Day: March 29, 2020

Career Insight: Nursing Home Administrator

Medical and healthcare students and workers are in a great position to remain employed and to advance into the ranks of management and nursing home administrators are no exception
Baby boomers currently make up a large portion of the population and as they age, the demand for medical and health care services is growing. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics projects it to grow 17 percent between 2014 and 2024.Doctor and Nurse with patient at desk
That’s quite a bit more than the 11 percent average growth for all occupations. And, it translates into an addition of 56,300 jobs! In May 2014, medical and healthcare managers held 33,300 jobs nationwide not in hospitals, but in nursing care facilities.
So if you are a student who is considering a career as a nursing home administrator, you have a long, secure career to look forward to.
Entry into the realm of management in medical and health care services requires at least a Bachelor’s Degree, though Master Degree holders fare better.
Health administration and healthcare management majors are better prepared for the higher levels of management in this field since they require courses like hospital management, accounting and budgeting, law and ethics and strategic planning. In other words, the best prepared workers are well-trained in both patient care and financial management.
If you are pursuing a career specifically in nursing home administration, round out your studies with a concentration in long-term care, gerontology, patient rights or nursing home administration.
Nursing Home Administrator Job Description
Nursing home administrators are responsible for managing ‘the whole ball of wax’ including the employees, the admissions process, financial matters, the building, and of course, the patient care and nursing home activities. Large facilities may also have assistant administrators who help with daily decisions and who may manage clinical aspects of the facility such as surgery, therapy or medical records.
All states require nursing home administrators to be licensed, so check out this table of state-by-state requirements at the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards website (http://www.nabweb.org/nursing-home-administrators-licensure-requirements)
Salary and Hours
Nursing home administrators typically work full time like their other medical management colleagues and may work nights, weekends, overnight and even on holidays. However, in 2014, median pay for Nursing and residential care managers was $78,540per year.
Medical services management, including nursing home administration is definitely a field to explore for a healthy career over the next ten years.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

DEAR REWORKER: THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER IS CLEANING HOUSE

Dear ReWorker,
I am a manager in a retail business and have been there for over six years. Recently, a new general manager took over, and she seems to be cleaning house and hiring her own team. I have found out that a supervisor (we\’ll call him John) that reports directly to me is being asked to step down and he does not want to. The GM targeted him because he said he wanted to leave retail and was looking elsewhere. His replacement is coming from within our district, and she is a \”favorite\” of my district manager. I feel this is just an ill attempt to promote her and find an easy spot for her. John has had no performance documentation or any write ups for performance. He is actually very good at his job and isn\’t disengaged.
Can my managers and company do this? It\’s also important to note that I don\’t believe that my corporate HR knows the real actions behind this internal promotion and that someone is being pushed out to make it happen.
Sincerely,
Concerned Manager
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Concerned Manager,
Short answer: Yes. They can do this. The only way it would be \”no\” in this case is if the new general manager targeted John because he was male and she prefers women.
The question you didn\’t ask, but the one I will answer anyway, is should the general manager do this? The answer to that is more complicated.
It is extremely common for new managers to bring in their own people. They\’ve worked with them before, they know this person will bring good results, there\’s no time lost building relationships, and it\’s just more fun. But, it may or may not be good. If the previous general manager had a completely different personality and built up the staff around her personality or leadership style, it can be difficult to get people to change. If the new general manager got her job precisely because her boss wanted big changes, this can be the fastest way to do so.
However, I think you should wait and see in most situations. Find out who will work well with you and who won\’t, then make decisions. Lots of companies don\’t allow a wholesale changing of leadership when a new big boss comes to town.
In the specific case of John, though, he told people he wanted to leave. He told them he was actively job hunting. If you\’re the new general manager, and you have a supervisor who doesn\’t want to be there, no matter how effective he is at his job, and you have an employee you know to be great who earned a promotion and just needs a spot to open up, it makes a lot of sense to promote the person who wants to be there and let go of the person who doesn\’t want to be there .
Lesson is this: Don\’t tell people you don\’t like your job and are looking to move on unless you\’re 100 percent sure they\’ll support you until you do leave.
Your ReWorker,
Suzanne Lucas, Evil HR Lady
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Certificate vs Associate Degree – Make the Right Choice

