Benedictine University offers two master’s degree programs that can benefit health care professionals who are seeking to enhance their marketability and multiply their career options.

The two-year Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology (M.C.E.P.) program, the only one of its kind in the Chicago area, is a perfect complement for nurses and nursing students interested in learning the most current and advanced procedures in evaluating and treating cardiac and pulmonary patients.

"The M.C.E.P. program will also help nursing students gain advanced clinical knowledge in how diet and exercise play a major role in the prevention and treatment of other lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes," said Craig Broeder, director of the M.C.E.P. program at Benedictine University

The M.C.E.P. program uses a case study approach in combination with laboratories to better integrate academic information with practical application.

"Our program is more science-based and medically-oriented than many programs which are based in physical education," Broeder said.

M.C.E.P. students are introduced to the latest information from the natural sciences through graduate-level courses in physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and nutrition.

"Our graduates are found in leadership roles in a variety of professional settings including hospitals, independent rehabilitation programs, agencies, schools, corporations and health clubs," said Allison Wilson, associate professor in the Department of Biology at Benedictine University.

Meanwhile, the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program prepares highly competent professionals for the rapidly changing world of health and health care. Students become broadly educated in the core disciplines of public health, and may concentrate in one of several areas that reflect the current and emerging needs of the profession.

The M.P.H. is a generalist degree that may be applied to a wide range of population-based health concerns. Students may concentrate in Health Education, Administration of Health Care Institutions, Management of Health Information Systems, Health Policy, Community Nutrition/Dietetic Internship and Disaster Management.

"About 20 percent of our graduates are registered nurses," said Alan Gorr, director of the M.P.H. program at Benedictine University. "Many have specialized in community health nursing, school nursing, nursing administration and disaster management. These are areas where nursing education is combined with institutional and societal concerns.

"Public health professions work to make the conditions in society, environment and our institutions conducive to better health," Gorr added. "The careers of many nurses evolve to embrace these concerns. The master’s program can help them become participants and leaders in the interdisciplinary work that builds healthier communities, homes and workplaces."

M.P.H. students intern with one of several local organizations with which Benedictine University has established ties such as Healthy DuPage, the American Medical Association and the Kane County Health Department.

"By working with these organizations, our interns gain practical experience," said Jon Swanson, Ph.D., internship director for the M.P.H. program. "A good internship is often the No. 1 factor in finding a job."

Health care is a dynamic field, says Barbara Sonderling; "there are many professional opportunities and exciting career options." And with its series of Health Care Pathways online programs, Kaplan College is making even more advancement opportunities available.

Located in Davenport, Iowa, Kaplan College offers a variety of online programs for health care professionals who are seeking ways to expand their careers. Sonderling, RN, Esq., is Executive Director, Kaplan College's Health Care Pathways online certificate programs, including its newest offering, a Case Management Certificate available as an online, 12 month, non-credit program. Other offerings include Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, and Life Care Planning.

"Case Management is an integral component of modern health care delivery systems," Sonderling said. "We provide a comprehensive educational program for health care professionals who desire to pursue a successful case management career. Graduates may work in a diversity of practice settings, including hospitals, insurance companies, managed care organizations, and independent practice."

Sonderling coordinates with subject-matter experts in the development of new online programs aimed at the evolving demands of the health care industry. One such expert is Patricia McCollom, RN, MS, CRRN, CDMS, CCM, CLCP, who not only helped to develop the case management program but also serves as one of the instructors. McCollom worked with other industry leaders, including Paul Deutsch, Ph.D., a certified case manager, to incorporate case management standards of practice, tools, models, and quality measures into an innovative, online environment.

Designed for busy health care professionals, the online program is convenient and accessible – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students progress at their own pace and complete the courses in sequence because, as McCollom said, they are set up so that each one is the foundation for the next. According to Sonderling, "The Health Care Pathways programs provide health care professionals with challenging Web-based learning opportunities via message boards, online readings, academic exercises, and Web field trips. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate from regionally accredited Kaplan College, reflecting achievement of proficiency in the field. Students gain the requisite knowledge to confidently pursue their dynamic new health-care career path." Sonderling added that students are able to communicate with faculty, fellow students, academic advisors, and student services via message board, internal e-mail, live chat or a toll-free phone number. "We encourage communication and interaction," Sonderling said. "We strive to build a sense of community and are committed to assisting our students."

