1. Your Future in Health Care! Great News! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care services make up one of the largest industries in the U.S.

2. What does this mean to you? The Good… You will likely never be out of a job! You will be able to get a job just about anywhere! You will NEVER be bored! Tuition reimbursement and many ways to advance in your career! Even at the end of a really hard shift, you will know that you made a difference in someone’s life!

3. What does this mean to you? The Bad… You may have to work weekends, holidays, and odd shifts If you are not already, you may become a hypochondriac People will always ask you for medical advice BEFORE talking to their doctor You may never look at people the same way again

4. What does this mean to you? The Ugly … You may have to work mandatory overtime You will be asked/pressured to work over-time and may be made to feel guilty for taking time off You are exposed to pathogens You will learn that bad things happen to good people and vice versa Patient’s die…and sometimes despite our best efforts Patient’s can die if you make a mistake…attention to detail is importent!

5. Do YOU have what it takes? Essential Qualities of Health Care Professionals Care about others Have integrity Be dependable Work well with others Be flexible Be willing to learn Strive to be cost conscious

6. Caring for Others Apply your knowledge and skills to decrease suffering and increase the well-being of others Be willing to put the needs of patients ahead of your own Have respect for all people

7. Integrity Pinkie Promise Be honest at all times Respect the privacy of others Be loyal to your employer Accept responsibility for your actions

8. Be Dependable Be at work on time and as scheduled Follow through and finish all scheduled tasks Perform work accurately and completely Work without needing constant supervision and reminders

9. Work Well With Others …AKA…Play Nice! Strive to understand the feelings and needs of others Be courteous and considerate Use good communication skills Cooperate and contribute to the achievement of group goals Take direction and willingly from supervisors…be open to constructive criticism

10. Be Flexible Be willing to adapt to changing conditions and emergencies Do what is needed to carry out tasks Acquire knowledge and skills necessary to stay current with changes in the way health care is delivered

11. Be willing to Learn Keep skills up-to-date Ask questions, attend workshops, read professional publications Continue to learn new skills

12. Strive to be Cost Conscious Look for ways to improve patient care while maintaining or lowering expenses Work efficiently and take care not to waste supplies

13. Standards for Health Care Professionals Established to protect the public from potential harm caused by incompetence Testing determines whether professionals have met specific standards e.g. (NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN, USMLE for M.D’s) Ensures that professionals master at least the minimum knowledge and skills to SAFELY and COMPETENTLY practice Note: some occupations require back-ground checks which prevents criminals from being able to certification exams

14. Certification, Registration, Licensure…oh my!