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Mixing Continuing Education With a Full-Time Job

Steve Berman | AllHealthcare — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:12:00 -0700

The alarm goes off at 5:30 am, and you could swear you went to sleep five minutes ago. First a quick shower, followed by the finishing touches on that homework assignment due tonight over coffee and breakfast — if there’s time.

Then it’s off to work, a solid eight-plus hours of time where you’re busy with assorted tasks. At the end of your workday, your coworkers are heading home to their families or to the local watering hole for a cold one. You, on the other hand, are heading to class.

Going back to school can be one of the most challenging undertakings of your life. Continuing education is different than going to school back in your youth because now you have to fit schooling around a full adult life with responsibilities like a mortgage, bills, and children. But it can be done.

Follow this advice to reach your educational goals while keeping some semblance of your sanity.

Set Your Expectations

You know going to school at the same time you’re working 40 (or more) hours per week is going to be tough. Now it’s time to get real about how tough it’s going to be. If you expect to get eight hours of sleep and three leisurely meals a day, you’re going to be very disappointed. Don’t be surprised if you have to pull some late nights studying. You can’t skip out on your work responsibilities even if you’re completely drained when that alarm clock wakes you up out of a deep slumber.

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The best solution is to create a written log of how you expect to spend your time before you start your schooling. Be honest! Listing all the responsibilities in your life that you can’t afford to neglect will alert you to how much spare time you really have. This will help you figure out if combining the two is feasible and you’ll probably be more likely to avoid every student’s worst enemy: procrastination.

Know Your Goals

Don’t go back to school because you’re bored or hope you’ll be inspired to some greater heights than you can imagine right now. If you don’t have a tangible reason to learn new skills or pursue a degree, you’ll be far less likely to succeed.

Remember, school can be costly in terms of money and time. Make sure it’s worth your while. Only learn new skills for your current job if it will make you a markedly better employee, and preferably, put you in line for a promotion or raise. If you are going for a degree, have a clear plan as to how that degree is going to help your career aspirations.

Next Page: School = Job →

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Treat School Like It’s Your Job

Many people are tempted by online schools because they think the curriculum will be easier than traditional in-the-classroom schooling, like the difference between an open-book or closed-book test. Wrong. As online schools become more mainstream, their reputations are at stake. As a result, the curriculum at online universities and colleges can actually be more intensive than what you’re used to.

If the way you attend class is at home via your computer, treat it like any other kind of school. Give yourself a private area to study where loved ones or the TV can’t distract you. And if you’re attending classes after work in an actual classroom, don’t be tempted to skip out because of an unforeseen distraction. It’s really true that a large part of success is showing up. Miss one class and it’ll be easier to miss another. And another…

Don’t Go It Alone

You can’t make your friends go to work for you, and you definitely shouldn’t copy anybody else’s homework. Still, it is almost impossible — and definitely foolhardy — to work a full-time job and go to school at the same time without any help. Let people you trust know that you’re going to need some support.

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Whether it’s a relative picking up your daughter from soccer practice or your spouse taking over dinner duties, it’s extremely important to accept help when offered, and to ask for it when needed. One person can only handle so much, and your true friends and loved ones should be happy to help as long as they aren’t being taken advantage of. Reward them with small tokens of appreciation and remember to thank them after you’ve reached your educational goals.

And finally, remember that you can do it. You can work hard during the day and still have the ability to focus on your schooling at night. It won't be easy, but the payoff can be tremendous. Just make sure to understand what exactly it is you're working toward, focus on time management and build a solid support system you can lean on when times (and classroom assignments) get tough. If you can do those things, continuing education is an investment in yourself that's sure to pay off.

Answers to the U.S. Women's History IQ Quiz

AllHealthcare — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:13:00 -0700

In honor of Women's History Month, AllHealthcare wanted to test your U.S. Women's History IQ knowledge. We're providing the answers so you can learn from the quiz, but...

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the What's Your U.S. Women's History IQ quiz, go take it first.

See answers on the next page...

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1) In 1848, The U.S. Women’s Rights Movement issued a statement calling for equality with men. What was it called?

The Declaration of Sentiments -Correct Answer!

The Declaration of Equality

The Proclamation of Rights

2) What year did the first woman, Elizabeth Blackwell, graduate from medical school?

1849 -Correct Answer!

1869

1873

3) Which escaped slave led hundreds of slaves to freedom in the Underground Railroad?

Sojourner Truth

Deborah Gray White

Harriet Tubman -Correct Answer!

4) Who founded the American Red Cross to assist in national disasters and wars?

Clara Barton -Correct Answer!

Susanna Madora Selter

Ellen Swallow Richards

5) Which sport did the first America woman win the first-ever Olympic medal? (Paris’ 1900 games)

Track and Field

Gymnastics

Golf -Correct Answer!

6) What year was the first woman, Jeannette Rankin of Montana, elected to Congress?

1916 -Correct Answer!

1917

1918

7) The ___ amendment gave women the right to vote.

19th -Correct Answer!

16th

21st

8) Which woman became the first American of any race or gender to earn an international pilot’s license?

Amelia Earhart

Gertrude Ederle

Bessie Coleman -Correct Answer!

9) Who was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her feminist advocacy?

Francis Perkins

Jane Addams -Correct Answer!

Eleanor Roosevelt

10) Which woman sparked the U.S. Civil Rights Movement by refusing to vacate her bus seat to a white man in 1955?

Rosa Parks -Correct Answer!

Marian Anderson

Queen Latifah

11) The 1963 Equal Pay Act prohibits women from earning less than men in the same job.

True -Correct Answer!

False

12) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of:

Race

Sex

Both of the above -Correct Answer!

13) What year was the first black woman, Shirley Chisholm, elected to Congress?

1965

1968 -Correct Answer!

1969

14) Who was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Janet Reno

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Sandra Day O’Connor -Correct Answer!

15) In 1870, just one-fifth of resident college and university students were women. Today, women outnumber men on college campuses.

True -Correct Answer!

False

16) Which landmark court case gave a woman the right to abort her pregnancy for any reason, up until the "point at which the fetus becomes 'viable'"?

Roe v. Wade -Correct Answer!

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Webster v. Reproductive Health Services

17) A 1976 law prohibits a man from:?

Raping his wife -Correct Answer!

Carrying condoms

Wearing leather chaps

18) When was National Women’s History Week first celebrated and when was it expanded to a month-long event?

1978 and 1987, respectively -Correct Answer!

1981 and 1987, respectively

1982 and 1989, respectively

Answers to the Red Cross IQ Quiz

MonsterCollege — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:39:00 -0700

AllHealthcare created the What's Your Red Cross IQ quiz to help you learn more about this humanitarian organization. We're providing the answers so you can learn from the quiz, but...

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the What's Your Red Cross IQ quiz, go take it first.

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) Who founded the Red Cross?