Sonderling explained, "Our students are already licensed health care professionals. Our programs are the perfect supplement to their existing clinical experience and skills." McCollom agreed. "You have to be an advanced practitioner to become a case manager." Health and human services professionals eligible for enrollment include: registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation counselors, psychologists, and medical doctors.

According to McCollom, "Case management helps (patients) get through a serious injury, a hospital stay, or a catastrophic illness. Case managers coordinate the goods and services a person needs. Many hospitals have a case management department to ensure that care is not fragmented, but coordinated. Case managers promote quality, cost-effective health care in the best interest of patients and their families."

McCollom adds, "Patients see us as someone who's there for them to help them through the maze of health care." By coordinating medical care and responding to patient questions and concerns, the case manager provides a valuable benefit in the delivery of health care.

Each Kaplan College Health Care Pathways program offers a distinct opportunity to add specialized knowledge for a rewarding career. With the Case Management Certificate, health and human services professionals become instrumental in the promotion of quality, cost-effective health care by utilizing strategies to assess, plan, and manage health care and human services. The Life Care Planning Certificate, for registered nurses and qualified rehabilitation professionals, cultivates skills necessary to develop and organize a concise life care plan for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs. With the Forensic Nursing Certificate, registered nurses explore the scientific investigation and treatment of victims and perpetrators of abuse, violence, criminal activity, sexual assault, and traumatic events. The Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate adds valuable legal skills for registered nurses to pursue opportunities at law firms specializing in personal injury or medical malpractice, with health care facilities in risk management, or in independent practice.

Resurrection Health Care offers two new career enrichment opportunities for experienced and entry level nurses working within its health care system and interested in jump starting their professional development and transitioning into a critical care/emergency nursing career.

The first eight-week Critical Care and Emergency Advancement Program for experienced nurses finished up in June while the next session for entry-level nurses begins in September. The programs are presented by the Resurrection Learning Institute, which is part of the Department of Education and Organizational Development at Resurrection Health Care. Instructed by nurse educators, physicians, administrators and other health care experts, the program takes an interdisciplinary approach as it blends both classroom instruction and hands-on training.

"This program is a great opportunity for nurses who thrive on a fast-paced work setting and who have been waiting for the most compelling motivation to advance their careers," said Bernie Henry, vice president, Human Resources. "It also provides Resurrection Health Care with a unique incentive to attract the best and the brightest to our nursing team."

According to Rebecca Rufo, Resurrection Health Care system educator and a nurse for more than 20 years, both programs not only provide the comprehensive clinical education needed to succeed in critical care, but also the professional development necessary to thrive in the fast-paced, high-tech environment of an ICU or Emergency Department.

"The courses are well-rounded as it also instructs on professional challenges such as communication, conflict resolution and leadership principles," Rufo added.

The four-month critical care/emergency department nursing program will open in September for new nursing school graduates recently hired to work within Resurrection Health Care. While the coursework will be structured similarly to the experienced nurse program, the content will be more in-depth.

"The program is geared to give these nurses the clinical experience and background needed to work in critical care and the solid foundation for a successful career," Rufo said.

From a Human Resource perspective, both advanced training programs strengthen the overall package of choosing a nursing career within Resurrection Health Care, Henry said.

"Because of the advanced skill level and high caliber expertise needed in critical care and emergency department nursing, these positions are often the most challenging to employ," Henry said. "This program motivates new and experienced nurses to take that next step toward a career in critical care nursing and ensures that Resurrection Health Care maintains the most competent nursing staff available to treat our most critically ill patients."

Rufo agrees that this program only makes Resurrection Health Care nurses more valuable. "This program will bring more skilled, knowledgeable critical thinking nurses to the bedside of the patients," she added.