In no particular order, the following schools offer quality health education programs at a variety of levels and specialties. So if you’re preparing for a career in health, these schools are great options.

Ashford University (Clinton, Iowa)
Ashford University prides itself on offering one of the lowest tuition costs for a private school in the Midwest, while still providing low student-teacher ratios. The college has about 4,000 students who have the option of attending classes on campus or participating in an online program. Ashford’s health education options include Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology, Clinical Cytotechnology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Health Care Administration, Health Science, Health Science Administration, Natural Science, and Nuclear Medicine Technology. http://www.ashford.edu/home/

Eagle Gate College (Utah)
Eagle Gate College has campuses in Salt Lake City, Layton, and Murray, as well as an online program. The college offers Diploma and Associate’s programs that take about 12-18 months to complete. Some of the health programs include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Professional Massage and Bodywork, Personal Fitness Training, Pharmacy Tech, and Medical Insurance Billing and Coding. http://www.eaglegatecollege.edu/index.php

Miller-Motte Technical College (Southeast US)
MMTC offers a variety of programs, from Certificates (Therapeutic Massage) and Diplomas (Professional Massage Therapist, Medical Office Assistant) to Associate’s (Surgical Technology, Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting) and Bachelor’s Degrees (Allied Health Management). They have seven campuses in Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. http://www.miller-motte.com/

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In November of 2007 Dennis Quaid and his wife, Kimberly learned that their newborn twins were given a potentially lethal overdose of the drug Heparin. On accident. Upon further investigation it was learned that the error was precipitated by two different doses of Heparin being labeled similarly – leading the health care worker to administer the wrong dosage. The Quaids are not alone.

The 8th annual MEDMARX data report was released Tuesday by U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) revealing a list of 1,400 commonly used drugs that were given in error due to their sound-alike or look-alike names. The findings report that 1.4% of the errors were associated with patient harm – seven of those may have been involved in the death of the patient.

USP (www.usp.org) a private, independent research-based public health organization tasked with setting public-standards for all prescription and over-the-counter meds and dietary supplements as well as other health care products distributed in the United States. Their standards of practice are utilized in 130 countries world wide. In response to increasing med errors USP developed MEDMARX in 1998. MEDMARX provides an anonymous avenue for health care providers to report medication errors. MEDMARX analyzes and tracks those errors, processing 1.2 million drug errors from over 870 health care agencies across the United States since its birth.

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Many students select the route to a medical degree in an international setting. On the surface it appears to be a good alternative to institutions of North America when their grades are not quite up to the test of competition, costs are prohibitive, and even the lure of other countries has its appeal.

However, statistics from the US Medical Licensing Exam, less than 42% of Americans studying abroad pass step 1 of the test, because there are cultural issues. Few will want to discuss the realities, but it is important to know what the social climate is if venturing to any country other than Canada. This was pointed out with a recent article about a school in Sweden: but could have been almost anywhere.

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Guest article by Lara Alspaugh

As an educator, I have seen hundreds of men and women of all ages and backgrounds make a bid for licensure as a Registered Nurse. Some I have watched struggle, others I have watched fly through school with an ease that is envious. While they certainly all had the desire, I believe some of them conducted themselves in a way that was more likely to ensure success. Here are some tips to ensure your success in nursing school.

1. Be Professional ~ Where other courses of study may tolerate more flexibility in dress, behavior and professionalism, nursing will not. Nursing has struggled to be regarded as a profession and we take the level of professionalism you bring to the student table very seriously. Abide by the dress code your school subscribes to at all times. Treat your patients, fellow students, professors, and nursing staff at clinical sites with respect. Be on time; both physically and with assigned work. While this may seem an easy tip to follow, many students falter here putting their success in jeopardy.
2. Develop a core study group ~ People tend to only remember 10% of what they read, 50% of what they hear and see, 70% of what they say and 90% of what they say and do. By developing a study group that meets regularly and works thru information in a myriad of ways, you will be better prepared. Try taking turns teaching the information to each other, act out the skills you’re being tested on as you talk thru them with your group and support each other. You will be more successful.
3. Limit outside obligations ~ I certainly understand, as do most nursing professors, that there simply is no way to avoid all distractions. While many nursing programs suggest you do not work while enrolled, for most students that is simply not a possibility. We all like to eat, have heat and pay our tuition! Balancing work, school and family can be rigorous. Scheduling your time can only be done by you. Do it wisely. [Read more →]

All right, maybe the title was a bit over board. After all we are humans, and as such we are susceptible to getting sick once in a while.

That being said, there are many tips and measures that you can use to improve your immune system and reduce the chances of getting that common yet annoying cold. Some people can go for years in a row without getting this seasonal illness.

If you are used to getting at least a couple of colds or flus throughout the year, I am sure that the tips below will help you, check it out!

1. Hygiene is paramount. Viruses and bacteria usually spread through human contact, so make sure to wash your hands frequently. It is also a good idea to not share drinking glasses, towels, soap and so on.

2. Proper nutrition. You should be eating healthy not only to avoid colds and flus, but if they can act as motivators, so be it. A varied and balanced diet with large quantities of fruit and vegetables can do wonders for your immune system. Remember to drink a lot of water as well.

3. Exercise regularly. The same message applies here. You should already be exercising regularly to improve your overall health condition. If you are not, get started. Swim, ride a bike, walk. Any form of aerobic exercise, if done on a regular basis, will greatly improve your immune system.

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