Emily Watson

Sandy Cooper

Clara Barton -Correct Answer!

Angeline Davenport

2) The Red Cross was founded in:

1789

1850

1865

1881 -Correct Answer!

3) The Red Cross is part of a global movement that offers humanitarian aid to victims of war and natural disasters.

True -Correct Answer!

False

4) In which of the following areas does the Red Cross NOT offer services?

Community services for the needy

Support for military members and families

The collection and distribution of blood

Educational programs that promote health and safety

International relief and development programs

Pro bono legal aid -Correct Answer!

5) The Red Cross has how many employees?

15,000

28,000

35,000 -Correct Answer!

120,000

6) How many volunteers does the Red Cross have?

More than 10,000

More than 500,000 -Correct Answer!

More than 1,000,000

More than 10,000,000

7) The Red Cross has________ locally supported chapters.

over 700 -Correct Answer!

over 900

over 2,000

over 5,000

8) The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.

True -Correct Answer!

False

9) According to redcross.org, “some _______ million people give blood.”

1 million

3 million

4 million -Correct Answer!

8 million

10) On average, how much of every dollar that the Red Cross spends goes to humanitarian causes?

50 cents

78 cents

89 cents

92 cents -Correct Answer!

11) Is the Red Cross a government agency?

Yes, it is a federally run organization.

No, it relies on donations of time and money. -Correct Answer!

12) The American National Red Cross is headquartered in:

New York, NY

Boston, MA

Portland, OR

Washington, DC -Correct Answer!

Looking for jobs at the Red Cross? Enter your zip code and type "Red Cross" in the search field to find entry-level Red Cross jobs in your area.

Answers to the St. Patrick's Day Quiz

AllHealthcare — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:52:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the Are You Ready For St. Patrick's Day? quiz to help you learn more about the March 17 holiday. We're providing the answers so you can learn from the quiz, but...

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Are You Ready For St. Patrick's Day? quiz, go take it first.

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) When did people start wearing green on St. Patrick's Day?

1600's -Correct Answer!

1700's

1800's

1984

2) Which of these rivers is dyed green each year on St. Paddy's Day?

River Thames

Chicago River -Correct Answer!

Hudson River

3) When was St. Patrick born?

1000 B.C.

389 A.D. -Correct Answer!

1812 A.D.

4) St. Patrick was kidnapped by pirates at age 16 and sold as a slave in Ireland.

True -Correct Answer!

False

5) What type of meat is commonly found in traditional Irish Stew?

Corned beef

Ham

Lamb -Correct Answer!

6) According to pious legend, how did St. Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland?

Playing a flute

Water (flooding)

Pounding drums -Correct Answer!

7) What new kind of marshmallow was added to "Lucky Charms" cereal in 2008?

Hourglasses -Correct Answer!

Rainbows

Horses

Kilts

8) Which statement is NOT true?

Lent restrictions are dropped on St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick's real birth name was Maewyn Succat.

Irish Spring soap was invented in Ireland. -Correct Answer!

It's believed that St. Patrick died on March 17, 461.

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9) Irish coffee was invented in which city?

Dublin

Boston

San Francisco -Correct Answer!

Chicago

10) Which U.S. city staged the first St. Patrick's Day celebration?

Boston -Correct Answer!

New York

Chicago

San Francisco

11) What's the traditional occupation for a leprechaun?

Actor

Shoemaker -Correct Answer!

Jockey

Investment banker

12) The shamrock is the national flower of Ireland.

True -Correct Answer!

False

13) A pint of Guinness has fewer calories than a pint of Budweiser.

True -Correct Answer!

False

14) Kissing the Blarney Stone is supposed to give you what gift?

Gift of gab -Correct Answer!

Good luck

Strength

15) Which of these is a real movie starring Ice-T?

Menace II Leprechauns

New Jack Leprechaun

Leprechaun in the Hood -Correct Answer!

Above the Rainbow

16) Where does a leprechaun hide his pot of gold?

At the end of a rainbow -Correct Answer!

Next to a four-leaf clover

In Scrooge McDuck's house

17) Who started the tradition of pinching someone who isn't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick

School teachers

Kids -Correct Answer!

Bono

We hope you enjoyed the quiz and learned a lot about St. Patrick's Day!

Answers to the Would You Pass the PANCE? Quiz

AllHealthcare — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:47:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the Would You Pass the PANCE? quiz to test how well-prepared you are. Here are the answers!

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Would You Pass the PANCE? quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) What waveform is commonly seen in adults in slow wave sleep?

Alpha

Beta

Chi

Delta - Correct answer!

Omicron

2) What is the third step in the Kubler-Ross model of Five Stages of Grief?

Acceptance

Rejection

Bargaining - Correct answer!

Anger

Humor

3) True or False: Infants typically achieve object permanence at 12-13 months of age.

True

False - Correct answer!

4) What is not a symptom of juvenile Panic Disorder:

Heart palpitations

Hot flashes

Black outs - Correct answer!

Nausea

Abdominal distress

5) What is an external sign of anxiety?

Flushed cheeks

Clammy hands

Eyes rolled back into head

Pale skin - Correct answer!

6) What is a 5’ cap addition?

A modified guanine nucleotide that has been added to the “back” of a eukaryotic messenger RNA

A modified guanine nucleotide that has been added to the “front” end of a eukaryotic messenger RNA - Correct answer!

The transportation of a polyadenylation from the “front” end to the “back”

The transportation of the polydandenylation from the “back” end to the “front”

7) The Hardy-Weinberg Principle states that:

Only genotype frequencies in a population remain constant or are in equilibrium from generation to generation unless specific distributing influences are introduced

Only allele frequencies in a population remain constant or are in equilibrium from generation to generation unless specific distributing influences are introduced

Both allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant or are in equilibrium from generation to generation unless specific distributing influences are introduced - Correct answer!

Neither allele or genotype frequencies in a population remain constant or are in equilibrium from generation to generation unless specific distributing influences are introduced

8) ATP is produced as an energy source during:

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration - Correct answer!

Metabolism

The 5’ cap addition

Hydrolysis

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9) Ventricular systole refers to:

The closing of the mitral valve

The contraction of the muscles of the left and right ventricles - Correct answer!

The closure of the aortic valve

A drop in pressure in the left and right ventricles

10) When pulmonary edema is suspected, an x-ray is done to determine:

Auscultation

End-inspiratory crackles

Coagulation

Increased fluid in alveolar walls - Correct answer!

11) True or False: The phrenic arteries may arise separately from the front of the aorta or by a common trunk

True - Correct answer!

False

12) The femoral artery is found in the:

Heart

Neck

Lower arm

Thigh - Correct answer!

13) What group makes up the fat soluble vitamins?

A,D,K

A,C,K

A,D,E,K - Correct answer!