Many students enter the continuing education arena with the belief that an associate degree program and a certificate program are the same thing. While associate degree programs may prepare a student to obtain certification in their chosen area or career field, it is not the same thing as a certificate program. In general, an associate degree is a very broad term, encompassing a varied educational platform. Certificate degrees are extremely focused in their objective(s) and are related to a specific job or career niche.
Besides this general difference, there are three main differences between the two: the requirements to begin the program, the length of time towards completion, and the number of transferable education units earned at the end of the program.
Three differences Between Associate Degree Programs and Certificate Programs
Requirements for acceptance: In most cases, a certificate program will have one or more requirements before a candidate may be accepted. Depending on the focus of the certification, applicants may need to have a certain level of career experience or educational experience before they can be admitted into the program. Associate degree programs differ in the sense that anyone with a high school diploma, or who has passed the General Education Development (GED) test, may begin an AA program.
Length of time towards completion: While there are exceptions, in most cases it takes students one year (two semesters) to complete a certificate program. As mentioned above, the programs are tailored to individuals who already have specific academic and/or experiential knowledge of the subject. Certificate programs provide additional focused education, and further training, towards a measurable level of competence as a certificated “expert” in the subject. Certificates are often obtained as an add-on to an associate degree.
Associate degree programs require two years of full-time classroom attendance in order to complete a degree. Depending on the educational facility’s schedule, students complete the classes by quarter or semester, so it takes eight quarters or four semesters to receive an associate’s degree. While an associate program may allow you to choose a specific area of focus, such as accounting, or IT, it is a platform for furthering your education and requires a host of general education courses as well.
Education units earned at the end of the program: A certificate program may or may not provide you with transferable education units, and therefore may not put you in position to further your education if that is your ultimate goal. For example, if you have been working in an office as a bookkeeper, you may be able to begin a bookkeeping certification program with a few online classes, your current work experience, and the completion of an exam. But should you desire to continue to receive your associate degree or bachelor degree, your certification courses may not count in an accredited university system.
An associate degree program at an accredited college is structured in such a way that students can use those credits to continue their education, pursuing a bachelors or master’s degree immediately, or using the credits to transfer into a different school/program. Students who have achieved an associate’s degree will have completed units from a comprehensive course list, rather than a single subject area.
For further clarification regarding whether or not an associate degree program is right for you, contact the admissions counselors at Bryant & Stratton College.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Tracking Time for Better Results

Going back to school can be quite overwhelming. One of the biggest obstacles new college students face is managing their time appropriately. Time Management can be particularly tricky for online students because although you have the flexibility of logging into your courses at any time, many of you will be working full-time jobs and have family obligations that you must fit your schoolwork around.
So how do you get into the groove of being a new online student?
It all starts with making a conscious effort to use your time wisely. It can be as simple as placing Post-it notes around the house so that you are consistently forcing yourself to be conscious of time. Another option is to keep a journal to log what you are doing with your time throughout the day. Keeping a time journal can be very eye-opening. You might find that the time you spend on the sofa watching television each night adds up to over 12 hours each week!
Or you might find out you spend too much time on Facebook, playing Xbox, surfing the web, playing FarmVille or even sleeping. Don’t panic- I am not saying to give any of these things up. I am trying to help you be more conscious of how you are spending your time, so you can manage it better and also keep up with your schoolwork. There is nothing worse, or easier, than procrastination. Admit it. You have been there at some point in in your life.
The evening is dwindling away; your assignment is due at midnight and you are thinking of all the other times that you could have (and should have) been getting your assignments done. By making an effort to be aware of how you are spending your time, you will be more likely to plan ahead so you don’t end up a victim of procrastination. It is important to remember that to be successful at managing your time, you will need to reward yourself.
Set your boundaries and make sure that for so every so many hours you spend being productive, you also allow yourself an hour to do something you truly enjoy. I hope this helps you get on the right path to being more productive and having less stress in your life.
Please add any additional questions, comments or tips that you have about time management in the comment section below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Where to get the Best UVM Food

Whether you’re new to campus or a seasoned senior, you’re bound to want be on the lookout for some comfort food on campus.  If you need a study break or you’re afraid that you’ll run out of points before the semester ends, these on campus eateries will provide you the best of food and service.

