requirements to Become a Forensic Pathologist

To education requirements to become a forensic pathologist is very long and rigorous, taking at least 13 years of higher education to become board certified to practice. An individual must first complete a bachelor’s degree in any field, but it is important to understand that medical school requires certain classes such as chemistry, biology, anatomy, and physiology. Medical school is typically four years and results in a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Some medical schools offer forensic pathology elective courses, particularly institutions that have forensic anthropology departments. During medical school, students learn how to deal with families in a sensitive manner

A three to five year residency training in anatomic, clinical, or forensic pathology follows medical school. After completion of medical school and pathology residency, aspiring forensic pathologists must complete a one-year specialty training program in forensic pathology at an approved medical facility such as medical examiners office. This specialty training provides a legal background as well as advanced study on autopsies and determining the cause of death. Forensic pathologists must also pass a board examination to become licensed to practice.

Salary and Job Aspects

Indeed.com states as of June 2012, the average annual salary for forensic pathologists is $169,000. Exact annual salaries will vary greatly on geographical area, employer, experience, and level of responsibility. For individuals who wish to become a forensic pathologist, there are a variety of job options such as private crime laboratories, private group practices, federal or local government organizations, universities, hospitals and coroner’s offices. Individuals who have recently graduated typically start out as general forensic pathologists in hospitals or state controlled facilities and those with experience and demonstrated skills may move up to chief consultants or chief medical examiners in private group practices or other organizations.