None of the above

14) A folic acid deficiency may result in:

Pellagra

Macrocytic anemia - Correct answer!

Memory loss

Insomnia

Diarrhea

15) What is not a side effect of Clozapine?

What is not a side effect of Clozapine? - Correct answer!

Constipation

Seizures

Drooling

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16) ACE inhibitors are used to treat:

Congestive heart failure

Hypertension

Left ventricular dysfunction

All of the above - Correct answer!

None of the above

17) How many different shapes of epithelial cells are there?

3

4 - Correct answer!

6

8

18) Immunoglobulins are used by the body to:

Tag antibodies to be fought by red blood cells - Correct answer!

Line the small intestine to promote healthy digestion

Clear clogged arteries

Tag antibodies to be fought by red blood cells

19) True or False: All monoamines are derived from aromatic amino acids.

True - Correct answer!

False

20) Tricyclic antidepressants inhibit the re-uptake of ________.

MDMA

Tropisetron

Ondansetron

Serotonin - Correct answer!

21) An Apgar score ranges from:

0-2

0-5

0-10 - Correct answer!

0-100

22) Placenta previa occurs when:

The placenta is broken inside the uterus

The placenta has attached to the uterine wall close to the cervix - Correct answer!

The placenta does not fully develop

The placenta suffocates the fetus

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23) Which of the following is not related to Alzheimer’s disease?

Tangles

Dementia

Senile plaques

Hematuria - Correct answer!

24) What type of cell releases insulin?

D Cells

Plasma cells

A cells - Correct answer!

B cells

White Blood Cells

25) Adult onset acid maltase deficiency (Pompe’s disease) is characterized by what group of symptoms:

Muscle weakness, respiratory distress, diminished deep tendon reflexes - Correct answer!

Wasting of respiratory muscles, enlarged liver, enlarged tongue

Enlarged heart, proximal muscle weakness, excessive sweating

Joint deterioration, muscle weakness, respiratory failure

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare''s Would You Pass the PANCE? quiz and we hope you learned something!

Answers to the What's Your Retirement IQ? Quiz

AllHealthcare — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:35:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the What's Your Retirement IQ? quiz to help you learn more about saving and investing for retirement. We listened to our users' feedback and are providing the answers so you can learn from the quiz.

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the What's Your Retirement IQ? quiz, go take it first.

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) Starting saving early takes advantage of:

a) Compound interest - Correct answer!

b) Rising interest rates

c) Tax credits

2) Which is NOT an IRA?

a) Roth

b) SEP

c) LSA - Correct answer!

3) You can withdraw from your IRA without penalties at:

a) 59.5 - Correct answer!

b) 62

c) 65

4) You don’t pay taxes on your:

a) Contributions to a Roth IRA

b) Allowed withdrawals from a Roth IRA - Correct answer!

5) How much can you contribute to your IRA per year?

a) $5,500 - Correct answer!

b) $7,000

c) $9,000

6) 401(k) plans are tied to your:

a) Insurance

b) Employer - Correct answer!

c) Spouse

7) 401(k) contributions always:

a) Reduce my taxable income - Correct answer!

b) Increase my taxable income

8) If you’re under 50, how much can you save per year in your 401(k)?

a) $10,500

b) $13,500

c) $16,500 - Correct answer!

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9) 403(b) plans are aimed at:

a) The self-employed

b) People who work at non-profits - Correct answer!

c) The disabled

10) Are fixed annuities guaranteed?

a) Yes

b) No - Correct answer!

11) You can start receiving Social Security at:

a) 60

b) 62 - Correct answer!

c) 65

12) In 2008 the average monthly Social Security benefit was closest to:

a) $1,000 - Correct answer!

b) $1,500

c) $2,000

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare's What's Your Retirement IQ? quiz and we hope you learned something!

Answers to the Eye Spy Hospital Quiz

AllHealthcare — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:12:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the Eye Spy Hospital quiz to test if you can identify extreme close-ups of some every day hospital tools. Here are the answers!

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Eye Spy Hospital quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) Object 1:

Gauze

Ace Bandage - Correct answer!

Cotton Swabs

2) Object 2:

Blood Pressure Monitor - Correct answer!

Thermometer

Heart Rate Monitor

3) Object 3:

XRay Machine

CAT Scan Machine - Correct answer!

MRI Machine

4) Object 4:

Hospital Slippers

Crocs - Correct answer!

Scrubs

5) Object 5:

Defibrillator - Correct answer!

Heart Monitor

Blood Pressure Monitor

6) Object 6:

Crocs

Scrubs

Face Mask - Correct answer!

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7) Object 7:

Saline Solution

Hand Sanitizer - Correct answer!

Ultrasound Gel

8) Object 8:

MRI Machine

Incubator - Correct answer!

CAT Scan Machine

9) Object 9:

IV Bag - Correct answer!

Saline Solution

Hand Sanitizer

10) Object 10:

Oxycontin - Correct answer!

Aspirin

Vitorin

11) Object 11:

Scalpel - Correct answer!

Forceps

Tweezers

12) Object 12:

Face Mask

Crocs

Scrubs - Correct answer!

13) Object 13:

Stethoscope - Correct answer!

Blood Pressure Monitor

Forceps

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14) Object 14:

IV Bag

Thermometer

Syringe - Correct answer!

15 Object 15:

Wheelchair - Correct answer!

Gurney

Stretcher

16 Object 16:

Medical Chart

X Ray - Correct answer!

Bed Pan

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare''s Eye Spy Hospital quiz and we hope you learned something!

Answers to the Would You Pass the NCLEX? Quiz

AllHealthcare — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:14:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the Would You Pass the NCLEX? quiz to test how well you know your health care acronyms. Here are the answers!

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Alphabet Soup: How Well Do You Know Your Healthcare Acronyms? quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) Why is developing a vaccine for HIV difficult?

HIV is a virus

HIV is very fast moving

HIV mutates - Correct answer!

There is a lack of funding to discover a vaccine

2) How long does it take to repair most cleft palates?

1 week after birth

6 months

1 year - Correct answer!

5 years

3) Where does internal bleeding associated with hemophilia occur most often?

Stomach lining

Joint tissue - Correct answer!

Lungs

Liver

4) What should a nurse be most concerned about if a patient overdoses on Aspirin?

Both Metabolic and Respiratory alkalosis

Internal bleeding

Tremors and lose of movement - Correct answer!

Onset of seizures

5) What is a clinical sign of a newborn suffering from congenital heart failure?

Abnormal heart rate

Kidney failure

Loss of sight

Difficulty breathing

Gaining weight - Correct answer!

6) If a patient needs more folic acid, they should eat?

Red meat

Fish

Citrus fruits

Green vegetables - Correct answer!

7) A woman complains that her urine is beginning to look discolored. She takes many medications, which of them can cause her urine to change color?

Levodopa - Correct answer!