UVM Food Choices – The Best of:

Bang for your Buck: The Harvest Café

Looking for a meal after hours?  Within the hours of 5am and 3am, you can fill your tray with healthy, locally harvested options for just a few dollars. The Harvest Café prepares meals worth the walk across campus. Whether you’re stuck on campus when the dining halls are closed or you’re looking to meet a date in scrubs, YELP gives this hospital food 4 stars.

If your parents are visiting: The Waterman Manor

Show off a little at the Waterman Manor, where you can enjoy an a la care menu of local foods served to you by a friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Rub elbows with University administrators, bring a date, or just enjoy the views of the lake from the back balcony!

For specialty items that meet your dietary needs:  The Marché

Enjoy the specialty items offered in The Marche, from the pizza oven, to smoothie bar, to make your own salad station. There are Vegan / Gluten-Free / Kosher options, including a mini grocery for your convenience!

For a stacked sandwich: Alice’s Café

Whether for breakfast or lunch, the staff at Alice’s make a mean sandwich. With your choice of bread and all the right fixings, a sandwich from Alice’s Café is one of the most satisfying ways to spend your points on campus.  Plus! Bring your own mug for coffee – all vessels charged the same price!

For the International Palate: The Marketplace

Looking for something with cultural flare? Check the menu at the Marketplace, which changes every day of the week. Sample Sukhi’s samosas & pakoras, or enjoy freshly prepared sushi. You’ll find plenty of comfort foods with an international twist.

For the underground music scene: Brennan’s Pub

Enjoy this unique on-campus pub, conveniently located on the ground floor of the Davis Center. Find a cozy lounge chair, where you can snack on complementary popcorn and listen to live music while you wait for your specialty burger and fries to be ready.
Still need some inspiration? Check out these tasty on-campus culinary creations by nom de plume Dude Hubris on Tumblr. You’ll be skipping off to the cafeteria in no time!  There’s food on campus for every palate and if you can’t find it the way it’s cooked at home, you can put your skills to the test and create your favorite flavors in a new way.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

DEAR REWORKER: AS A MIDDLE MANAGER, HOW CAN I IMPROVE THE TOXIC CULTURE AT MY COMPANY?

Dear ReWorker,
I took a new job in middle management. The company culture isn’t great, and my staff is unhappy. I can’t change policy, and I can’t fix the CEO. How can I make it a better place to work when I don’t have any real power?
Sincerely,
Stuck in the Middle
_________________________________________________________________________
Dear Stuck in the Middle,
The bad news is that a terrible CEO (and a board that refuses to act) is almost impossible to fix from below. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect your staff. But, there’s one essential thing you need to remember:
You’re not obligated to sacrifice yourself for your team.
Yes, a good manager makes sacrifices to help lead people, but there is a limit, and that limit is sacrificing your health (mental and/or physical). I give this caution because good people at bad companies tend to want to make everything better, and so they try so hard that they end up burning out. If the CEO is toxic and you feel like you need to get out, you’re under no obligation—legally or morally—to stay. This is a job. You are under at-will employment. Leave if you’re miserable. Your employees can do the same.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s figure out what you can do to potentially make things better for workers.

Determine Why Your Staff Is Unhappy

You say the culture isn’t great, but the first thing you need to do is figure out what specifically makes it not great. Is the CEO super picky about arrival times? Is the culture such that people who deserve to be promoted aren’t recognized, while those who don’t necessarily deserve it get ahead?
Depending on the issue, you may be able to drive some change. For example, if promotions are being handed out unfairly, recommend formalizing the process. Highlight the problems to the CEO and offer to create criteria that employees can work towards before they can be eligible for a higher title.

