Students who choose to work in medicine or healthcare have an exciting and highly rewarding career in store. But of course, the journey to get to that career might present challenges, such as finding the right school, figuring out the required certifications (if necessary), passing the require examinations and of course, deciding how to pay for it all. The good news is that there are many resources available to help students through the educational aspect, as well as resources to help them when they do land that career and begin working in the healthcare field. This guide provides a list of those resources to get you started on the road to success – no matter where in the journey you are.
Education & Training
The single biggest challenge for anyone working toward a career in healthcare is getting the necessary education. This applies not only to prospective healthcare students, but to those currently working in the medical profession. You might be starting from scratch, about to attend your very first college class. Or you might be in the midst of a comfortable career but feel the need to enhance your management prospects or have your eye on that promotion. Or perhaps you’re in healthcare already, but you’re quite interested in making a lateral move to another area of the hospital or clinic. Whatever the case may be, additional education can help you get there. These resources are a great place to begin the important job of getting through the training and education you’ll need to pursue something new.
Accelerated Training Programs
Accelerated (or “Fast-Track”) programs give experienced students a way to earn credentials faster than traditional courses or programs. Already an LPN and looking to earn a bachelor’s? See if an accelerated program makes sense for you.
Accreditation for Online Colleges
Flexible education is a must in today’s fast-paced, multi-task world, but it’s essential to earn a degree that employers will trust. If you’re considering an online program, get the inside scoop on what accreditation is and why it matters.
Clinicals & Fieldwork for Online Healthcare Students
Online degree programs are giving more and more people the opportunity to join nursing, dental and other in-demand healthcare fields. But how do in-person clinical and fieldwork experiences work for online students? Learn all about hands-on training requirements in popular online healthcare programs and how to make the most of your experience.
Healthcare Education & Community Colleges
Community colleges are a great way to get the education and training you need quickly and affordably. They have lower tuition, a wide range of student services, and a growing number of online courses and programs for healthcare students. This guide breaks down the benefits of starting your healthcare education journey at the two-year level.
How to Choose Your Pre-Med Major
From the most popular to the underrated, learn which pre-med major will best prepare you for your dream job in healthcare and get expert insight from a med school dean of admissions on making the right choice.
Transferring Your Healthcare Program
Learn what you need to know about transferring, from choosing the right school and applying to your program to securing financial aid and ensuring you’re ready to make the move.
Mentorship in Healthcare & Medicine
Mentorship in healthcare benefits students, new and seasoned professionals, patients and employers alike. Find programs in your field that fit your experience level and interests and get expert advice for making the most of your mentorship experience.
Studying Abroad as a Medical/Healthcare Student
Thinking about study abroad? This guide breaks down what you can gain from a study abroad experience, how to choose the right program, ways to save and pay for the trip, and much more to ensure you are prepared for the adventure ahead.
Study Skills for Healthcare Students
No matter which healthcare profession you enter, you need to study. Whether you’re about to enter a certificate or degree program, or you’re getting ready for a career-boosting exam. If this sounds like you, see what the experts say are the best ways to study in healthcare education.
The Power of Upskilling, Re-skilling, & Certificate Stacking
Things change fast in the world of healthcare. To meet the advancing demands of the industry, healthcare professionals and employers are turning to upskilling, re-skilling and certificate stacking. Learn how you can advance your career and salary with these strategies.
Volunteering in Healthcare
Volunteering in healthcare is a great way to acquire new skills and network with future employers. Learn how you can meet your career goals while also making a difference in the life of others with a volunteer position in healthcare.
Health & Wellness
College is a challenging time on many levels. Even when classes are relatively easy, there’s still the task of balancing personal and work lives with what the school requires. For some, there’s intense pressure to graduate and get the highest grades possible. So, it’s common for college students, especially those in medical and health-related programs, to be under a lot of stress – and as everyone knows, as stress levels go up, good health can begin to suffer.
Finding some time to relax, breathe, and simply step away from school for a day is healthy and strongly encouraged. Here are a few ideas to help students to stay healthy, relax, and reduce their stress levels. Some of these resources have suggestions that might take time away from school, but the benefits will more than make up for any lost time studying.
25 Colleges Prioritizing Health & Wellness
From campus meditation and bicycle programs to farmer’s markets and school-wide recycling, learn how colleges are prioritizing physical, mental, social, global, and food health and discover which schools are leading the way.
50 Dynamite Discounts for Nursing Students
From scrubs and medical equipment to transportation and housing, nurses and nursing students can find tons of discounts to help them get through school and work. These are just 50 awesome discounts to take advantage of as a nursing student.
Achieving Work-Life Balance in Healthcare
Whether you’re working in healthcare or studying to become a health professional, learn why those in the healthcare industry are at higher risk for burnout and gather tips for striking balance between your personal and professional lives.
Cognitive Impairment Education Guide
Fewer than 1 in 5 seniors receive annual check-ups for signs of cognitive impairment. And with more than 6 million people in the United States living with some form of dementia, why is testing so rare? Learn the key warning signs of cognitive impairment and how you can help those who live and work with it.
Combatting Heart Disease: Education & Advocacy Guide
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Learn about the different types of heart disease, how to spot the telltale symptoms in yourself or a loved one, and which careers and degrees are making the biggest difference in heart care.
Comfort Care Resources & Support
Whether you’re caring for a family member, friend, or someone else, understanding which options you have is key. Learn about the different types of comfort care and gather the resources you need to provide the care that you want.
Getting Health Insurance Out of Open Enrollment
While missing the deadline for the open enrollment period can feel stressful, there are still ways to get health coverage. Learn how to get health insurance outside of open enrollment, explore special options to get insured, and find answers to your important insurance questions.