Lipitor

Ambien

Wellbutrin

8) What is not a condition of acute Meningitis?

High fever

Photophobia (intolerance to bright light)

Phonophobia (intolerance to loud noises)

Insatiable appetite - Correct answer!

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9) Which is not a symptom related to Lyme Disease?

Outwardly expanding rash

Malaise

Muscle soreness

Fever

Headache

Severe nausea - Correct answer!

10) Which is not a symptom related to Conjunctivitis?

Redness

Irritation

Eyes watering

Itching and possible closing of the threat

Body rash - Correct answer!

11) Which is an untrue fact about Xanax?

Lasts around 4 – 6 hours.

Helps to alleviate anxiety and other stress related issues.

Takes about 2 – 3 days for full effect.

Is one of the few anti-anxiety medicines that is not habit forming. - Correct answer!

12) Nasonex is used to treat:

Congestion

Sneezing

Allergies

All of the above - Correct answer!

13) Methadone is mainly used to treat:

Unwanted pregnancy (Morning After Pill)

Heroine or Morphine withdrawal symptoms - Correct answer!

Liver failure

Asthma

14) The clinical name for Valtrex is:

Valaciclovir - Correct answer!

Valatrovia

Ventrinar

Ventrobusteria

[page]

15) Who discovered Penicillin in 1928?

Gregor Mendel

Marie Curie

Max Planck

Alexander Flemming - Correct answer!

16) Agoraphobia most nearly means:

Fear of death

Fear of fire

Fear of failure

Fear of open spaces - Correct answer!

17) Which of the following in the function mitochondria?

I: Produce energy.
II: Convert nutrients into energy via the electron transport chain.
III: Breaks larger molecules into smaller ones.

I only

II only

III only

I and II only - Correct answer!

II and III only

I and III only

None of the above

18) In a group of 150 nurses, 40 are female. What percent of the group is female?

24%

26.66% - Correct answer!

28.5%

31%

19) Choose the word that is misspelled:

Placate

Bouyant - Correct answer!

Ambulatory

Paragon

20) Where did the caduceus come from?

A doctor who was bit by a snake and beat it with a stick

A 19th-century medical publisher - Correct answer!

The Egyptian Eye of Horus

21) What is this an image of?

Breast cancer cells

Red blood cells - Correct answer!

[page]

22) This is an image of colon cancer cells.

True - Correct answer!

False

23) Zithromax is more commonly known as:

Z-Pak - Correct answer!

Z-Health

Z-Cure

"Z"

24) Which drug does not treat depression?

Pamelor

Celexa

Wellbutrin

Effexor - Correct answer!

Feldene

25) Which of these drugs is not an Antihistamine?

Vistaril

Allegra

Claratin

Flonase - Correct answer!

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare''s Would You Pass the NCLEX? quiz and we hope you learned something!

Answers to the Winter Holiday IQ Quiz

AllHealthcare — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:37:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the What's Your Winter Holiday IQ? quiz to help you learn more about all the winter holidays. We're providing the answers so you can learn from the quiz, but...

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the What's Your Winter Holiday IQ quiz, go take it first.

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) Why do we hang wreaths?

To protect against vampires

To welcome all that enter -Correct Answer!

To make our homes smell nice

2) What is traditionally served with potato latkes?

Nothing

Maple syrup and butter

Sour cream and apple sauce -Correct Answer!

Fresh fruit and whipped cream

3) Christmas Trees are edible.

True -Correct Answer!

False

4) Which holiday is known as the festival of lights?

Kwanzaa

Christmas

Chanukah -Correct Answer!

Winter Solstice

5) What does the Chanukah game dreidel derive from?

A German gambling game -Correct Answer!

Yo Yos

Poker

Pac Man

6) The biggest selling Christmas single of all time is:

Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas is You!"

Bing Crosy's "White Christmas" -Correct Answer!

Alvin and the Chipmunks "The Christmas Song"

Frank Sinatra "A Merry Little Christmas"

7) Considering time zones, how many hours does Santa have to deliver gifts?

12 hours

24 hours

28 hours

31 hours -Correct Answer!

8) What's a traditional winter holiday meal?

Goose

Head of a pig

Latkes

All of the above -Correct Answer!

9) What's the most popular Christmas plant?

Pine trees

Poinsettias -Correct Answer!

Holly

10) During the Holiday Season, how many candy canes are made?

1,760

1.76 million

1.76 billion -Correct Answer!

11) For how many days and nights is Chanukah celebrated?

6

7

8 -Correct Answer!

9

12) To make 2-3 dozen sugar cookies, how much butter do you need?

½ a cup

1 cup -Correct Answer!

2 cups

3 cups

13) Which are more popular?

Artificial Christmas tree -Correct Answer!

Real Christmas trees

We hope you enjoyed the quiz and learned a lot about the holidays! Happy Holidays!

Answers to the Would You Pass the HOBET? Quiz

AllHealthcare — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:18:00 -0800

AllHealthcare created the Would You Pass the HOBET? quiz to test how well-prepared you are. Here are the answers!

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Would You Pass the HOBET? quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) During the first 5 days a hospital is open, the number of patients triples each day. If the hospital opened on Tuesday with 345 patients, how many patients were there on Friday?

345

1,035

1,725

3,105

9,315 - Correct answer!

2) What is the measure of angle B if angle A measures 135*?

40*

45* - Correct answer!

50*

135*

225*

3) What is 35% of a number if 12 is 15% of that number?

5

12

28 - Correct answer!

33

62

4) In the first paragraph the author claims:

Depression only hurts the person who is depressed

Depression is not a major problem in the United States

Depression is a treatable illness - Correct answer!

Depression does not necessarily interfere with one's everyday life

5) The primary focus of this passage is:

To convince a person who is depressed to seek treatment.

To argue for treating depression.

To describe to the general public the different types of depression. - Correct answer!

A complex argument as to why depression exists in America.

6) In the final paragraph, the author claims:

Dysthymia is the most severe type of depression.

Bipolor Disorder is extremely common among those who are depressed.

Mania is often just as destructive as depression. - Correct answer!

Manic-Depressive Disorder always comes up suddenly.

7) Lethargic : Energy ::

Despondent : Melancholy

Mellow : Wrath - Correct answer!

Leisurely : Relaxation

Notorious : Infamy

8) Choose the word that is spelled incorrectly:

Acquit - Correct answer!

Conscientious

Cemetary - Correct answer!

License

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9) Ubiquitous most nearly means:

Excessively easy

Widely present - Correct answer!

Not present at all

Forbidden

Acutely aware

10) Choose the sentence with the misspelled word. If there are no errors, choose "No Mistakes."

The nurse arrived at the hospital; however, she was late for her shift.

After running two miles, Janet was out of breath.

After getting a low score, Dan's confidense was low. - Correct answer!

No mistakes.

