Baltimore College Grad Offers A Perspective Into The Healthcare Sector
Given the fact that the demand for trained, experienced healthcare practitioners is likely to grow as the population continues to age, this is a good time to consider earning a degree that is needed to make the jump into the healthcare sector. Offering her own perspective on the field is a recent college grad, Nicole Topolnicki. She is a licensed registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Tell us a little bit about your career and the various roles you've held.
"I started in 2005 as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and in 2007, I got my LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). I didn't stop there. In 2009, I received certification to be an RN (Registered Nurse) from Prince Georgia Community College. Finally, in 2012, I was awarded a BSN (Bachelor's of Science in Nursing) from College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Since late 2005, I've been working at MedStar Good Samaritan in Baltimore. The hospital has supported and helped me throughout my educational pursuits. Currently, I am working in the emergency department."
Can you give us a sense of how the job market for registered nurses has changed in Baltimore since you graduated?
"We're always short on nurses; we need all the help we can get. There is always a need for this profession, and there is always an extensive list of a job openings. The market has a lot of opportunity, and you don't have to work at a hospital either. There are many opportunities to work in a rehab or a medical center. There are also positions in nursing homes, physicians' offices and an option to work from home within case management."
How did your education prepare you for your current role?
"It prepared me greatly, especially the community college program. It gave me specific skills and how to be a professional, while my BSN went deeper into the business side of healthcare. In the field of nursing, you learn more on the job than in college."
"What comes as a little bit of a drawback is time shortage. However, it is imperative, regardless of a hectic schedule, to take more time to talk to patients. They can benefit from a conversation with a nurse that can help them learn more about their illness and suggested ways to treat or manage it."
Lesya Klymenko is a passionate writer who aims to deliver readers engaging news with every article. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