Healthy Sleep for Healthcare Students & Professionals
Having a hard time getting enough zzz’s? Sleep can be hard to come by for healthcare professionals and students. Learn about common sleeping disorders and find advice, tips, and resources for getting more shuteye in this guide.
How to Quit Smoking: Education & Advocacy
Quitting tobacco is challenging, but not impossible. From taking the first step to becoming completely tobacco-free, find the quitting method that works for you and gather the tools and resources you need to stop smoking for good.
Lowering Your Healthcare Expenses & Medical Bills
With healthcare costs in the United States continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to find ways to save. Learn insider tips and tricks for lowering your medical bills and expenses, and where to turn for help when you can’t afford to pay.
Mental Health & Wellness as a Medical Professional
Even those who take care of others need a little TLC once in a while. Stress and sleeplessness are real challenges for those in all areas of medical and health. Read about the top mental health issues that medical professionals face, including warning signs and where to get help.
Online Guide to Compassion Fatigue
Working with patients brings you joy, but it can also wear you down. If you help people in a medical and health capacity, you may have felt stress and burnout, but have you experienced compassion fatigue? Learn the warning signs and what to do if you recognize them in you.
Online Guide to Eating Healthy in College
In this guide, you’ll find simple, creative ways to eat nutritiously in college without breaking the bank. You’ll also receive expert advice from a nutritionist and registered dietitian on how to make smart food choices.
Pro-Vaccine Advocacy & Education Guidebook
Vaccines play a key role in keeping our communities healthy. But immunizations are now under attack by a growing movement of vaccine deniers. In this guide, you’ll learn all the ways you can stand up for vaccinations, educate others, and stop the spread of misinformation and disease.
STDs, STIs, and Staying Safe During Intimacy
If you or someone you know have questions about STIs and STDs, where and how to get tested, and what to do if a test comes back positive, this expert-backed guide is the right place to start.
Stress Management Guide for Healthcare Students
The demands of medical school and other healthcare college programs can cause high levels of stress, which can lead to issues like burnout, anxiety and depression. Learn how to keep your stress under control and where to turn for help in this guide.
Substance Abuse in Healthcare
Learn about the risk of substance abuse in healthcare professionals, discover how to recognize the warning signs in yourself and others, and get expert advice and resources for staying or getting sober.
The Caregiver’s Handbook
Caring for a loved one can be one of the most challenging and most rewarding responsibilities out there. Whether you’re new to caregiving or you’ve been caring for someone for years, get details on some of the toughest challenges and read three keys to maximizing caregiving success.
The Definitive Guide to Senior Care
Finding the right senior care is easier said than done. There’s understanding the options available, choosing the one that works best for you and your loved one, lining up financing if needed, and another dozen things to consider. Use our guide to make the search easier and take our quiz to help you and your family move forward.
Virus & Disease Prevention and You
Whether it’s washing your hands and preparing your food safely or going into quarantine when you’re sick, learn how you can do your part to stop the spread of disease at school, work, the hospital, and even at home.
Special Interest Students
Sometimes, it pays to be a little different. Students who are of a minority group, those who served in the military, or even those who choose a career a bit off the beaten path can all find resources and assistance that is tailored to their special status. This also applies to those who are choosing a career on the basis of being able to help those who are members of underserved groups, or those who are members of certain groups that need help in a special way, such as wounded veterans or those with disabilities.
The following is a list of organizations and resources that can help students with special interests. Keep in mind that this list is just a starting point – there are thousands of special interest groups out there!
Must-Have Resources for Low Income College Students
If you’re a low-income student, there are dozens of valuable resources available to you, you just need to know where to look. From academic preparation and mentorship to financial aid, find resources to make earning your degree more than just a dream.
Resources for Students with Disabilities
College students with disabilities often face challenges that other students don’t. If you, a friend, or a loved one have a disability, this guide outlines your rights, provides resources, and can help navigate the academic and social realities of college.
Health Professionals
Whether you’ve reached your dream career in healthcare or you’re working one job while going to school to pursue something more advanced, being a healthcare professional doesn’t mean you’re done learning. In fact, most of your learning may still be ahead of you. Healthcare professional, whether a medical assistant or a nurse practitioner, are constantly gaining new knowledge, fine-tuning their existing skills, and taking on new and challenging responsibilities.
The following resources can help you, as a health professional, be a better practitioner, take your skills to new states, expand your professional network, and much more.
How to Thrive in Rural Healthcare
Discover the benefits of working in rural areas as a healthcare professional, take away tips for thriving in these remote locations, and get your important questions answered by a real rural health professional.
Make a Difference in Medical & Health
Watching someone get healthier on your watch is beyond rewarding. You can make a difference in so many ways, including with a career in healthcare. Read about today’s career in care where you can make a direct impact with patients.
Networking Guide for Nurses
Whether you’re looking to find employment or advance your current nursing career, learn about the importance of networking as a nurse and take away tips and expert advice on making meaningful career connections.
Patient’s Guide to Telehealth
COVID-19 has changed the way we do just about everything including how we receive healthcare. Learn how telehealth is helping millions get the care they need and get the information you need to sign up, see a doctor, and find treatment fast.
Supporting COVID-19’s Healthcare Heroes
Learn how you can support our front-line healthcare workers as they battle COVID-19 through volunteering, donations, or even joining the front lines yourself with a degree in healthcare.
Transferring Your Professional License to Other States
With many states having a unique set of licensing and certification requirements for nurses and other medical and healthcare professionals, moving your career across states can be tricky. Learn how to transfer your license or certification to another state today.