11) What kind of motion can be described as either negative or positive?

Circular motion

Zig-zag motion

Motion in a straight line - Correct answer!

Rotation

12) After an exam, your professor approaches you and says he saw you cheat off another student's test. You know for a fact that you did not cheat, yet the professor insists you did. How do you react?

Admit to the wrong-doing even though you did not cheat.

Adamantly insist that you did not cheat. Raise your voice in order to get the point across.

Ask politely if you can retake the exam in order to prove that you did not cheat. - Correct answer!

Storm out of the classroom in a fit of rage.

13) While working in a hospital, a patient of yours passes away. There was nothing you could do to save him, yet his family insists you are to blame. How do you react?

Respectfully ask that they allow you to get your supervising physician or RN so that he/she may explain the situation. - Correct answer!

Tell them, "He was going to die anyway. Why does it matter?"

Agree with them, even though you aren't to blame.

Ignore them and hope they will just go away.

14) You’re a health care student who is working full-time while going to school at night and taking care of a family. The day of an important exam, your daughter wakes up with a 104* temperature. You spouse is currently out of town, and instinct tells you to take her to the hospital. However, you’ve used up all your sick days at work and you are afraid to miss the exam. What do you do?

Take your daughter to the ER and worry about explaining things later

Call work and explain the situation. Ask if the day can count as Paid Time Off or a personal health day. If possible, call co-workers to see if anyone can cover. Call professor and ask for an extension on the exam while explaining the importance of taking - Correct answer!

Try to bring your sick daughter to work with you and take her to the hospital on your lunch break. Try to find a sitter for test night.

Do nothing. You can’t afford to miss work or this test. 104* isn’t that high, right?

15) Which is the function of mitochondria?

I. Produce energy
II. Convert nutrients into energy via the electron transport system.
III. Break larger molecules into smaller ones.

I only

II only

III only

I and II only - Correct answer!

II and III only

I and III only

None of the above.

[page]

16) Which of the following is not a noble gas?

Helium (He)

Argon (Ar)

Xenon (Xe)

Chlorine (Cl) - Correct answer!

17) You have orders to give a patient 20mg of medicine. The medication is stored 4mg per 5-ml dose. How many milliliters will need to be given?

15ml

20ml

25ml - Correct answer!

30ml

35ml

18) Which is the highest level in the hierarchy of living things?

Family

Class

Kingdom - Correct answer!

Species

Genus

19) What is the square of 25/9?

5/3

3/5

7 58/81 - Correct answer!

15/2

20) You are told to record a patient’s temperature in Celsius, but the thermometer reads Fahrenheit. The patient’s temperature is 100.7* F. What is the temperature in Celsius?

32* C

36.5* C

38.2* C - Correct answer!

43.7* C

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare''s Would You Pass the HOBET? quiz and we hope you learned something!

Should You Go Back to School During a Recession?

Jacob Milner | Monster Contributing Writer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:34:00 -0700

Two Laid-Off Workers Rethink Careers, Rediscover Passions by Heading Back to Class

On the heels of more than 10 years as a professional journalist, Heather Lalley has found herself back in class.

After taking a buyout from The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, then moving to Chicago to work as a freelance writer for a year, Lalley decided it was time to go back to school -- this time to become a classically trained baker.

In April 2009, Lalley, 33, took a major step toward pursuing the career she has always dreamed about by enrolling in a two-year bread-making and pastry program at the Washburne Culinary Institute.

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“Freelancing was not something I saw myself doing for the long term,” says Lalley, who has baked bread on her own for years. “When I started thinking about what else I wanted to do, I settled on baking and realized that in order to do that, I’d need to go back to school.”

Recession Prompting Career Reconsiderations

In the current recession economy, millions of laid-off workers nationwide are also rethinking their career choices, leading many to go back to school.

Why? To acquire a new skill set, for one, as well as to constructively wait out the economic downturn. The challenges? Coming to terms with the reality of changing careers and recognizing that starting anew can, at times, feel pretty overwhelming.

“It’s never too late to learn something new,” says Marci Alboher, author of One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success. “Besides, for many people, going back to school is a chance to pursue the career they always hoped they had tried for in the first place.”

Numbers reflect this trend. According to a March 2009 survey conducted by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Campus Computing Project, 28 percent of the 120 responding community colleges reported enrollment increases of more than 10 percent from January 2008 to January 2009. Anecdotal evidence from four-year schools reveals similar trends.

Mitch Weisburgh, vice president of Academic Business Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in the higher-education market, says that in general, higher- and continuing-education enrollments skyrocket during a sagging economy.

“When people get laid off, the first thing they think about is acquiring additional skills, and the first place they want to go is back to school,” he says. “For many people, the current climate presents them with no options but to figure out what’s next, expand their horizons and start over on something entirely new.”

Coming Up with the Tuition

The government is offering support for workers who want to retrain. The $787 billion stimulus bill signed in February 2009 by President Obama includes $1.7 billion for adult employment services, including training.

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Many state budgets include similar funding. Through its No Worker Left Behind program, Michigan, which posted the country’s highest jobless rate -- 15.2 percent -- in June 2009, offers unemployed and underemployed adults up to $5,000 per year for two years of retraining at a community college. Full-time college students and recent high school graduates are excluded.

Still, the overwhelming majority of returning students are paying their own way. Such was the case for Charles Villano III of Mission Beach, California. In July 2008, after a year of unemployment, Villano decided to go back to school for a graduate certificate in marketing to add to his MBA in finance.

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Villano, 37, who previously worked as a manger in the pharmaceutical industry, said some of the cost of his continuing education was defrayed by the fact that he went back to his MBA alma mater, the University of San Diego. As a returning student, courses cost $1,100 per unit, as opposed to $3,300 for new students. Still, Villano had to borrow money from his parents.

“Whatever it ultimately costs me, the return trip is worthwhile, because I’m learning what I want to learn on my own terms,” he says. “At a time like this, with the economy doing badly just about everywhere, any money you can reinvest in your own skill development is going to be money well-spent.”

Budding baker Lalley agrees. Lalley, who aspires to open her own bakery when she graduates, found some scholarships at FastWeb.com, a Monster company, and applied for others through national nonprofit food organizations such as the James Beard Foundation.

She also planned to work out a quid-pro-quo arrangement through which she could receive reduced tuition for doing some marketing for the cooking school itself.

“If you have a useful skill that can work to your advantage as you seek training for a second career, use it,” says Lalley, who blogs about her experiences at flourgrrrl.blogspot.com. “Just because your old job isn’t necessarily relevant to the new one doesn’t mean you can’t leverage that experience to get ahead.”

Work-to-School Transition Tips

It’s not easy making the transition from full-time worker to full-time student. Here are some tips from Lalley and Villano:

• Establish a Goal: Ask yourself what you want to do next. Research the degrees or certificates that will make achieving that goal easier.