Don’t Be Afraid to Confront the Toxicity

No matter how “toxic,” the CEO hired you because he (presumably) liked what you had to offer. So, do what you were hired to do and bring problems to his attention. But, the way you do it matters.
Try saying something like this: “I’ve noticed that X is common. I’m going to give Y a try, and I’ll let you know how it goes.” Notice that you’re not asking permission. You’re just doing it. Trust me—the CEO will say no if he’s opposed.
Now, of course, you can’t do this with everything. “I’m going to give my staff six weeks of vacation,” probably isn’t the best start. But something like this might be more effective: “I’m going to focus on outcomes rather than facetime, so if you see my staff coming in a little late or leaving a little early, they have my blessing.”
Unless you get a hard “no” to these suggestions, go ahead and start making the changes you see fit. And be sure to be transparent with your team—explain to them that you’re going to try to do things differently and would appreciate their open mindedness. At the very least, they’ll appreciate you trying, which can boost morale in and of itself.

Report Back on Positive Change

Hopefully, your efforts will help change your department for the better—despite an overall lousy company culture. And then, you can go to your boss and say, “Since we started doing X, we’ve seen Y as a result.” Sometimes all people really need is evidence that there are better ways to do things.
If you’re lucky, it might kick bigger, cross-company changes into gear. It’s worth a try.
Sincerely,
Your ReWorker
Suzanne Lucas, Evil HR Lady
Image via Creative Commons

Instructor Blog: Study Tips for New Students

Are you Studying Effectively?
Picture this. You have spent hundreds of dollars on new textbooks for your classes and you are eagerly waiting for them to be delivered. You come home from work and slice open the box to find three brand new, brightly colored textbooks that are shrink-wrapped and just begging you to open them!
You flip open your laptop and check your course homepage to make sure you have the correct books and you hit the jackpot – all 3 books are what you need so you rip off the protective covering and spend the evening snuggled up in your reading chair, sipping your favorite drink while enjoying your new books.
While reading your texts, you carefully highlight everything that is important – at least half of each page — and then re-read each chapter 2 more times. A couple days later, confidently you open your quiz and then all of a sudden your heart stops beating – you cannot remember anything that you read, even though you spent hours combing through your book, and you end up failing the first quiz! You are now panic stricken and don’t know what to do.
Does this sound like you? If so, you are not alone! One of the most common emails I receive is from a frustrated student who failed a quiz even though she spent hours reading her textbook. The good news is there is a better way to learn.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, found “that when [students] re-read a textbook chapter, they have absolutely no improvement in learning over those who just read it once.” So what should you do?
How to Study Effectively for College
First, put down the highlighter and follow a new plan.
Get the Most from Reading the Textbook
  1. Ask Questions: Before you read the chapter you will want to ask yourself questions like “What do I need to learn from this chapter?” and “How does this new knowledge build on what I already know?”
  2. Read with Purpose: While keeping these questions in mind, read the chapter while answering the end-of-chapter questions in a notebook or on your computer. Focus on making connections in your brain between what you already know about the topic and what you need to learn.
  3. Use Drawings: Some students find it helpful to draw pictures showing the connections between old and new information.
Review Regularly
Reviewing your course materials regularly will strengthen your ability to recall information.
  • Flashcards, apps, and online resources from the textbook are all easy to use and effective tools to strengthen your ability to recall information.
  • Practice often during small periods of time during your day and avoid cramming the night before the test.
  • Skip scheduling large blocks of time to study (who has time for this anyways?) as your brain needs time to make new connections and you need to practice retrieving the information on demand.
Next time you are tempted to read your textbook like a novel or with a highlighter in hand, remember these study tips to help you maximize your learning and success in your classes.
Check back often to get more tips for college on our blog or if you are thinking of applying, contact the Admissions office for information about degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1