Healthcare professionals are in high demand. Demands created by an aging population, expanding healthcare system, and rising healthcare costs are putting pressure on industry leaders to find experienced and qualified professionals with degrees. For many healthcare professionals, online programs are the best avenue for obtaining the quality of education today s employers are seeking. Career Outlook: Healthcare Professionals in Demand According to a workforce analysis published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in December 2009, the job market for healthcare professionals in the United States is expected to increase 16-22% over the next several years. Among the most in-demand professionals are health promotion specialists and healthcare administrators. This high demand is due in large part to the increasing age of baby boomers and the need to expand healthcare as the population grows. According to the World Health Organization, health promotion and wellness education specialists help reduce excess mortality, address the leading risk factors and underlying determinants of health, help strengthen sustainable health systems, and are critical to improving outcomes in the prevention and control of both chronic and communicable diseases. 2 According to the BLS, the need for health services professionals is expected to grow 16% through 2018, with more than 45,000 jobs being created. 1 Healthcare Management and Operations Health promotion professions include: work site wellness managers, health and fitness directors in the community, private and clinical settings and community health managers, among others. As the healthcare industry undergoes dramatic reform so will the jobs of those who oversee healthcare operations and management. Managers are being asked to improve the quality, productivity and efficiency in the operations of these organizations. Mangers not only need to know a basis for management and leadership, they also need to mange the integration of people, processes and systems in a healthcare environment. Regardless of the direction you choose, a bachelor s degree and/or a master s degree are a necessary credential to start or advance your career in health promotion or healthcare administration. A solid foundation of learned competencies are paramount in attaining and growing in these positions. These knowledge bases show professional dexterity and commitment to continued professional development, setting the graduates apart from others in these fields. 1 Health Promotion 2011, World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/healthpromotion/about/en/. 2 Healthy People 2020: The Road Ahead, 2010, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 1
Online Education: Solutions for the Busy Professional There are many benefits to online education. It is an ideal option for healthcare professionals who would like to pursue a degree program and work simultaneously. Because there are no geographical constraints associated with an online program, students can take courses no matter where they live and do not have to sacrifice a year of income to obtain a degree. The online educational environment is streamlined with easy-to-use and easy-to-access Web tools to make learning and instruction easier. Asynchronous class times make it easier for students to complete coursework around their own schedules. Because students can access course materials at any time, they can keep balance between work, family, and school responsibilities. The class experience is also maximized, and faculty can utilize instruction time to the fullest extent. The online education environment promotes accelerated learning where students can earn a degree faster than in a traditional, on-campus day program. Online education has several communication advantages over traditional classroom-based learning environments. Peer interaction among students is made easy through a variety of readily available Web-based tools, including online discussion boards, chat rooms, and e-mail. Additionally, Web-based tools facilitate convenient access to the faculty. Students are able to post discussions or send e-mails at any time and the instructor can utilize the online course platform to provide a variety of resources (documents, videos, and links) to accommodate a range of learning styles. Cost is another benefit of online education for working professionals. There are no residency-based fees associated with online programs, and financial aid is available in the forms of scholarships, loans, and grants. Online Healthcare Education at NMC Nebraska Methodist College offers a variety of academic programs in the fastest-growing, most in-demand fields in healthcare. Additionally, the College is affiliated with one of the largest healthcare systems in the state. Faculty and staff understand firsthand the realities of the healthcare system and the needs of the healthcare industry today. For more than 120 years, Nebraska Methodist College has been training and educating allied health professionals. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA). Nebraska Methodist College s online learning environments are designed for the busy student, and they offer a variety of online programs for all levels of healthcare professionals. The median annual wage of medical and health services managers was $84,270 in May 2010 and the job market is expected to grow 22% by 2020..4 3 Educational Benefits of Online Learning, 2000, Blackboard Inc. 4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Medical and Health Services Managers 2
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration: Applied Clinical Operations The program is designed for individuals who have earned an associate degree in a healthcare related field. The curriculum is designed around the domains identified by the Healthcare Leadership Alliance as essential to effective practice in healthcare management practices. Graduates are equipped with skills in business and clinical operations, U.S. healthcare systems, strategic management and planning, fundamentals of financial operations, human resources, professional communication, and applied business ethics in healthcare. Complete courses in 12 months Provides valuables networking opportunities with faculty who serve as leaders in the healthcare field Online orientation provided and serves to set students up for success in the on line learning environment Master of Science in Healthcare Operations Management A Master of Science in Healthcare Operations Management from Nebraska Methodist College is unlike other healthcare administration degrees. This program not only teaches a basis for management and leadership, it also provides an application-based curriculum for managing the integration of people, processes and systems in a healthcare environment. Courses taught in 1-credit, 4 week modules that allows each student the flexibility to choose how many courses to take at a time and how quickly they complete the degree Applied program - student learning can immediately be applied to current position. Master of Science in Health Promotion Management This program integrates the art and science of wellness with leading-edge business practices in change management. NMC prepares leaders who are educated in the design, implementation, and evaluation of wellness programs geared toward improved employee health, increased employee satisfaction, and dramatically reduced organizational healthcare costs. Complete degree in 16 months - courses are structured in a five week format Applied program - student learning can immediately be applied to current position. Online orientation provided and serves to set students up for success in the on line learning environment 3
Conclusion A growing healthcare industry means the need for highly qualified and educated professionals is also growing. Nebraska Methodist College offers academic programs that reflect the most in-demand fields in the industry today. Many nursing and administrative professionals are choosing online education as way to progress their education due to the busy demands on their life. The follow programs are currently offered exclusively online: Nursing Programs RN to BSN RN to MSN, Nurse Educator MSN, Nurse Educator Post-Master s Certificate, Nurse Educator RN to MSN, Nurse Executive MSN, Nurse Executive Post-Master s Certificate, Nurse Executive RN to BSN, Nursing Academy Health Professions Programs BS, Healthcare Administration: Applied Clinical Ops MS, Health Promotion Management MS, Healthcare Operations Management NMC is the place for healthcare professionals who want to advance their education and move ahead in high-demand healthcare careers. Learn more about NMC Online: Laurel Zentner Admissions Representative laurel.zentner@methodistcollege.edu 402-354-7170 www.methodistcollege.edu Location: Quick Facts about NMC Omaha, NE Founded: 1891 Affiliation: Nebraska Methodist Health System Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Nursing: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Allied Health: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 4