H60Medic

Thanks for the info. I have an App Epi Biostat Healthcare, NRDNP 860, in the first semester. I do not see a pure Epi or Patho class in my program. Jim

Good afternoon members of the 2011 MUSC DNP class. Any words do advice for on coming 2012 class? Any "I wish I knew that then" moments? Thoughts regarding class, books, clinical preceptor, I.T. Requirements etc.? Thanks for any input, Jim

I came across your inquiry and was curious as to feedback myself looking forward to applying for next year's DNP class. If you are unable to obtain any information please provide your thoughts as you partake of the course. Thanks, JIm

Good morning all, yes the NIOSH program is alive and doing well. I have one more semester after this current one and then I can take national boards as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. I can also continue my education in a NIOSH sponsored PhD. Here is a link to provide you with some info and a couple of points of contact: http://www.soph.uab.edu/dsc/OccupationalHealthNursing Hope this helps, Jim

I know that Ag is very important within the medical program but is not emphasized greatly in the NP program which is more geared towards the industrial hygiene arena. They do vary though based upon location. The NIOSH ERC home page may give you some better information. Jim PS: Figured I would throw in an update since this post started a couple of years ago. I have two more semesters left in my ANP program through UAB. Yes it is doable and yes it is paid in full through NIOSH. In hind-sight would I recommend it and would I do it again? Yes, and sooner, Jim

Drop me a line at my yahoo account and we can trade phone numbers. It will be a lot easier to discuss your questions that way. I am in my second semester and hopefully will be able to answer your questions. My email address is [email protected] Talk to you then, Jim

Melissa, have you looked into the Academic Common Market? I don't know where you live but in the southeast universities have instituted this program to allow in state tuition rates for out of state students if the state that they reside in does not have a comparable program. Dr. Heaton or Dr. Brown at UAB will know how to direct you in obtaining that info. I am loving the program, but ensure you set aside some study time each and every day. It comes at you fast. Best of luck, Jim

This link will provide info regarding the different academic education and research centers. You would need to link on each one to obtain information on what programs each offers as they differ. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/centers.html Jim

I was suprised re-reading the discussion that we had so long ago. I guess time is going to go by no matter what we are doing. Where are you located at? I am 3 hours away from Birmingham AL but it is doable for the free education and a little stipend to go along as well. Congrats on your COHN-S, I just took the test a month ago as I was waiting on completing my BSN. Sounds like a great OHN position if the manning level will allow it. I believe that any of the NIOSH centers have some sort of MSN program available for free. You may want to see which of them are closest to you or UAB for the NP program. Jim

Just an update to any in the group still around. I completed my BSN last December and my first semester in the NIOSH Occ Health/ANP program at UAB. It certainly is hard work, but like most things in life you get what you give and it is working out nicely. Jim

Great point and reminder! After reading your post I felt the need and sent my representatives along with the governor the following: As a retired Chief Petty Officer I entered the fire services as a firefighter/paramedic. I interviewed with several "brick and mortar" nursing programs to obtain education to become a registered nurse. None would support me in my bid for schooling and accommodate my need to work in order to sustain my family. The Excelsior nursing program was recommended to me by one of the emergency room nurses as a program to consider. That was four and a half years ago. This month I complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and have been accepted into the University of Alabama in Birmingham for a Masters program to start in January of 2009. I hold nursing license in the states of Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina in order to support the company I am employed with. I offer this letter in hope that you will continue to support the registered nurses in the State of Georgia who have graduated like I have from Excelsior College. I was honestly unaware of this until you brought it to our attention, Thank you.

Most say it's because your boss is a nurse also.

It is no secret that you generally have to know someone to get into OHN. My advice would be to find a local OHN organization. The one that I belong to generally has a new opening posted for the region every other week or so. Go to AAOHN.org also, the site has openings and contacts for your area. Once you get your foot in the door employers are more receptive. Hope this helps, Jim

Generally the larger the company the better the chance that they have an Occ Health RN. You should contact the AAOHN chapter closes to you, they are sometimes contacted to put the word on the street for a position. Or you could call a large company, asked for health services or medical, and then explain your request to them. If they don't have an opening or a temp position, they may steer you in a direction that will be of assistance.

I have seen new grads and old hands hired. It all comes down to timing and demand. ER skills are looked at for assessment reasons although EMS seems to be as good. As far as the other certs, you may want to get your audiometry, spirometry, CPR instructer, experiance in UDS/BAT collection, workman comp cert, ect., ect.,. Sometimes you can find a part-time position to get started. Try finding a local OHN association and get on thier mailing list, that will help.