• Look for Creative Ways to Pay: Paying for retraining can be challenging, but not impossible. Check out scholarships, but also see if you can leverage a skill the school needs into reduced tuition.

• Don’t Let Fear Stop You: Yes, it’s scary to start over and go back to school. But don’t let fear force you into giving up and doing something you don’t want to do.

• Keep Networking: You never know when a contact (or a contact’s contact) might lead to a job interview and, eventually, a job. Cultivate both online and offline professional networks while in school.

This article originally appeared on Monster Career Advice.

Answers to the Mental Illness IQ and Mental Illness Resources

AllHealthcare — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:04:00 -0700

AllHealthcare brought you the What's Your Mental Illness IQ? quiz to test your knowlege of mental illness facts in the workplace and beyond. Here are the answers to that quiz as well as some links to mental illness resources.

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Mental Illness IQ quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

[page]

What can cause mental illness?

The environment

Substance abuse

Genetics

All of the above — Correct answer

From WebMd: “What are the causes of mental illness? Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.”

Are mental illnesses covered under the ADA?

Yes, always

Yes, in some situations — Correct answer

Very occasionally

Never

More information about mental illness rights under the ADA can be found here.

If you have to do certain rituals, you might have:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder — Correct answer

Schizophrenia

Generalized anxiety disorder

Social phobia

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurring unwanted thoughts and repetitive behavior. Learn more about it here.

Bipolar disorder used to be called:

Manic depression — Correct answer

Split personality

Dissociative disorder

Panic disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme instability and mood swings. Learn more about it here.

Who gets bipolar disorder more often?

Men

Women

It’s about even — Correct answer

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Trichotillomania is:

The urge to eat excessively

The urge to pluck out your hair — Correct answer

The urge to gamble

The urge to shop

A type of impulse control disorder, causes people to find relief from anxiety or tension and a sense of pleasure from plucking out hair. Find out more about it here.

Which is not a mood disorder?

Major depressive disorder

Bipolar disorder

Alcoholism

Schizophrenia — Correct answer

Mood disorders are classified by the presence or absence of manic episodes. Learn more about them here.

Signs of mental illness include:

Confusion

Change in personality

Withdrawal

All of the above — Correct answer

Mental illness can present itself in several different ways arranged into problems with “thinking, feeling, socializing, functioning, problems at home’ and poor self-care.” Learn the major signs here.

ADHD stands for:

Alcohol Dependency and Hallucination Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder — Correct answer

Adult Dysphasia and Health Disorder

Contrary to popular belief, ADHD can present itself in children and adults. Learn more about ADHD and get support here.

Can alcohol abuse cause depression?

No

Yes — Correct answer

While some individuals who suffer from depression self-medicate with alcohol, increasing evidence shows that alcohol abuse can actually cause depression.

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Who are more likely to self-injure?

Middle- to upper-class women — Correct answer

Middle- to lower-class women

Middle- to upper-class men

Middle to lower-class men

However, self injury can strike anyone. You can get an overview of self injury here and there are resources to help you here.

Mental illness tends to surface:

In childhood or adolescence — Correct answer

In adulthood

You can learn a lot more about mental illness in childhood and adolescence here.

About how many people have panic disorders?

One in five

One in 10 — Correct answer

One in 50

One in 100

You can learn more about panic disorder, including signs and symptoms and possible treatment options, here.

As a cause of death for young people, suicide ranks:

First

Second

Third — Correct answer

Fourth

For help regarding suicide and young people, click here, and suicide prevention resources for the general population can be found here.

[page]

This is just a sampling of the many, many resources available to people with mental illness and their families, coworkers, and friends. We urge you to take advantage of them.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Basic overview of mental illness

Support for people with mental illness, their families, friends, and coworkers

Overview of mental illness in the workplace

Mental illness and the ADA

Mental illness and job performance

Mental illness and the family

Thank you for taking AllHealthcare's What's Your Mental Illness IQ? quiz and we hope you learned something!

Get into Radiologic Technology School

Lisette Hilton | Monster Contributing Writer — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:34:00 -0700

If you think that getting into a radiologic technology (RT) education program should be easy given the shortage of rad tech professionals, think again. The fact is that RT programs are turning away would-be students who don’t meet what is often the strict criteria for admission.

“It is not easy to get in,” says Jane Saball, a student at Bethesda Memorial Hospital’s radiography school in Boynton Beach, Florida. “These programs are not just looking for anybody. They’re looking for the cream of the crop.”

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Before she was accepted into her program, Saball, who is changing careers to RT, returned to college to earn specific credits. She also obtained some healthcare experience to strengthen her application. Saball is now on track to earn a certificate of completion in RT in 2008.

Application Levels Affected By Costs

For the 2006-2007 academic year, 95 people applied for just 12 openings at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s RT program, according to Connie Mitchell, MA, RT(R)(CT), the school’s radiography program director. For the 2007-2008 year, “we’re down just a bit but still had about 60 applicants,” says Mitchell, president of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

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Bill May, MEd, RT(R), FASRT, program director at MedVance Institute in Cookeville, Tennessee, says the private programs are more expensive but tend to be easier to get into. At MedVance, about 60 percent of applicants are accepted, May reports.

“Most of the state-sponsored programs have [prerequisites], and since the tuition is much less, [application levels] are much higher,” he says. “At a community college last year, we had over 300 applicants and only accepted 19 students.”

Some programs accept students on a first-come, first-served basis, while others go by the point system for entry. At the University of Nebraska, for example, Mitchell awards applicants points based on their work toward completing prerequisites that include 35 credit hours of basic science, math and English. Interviews, written narratives, healthcare experience and other factors are also used to evaluate candidates.

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Wow the Admissions Committee

To boost your chances of getting accepted into an RT program, experts offer these tips:

Keep Up Your Grades: Educators look for high grade point averages -- especially in high school and college math and science courses. Mitchell looks for GPAs in the 3.2 to 3.6 range. For applicants to community or state-sponsored colleges, May says that “the only way students get accepted…is if they have from 12 to 26 semester hours of credit of specific general-education courses and have almost straight A’s in those courses.”

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Apply for the Right Reasons: Jan Clark, MEd, RT(R)(CV)(M)(QM), says educators are looking for people suited to healthcare. “In terms of interpersonal skills, it is that desire to help others,” says Clark, ASRT national education chapter delegate. “The students who tend not to do well are the ones that come to the programs for the wrong reasons [such as salary].”

Have Computer/Technology Skills: Since radiography is a technology-focused career, applicants should have a comfort level with technology, Clark says.

Hone Your Interview Skills: Many programs require applicants to interview with faculty. Before her interviews, Saball researched industry trends and the specific programs she was applying to. The preparation helped convey her interest, desire and ambition. Be prepared with questions for the program faculty, Mitchell says. For instance, you might ask about similarities or differences with other programs you’re considering.

