Learning and thinking in new ways: Metropolitan Community College

voices-franklin.jpg [1]

Health care is a growing, exciting professional field of study and work.  It has been predicted that in the "new economy," 3 out of 5 new jobs will be in the health care area.  Integrating medical technology with the simple human touch, health care professionals serve around the clock, responding to the needs of millions of people—from newborns to very mature adults.

We are witnessing amazing medical advancements while also facing public health concerns related to lifestyle patterns like cigarette smoking, over-eating, too few fresh and nutritious food. We know so much about how to perform medical “miracles” while we are bombarded with confusing messages about how to best practice personal health habits.  The health care profession will be in great demand for many, many years to come. 

The time has never been better to enter the health care profession.  There are many opportunities for satisfying, well-paying jobs and plenty of opportunities for advancement. So if you just entering the workforce or you are considering a change in careers, a fresh look at the health care field may be worth your time. 

Consider the following:

• As the largest industry in 2006, health care provided 14 million jobs.
• 7 of the 20 fastest growing occupations are health care related.
• Health care will generate 3 million new jobs between 2006 and 2016, more than any other industry.
• 85% of health care professionals are women.
• Most workers have jobs that require less than 4 years of college education.
• Community colleges educate 60% of new nurses, 63% of allied health professionals and 85% of respiratory therapists.

(http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm [3])

Look no further than Metropolitan Community College.  In January 2010, MCC-Penn Valley will open a state-of-the-art Health Science Institute, offering 16 career options in health care.  The Health Science Institute will contain a unique education atmosphere which depends on less lectures and more stimulating hands-on learning.  Students from all of the health career programs learn to work together as they would in a real clinical setting, enhancing the learning experience and creating work-ready graduates who excel in clinical practice.

MCC – Penn Valley offers training in the following health care careers:

Nursing

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Practical Nursing (LPN)
• Professional Nursing (RN)

Allied Health

• Coding Specialist
• Dental Assistant
• EMT (basic and paramedic)
• Health Information Technologist
• Medical Transcriptionist
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Phlebotomist
• Pharmacy Technician
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Radiologic Technologist
• Surgical Technologist

Here is the salary scale for three of our most popular nursing programs. 

CNA: 8 week course Graduate average salary - $24,000

LPN: 12 month course          Graduate average salary - $38,400

RN: 24 month course          Graduate average salary - $53,000

You see you can have a good salary beginning with our CNA program, work a while and come back and study in our LPN program and move all the up to an RN. 

Some programs will be offered at other MCC campuses with expansion of online and distance learning in the very near future. Persons considering careers in health care should have a strong desire to help others, genuine concern for the welfare of patients and clients, and an ability to deal with people of diverse backgrounds in stressful situations.

Whether you’re entering a health career for the first time or expanding your knowledge in related health fields, check out the possibilities at www.mcckc.edu [4] . We’ll help you find your way. Hope to see you soon.  

Dr. Bernard Franklin is the President of Penn Valley Community College [5], which is one of five campus’ of the Metropolitan Community College. Before becoming President of Penn Valley in 2005, Dr. Franklin served as the executive director of Kauffman Scholars for three years; a multi-year initiative funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to help urban students from low-income families in Kansas City prepare for and complete a college education.