Old new grad: take UHMS intro course?

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  1. This is a discussion on Old new grad: take UHMS intro course? in Hyperbaric Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... I started a new topic over in the careers area that has gotten no attention. Basically, I live...

    by Feb 8, '12
    I started a new topic over in the careers area that has gotten no attention. Basically, I live within commuting distance of several wound care centers. I recently applied for a hyperbaric technician job. One of the requirements of the job is to take the UHMS intro to hyperbaric medicine. This class is being held in my area in a couple of weeks. I feel that at this stage of my attempt at starting a career in nursing, that I should pick a specialty area and go for it. Do you think it would be a waste of time and money to take the class without a job? Or might it make me more desirable as a job candidate?
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    by hotflashion Feb 8, '12 7:00 am
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  2. 6 Comments so far...

  3. Feb 8, '12 by
    If you have any intention of becoming a CHRN or CHT you will have to take an introductory course in Hyperbaric Medicine in order to sit for either of those exams. And it would certainly help you get a job in wound care/hbot.
  4. Feb 8, '12 by
    Hi, CaliBoy, thanks for responding. Yes, I know I have to take the class, and there is one coming up near me in a couple of weeks. There's won't be another for awhile, so if I'm going to jump, I want to decide sooner rather than later. I guess I wonder what the demand for entry level HBOT's is? I could end up educated and inexperienced and therefore, not attractive to hiring managers. i.e., that's the boat I'm in now. Educated up to my ears and unemployed.

    What are you doing at the moment? Your posts that I've read say you are moving from HBOT to LVN.
  5. Feb 8, '12 by
    My career has come full circle. I was a CHT for 15 years and went back to school for my LVN. Really had no intention of going back to HBOT but saw an online ad for a hyperbaric nurse at the VA hospital in Long Beach. I started in Juanuary.

    If I were you I would definitely take the course. I think I paid around $1000 in 1995. But keep in mind that, depending on where you are located, there are only so many hyperbaric jobs available, be it techs or nurses. And if you are in L.A. or San Diego, there are literally hundreds of HBOT techs getting spit out by the local commercial diving colleges and they will work for peanuts. But having certification in either HBOT or Wound Care, or both, would certainly help you stand out. Trouble is, you can't sit for the exam until you have something like 600 clinical hours under your belt. Good info can be found at www.nbdhmt.org .
  6. Sep 17, '12 by
    Hello, i know this is a long shot, but are you still around on this topic? i would love to talk to you, see what you did, and kinda follow up w/ hbot stuffs! PM me if you want! Heather
  7. Sep 18, '12 by
    Hi, NewRN2008,

    For better or worse, I did not go in that direction; I got a job in assisted living and elder care is where I'm at now. But if you want to get into wound care, have the time, money and inclination, I'd say go for it. I always operate on the belief that no education is wasted, so I don't worry too much about immediate "payback," i.e. job offers. Definitely check/keep a watch on the Healogics website to see what jobs they are advertising near you.

    Good luck.
    Last edit by hotflashion on Sep 18, '12 : Reason: correct spelling error
  8. Sep 18, '12 by
    thanks for the info, but i was just seeing how you were doing honestly. i have a great job, and a huge timeline ahead of me for my career. heck, if i was to get another job, that would be bad bad bad

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