Choose References Wisely: Mitchell recommends listing college professors, high school instructors and employers as references instead of friends or relatives.

Volunteer or Job-Shadow: Know what rad tech careers have to offer and what your career goals are, Mitchell says. In addition to observing in a radiology department at a hospital, Saball volunteered at a hospital emergency room, which gave her the direct patient-care experience she needed to earn more points.

Apply to More Than One Program: Saball applied to three and was accepted to one.

Be Persistent: Besides submitting her completed applications on time, Saball followed up with schools to show initiative.

This article originally appeared on Monster Career Advice.

Find out more about Rad Tech Careers!

CE for Radiologic Technologists

Cindy Mehallow | Monster Contributing Writer — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:06:00 -0700

Continuing education's diverse formats, topics and sources are helping radiologic technologists (RTs) fulfill their educational requirements -- in a variety of budgets, schedules and learning styles.

Each year, roughly 15,000 new and renewed continuing-education (CE) activities become available to RTs, estimates Becky Kruse, former director of continuing education for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), which reviews approximately half of all the field's CE activities.

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Search Your Options

When looking for CE, start with your own professional association. Most provide CE as a member service. Some, such as the ASRT, track member CE activities and submit records to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). As the national organization that certifies radiologic professionals, the ARRT issues CE requirements but doesn't provide education itself.

At the ASRT's Online Learning Center, you can purchase courses in formats ranging from text to video webcasts. Studying, taking tests and receiving certification is all done online. By visiting the ASRT's Online Store, you can select courses and order them by mail or phone.

Commercial educational publishers and nonprofits such as universities, hospitals, healthcare organizations and clinics also offer CE. For a glimpse of what's out there, search the Internet for "radiology education." Prepare to be overwhelmed.

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Assured Approval

Once you've found the right CE option for you, determine whether it meets ARRT requirements. The ARRT currently designates nine radiologic associations as Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanisms (RCEEMs), which can deliver approved CE courses.

When reviewing a listing for a CE activity, look for a statement that the activity has been "Approved for Category A credit" by the ARRT or an RCEEM. If uncertain, contact the organization directly.

Online and Offline Study

Technology -- particularly the Internet -- has transformed training. "We're limited only by the bounds of our imagination," says Tom Kraker, MEd, RT(R), assistant executive director for the ARRT.

There's been an explosion of activity in Internet-based learning, Kraker says. Most online CE activities consist of stand-alone options similar in content to traditional home-study courses. Online courses are usually paperless, and some feature streaming video.

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The convenience of these on-demand courses is a big draw, says Richard Terrass, MEd, RT(R), director of the graduate program in medical imaging at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. "Some of these courses generate the certificate immediately, printing it out if the user passes the post-test," he says. "That's good for procrastinators."

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Tried-and-true home-study courses, as well as directed readings from scholarly journals and official radiology association publications are offline options as time allows. CD-ROMs often represent updated, interactive versions of these CE standbys. Some offer enhanced graphics you can manipulate.

While effective, videotapes are losing popularity because of high production costs and healthcare professionals' preference for the interactivity of computer-based learning.

Phantom Patients

Some radiology equipment manufacturers have developed computer-operated interactive learning labs complete with phantom patients. In these simulated imaging centers, radiology professionals use imaging equipment to work through an entire scenario. As they move step-by-step through each procedure, a computer adjusts to and reports on the results of users' actions. The equipment does not emit radiation but otherwise works as it would in a radiology setting.

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Pressing the Flesh

Nothing beats the human touch of association conferences, workshops, courses and lectures. "In-person learning is always valuable," Kraker says. "It's interactive, and you can ask questions."

Gatherings such as the ASRT's annual Radiation Therapy Conference have much to offer RTs. Held concurrently with the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology conference, the ASRT meeting offers healthcare professionals approved CE classes, plus intellectual stimulation, networking, a variety of conference topics and access to renowned specialists. In the exhibit halls, you can meet with leading vendors, recruiters and potential employers, which is impossible with home study.

With so many options available, it's easier than ever to meet CE requirements and stay current in your field. "Truly, in medicine, if you're not constantly learning, you're not providing the best care," Kruse says.

This article originally appeared on Monster Career Advice.

Find out more about Rad Tech Careers!

Answers to the Health Care Reform Debate IQ Quiz

AllHealthcare — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:25:00 -0700

AllHealthcare created the Health Care Reform Debate IQ quiz to test how much you know about the current debate about health care reform. Here's the answers!

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Health Care Reform Debate IQ quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) To be eligible for Medicaid, you have to be:

Under 18

Over 65

Low-income - Correct answer!

Disabled

2) The “public option” does not mean:

It’s just like Medicare

You have to participate - Correct answer!

The government runs it

The government pays for it

3) HELP stands for:

The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Senate committee - Correct answer!

The Helping Elderly Life Plans Senate committee

The Healthcare Education Lobby Partnership

The House Education Learning Plan

4) The “doughnut hole” is the:

Medicare term for the obese

Amount your deductible doesn’t cover

People who pay more than $5,000/year for insurance

Gap in Medicare medication coverage - Correct answer!

5) Who’s paying the least for health care?

France

Belgium

United States

United Kingdom - Correct answer!

6) Health insurance cooperatives don’t:

Pay licensing fees to the federal government

Have to turn a profit - Correct answer!

Have to have over 10,000 members

Get governed by elected officials

7) Medical costs cause bankruptcy because people:

Owe over $25,000 in medical bills

Mortgage their homes to pay medical bills

Have chronic illness

All of the above - Correct answer!

8) What are some people calling “death panels”?

Advanced care planning consultations - Correct answer!

Anti-suicide hotlines

Suicide assistance programs

Cost-cutting committees

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare''s Health Care Reform Debate IQ quiz and we hope you learned something!

Mankind's 13 Deadliest Diseases

Adam Starr | AllHealthcare — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:02:00 -0700

Remember a few months ago when A/H1N1, i.e. “swine flu,” was going to wipe out all of humanity? Do you recall how every single time you turned on the T.V., a talking head would chatter nervously about how “Hamthrax” and “Snoutbreak” was about to really cook everyone’s bacon?

Fortunately, swine flu has largely oinked-out with nowhere near the destructiveness of its earliest prognosis. As far as outbreaks go, it was small and mostly non-lethal, but swine flu did have the potential to do significant damage, to become something bigger, to evolve into a pandemic. AllHealthcare decided to look into our pandemic past to discover clues to our most recent pig-plague scare.

So, what is a pandemic anyway? Pandemic is a Greek word (pan: all, demos: people) that means, “Widespread or general,” it describes an “epidemic that spreads over a large geographic area infecting a sizeable proportion of the population.” The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes a pandemic after these three conditions:

• Disease is infectious to humans

• Disease emerges that is new to a population

• Disease spreads quickly and sustainably between people

There have been victims of disease since the very beginning of human history; death was a natural and often early part of our ancestral past. If unwelcome, death was at least typical. But occasionally these diseases were so virulent and powerful that they threatened to eliminate entire peoples. These outbreaks were anything but typical. From the Bubonic Plague to HIV, mankind has struggled to understand, control, and eradicate these mass deaths. Where we have failed and they have won, we’ve witnessed a pandemic. AllHealthcare have compiled a list of history’s 13 worst pandemics to keep you healthily educated on our past. Read on, stay hygienic, and whatever you do—avoid these next 13 killers like the plague.

Diagnose the List >>

Healthcare Trivia: Test Your Medical Knowledge with These Fun Quizzes:

• Alphabet Soup: How Well Do You Know Your Healthcare Acronyms?

ACCS, CPR, HIPAA...The healthcare industry is full of acronyms that you may or may not be expected to know. Can you sort through your healthcare ABCs?

• Eye Spy Hospital

You work in the hospital everyday but can you tell the difference between a syringe and a stethoscope? Check out these extreme close-ups of some everyday hospital tools and see how many you can identify.

• Medical Symbols 101

Do you know the difference between a caduceus and the Cup of Hygieia? Or the Rx and the Staff of Asklepios? You may have worked in healthcare for a decade, but do you know where these historical symbols come from? Test yourself now.

• Test Your Health IQ

You might be a healthcare professional, but are you a health expert? Take this health quiz developed by the HHS to find out!

• When This You See: Test Your Healthcare Photo IQ

This is a fun quiz for you to test your biomedical photo IQ. Have you ever looked through the microscope? Identify these photos.

>> Related <<: Read about the Nation's First Drive-Through Pandemic Exercise

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Manage Your Health Care Continuing Education Units

Peter Vogt | Monster Senior Contributing Writer — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:16:00 -0700

If you're like most healthcare professionals, you'll want to renew the licenses and certifications you worked so hard to attain. That typically means completing a certain number of continuing-education units (CEUs) every year or two (or three or four or five, depending on the requirements of the licensure and certification bodies in your state and profession).

If only fulfilling your CEU requirements were as easy to do, as it is to say.

You're far more likely to be motivated in your CEU activities if you're participating in educational programs that actually interest you.

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Invest a little time and energy in activities that are a bit off the beaten path for you. If there's a certain technique, procedure, approach or issue that has always intrigued you, earn some CEUs while you learn more about it.

Try to mix up the learning methods you use. Your options are no longer limited to in-person seminars or classes, or read-and-test correspondence courses. What are the online or distance-education options for obtaining CEUs in your discipline? You can find out by contacting professional organizations or your alma mater, or using an online resource like MonsterLearning.

Just be sure that any online or distance-ed course you take will count toward your CEU total for your particular licensure or certification body. If you're not sure, ask beforehand and get the answers in writing.

Continuing education doesn't have to be a useless hassle. Indeed, it can be the fulfilling learning experience the licensing and certification bodies intend it to be -- if you're willing to plan and persist as you pursue your CEUs.

More Resources >>

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More Education & Financial Aid Resources

• Advance Your Career with Healthcare Certifications

• Advance Your Education: Spotlight on Degrees

• 5 Top Hospitals That Will Pay for Your Education

• 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Health Care Scholarship

• Is Online for Real?

• Judging Online Schools

• The Online Option: What You Should Know

• 7 Great Study Habits and Time Management Tips

• Low on Cash for School? Find a Scholarship!

Answers to the Nutrition IQ Quiz

Thu, 14 May 2009 14:36:00 -0700

AllHealthcare created the Nutrition IQ quiz to test how much you know about eating right. We listened to your feedback and are providing the answers so you can learn from the quiz.

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Nutrition IQ quiz yet, go take it first.

See answers on the next page...

[page]

1) Skipping meals — a great way to diet?

Yes

No - Correct answer!

2) Which eggs are more nutritious?

Brown

White

They’re the same - Correct answer!

3) You need to drink exactly 8 glasses of water every day:

True

False - Correct answer!

4) Which is not a whole grain?

Popcorn

Wild rice

Pasta - Correct answer!

5) Which is the bad kind of fat?

Saturated - Correct answer!

Monounsaturated

Polyunsaturated

6) What has the most iron?

Shrimp

Liver - Correct answer!

Apricots

7) How much salt should you eat per day?
½ teaspoon
1 teaspoon - Correct answer!
1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons

8) A proper serving of protein is:

The size of my whole hand

The size of my palm - Correct answer!

The size of two fingers

9) And a serving of rice or pasta is:

The size of a tennis ball - Correct answer!

The size of a grapefruit

The size of my head

10) Which juice has the most antioxidants?

Orange

Tomato

Concord grape - Correct answer!

Cranberry

11) How much sugar is in a can of regular soda?

About a teaspoon

About three teaspoons

About nine teaspoons - Correct answer!

12) Obese people have a BMI of:

Over 20

Over 25

Over 30 - Correct answer!

Thanks for taking the Nutrition IQ quiz!

Quiz Results: How Well Do You Know Your Healthcare Acronyms?

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:45:00 -0700

AllHealthcare created the Alphabet Soup: How Well Do You Know Your Healthcare Acronyms? quiz to test how well you know your health care acronyms. Here are the answers!

h4. Don't cheat! If you haven't taken the Alphabet Soup: How Well Do You Know Your Healthcare Acronyms? quiz yet, go take it first!

See answers on the next page...

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1. HIPAA stands for:

• Health Insurers Placement Association of America

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

• Health Indicators Profit Accessibility Act

• Health Information Professionals Accountability Act

2. ME stands for:

• Minor emergency

• Medical emergency

• Master of Emergencies

• Management emergency

3. ATD stands for:

• Ambulatory Treatment Device

• Administrative Teaching Director

• Academic Teaching Director

• Admission, Treatment, Discharge

4. CRNA stands for:

• Critical Registered Nurse Assistant

• Clinical Resident of National Association

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

• Code Recognition Neo-Natal Assistant

5. PAS stands for:

• Patient Accounting System

• Patient Administrative System

• Physician Administration Studies

• Physician Accounting System

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6. GME stands for:

• General Medical Education

• Graduate Medical Education

• Group Membership Electronics

• Gross Medical Emergency

7. NICU stands for:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Nursing Intensive Care Unit

• National Independent Clinic University

8. N.D. stands for:

• Neonatal Doctor

• Nursing Doctor

• Doctor of Nursing

• Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

9. UCC stands for:

• Urgent Critical Care

• Unique Care Center

• Urgent Care Center

• Undergraduate Care Center

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10. SDS stands for:

• Strategic Development System

• Same-Day Surgery

• School of Dietary Sciences

• System of Dentistry Schools

11. PRN stands for:

• Physician Referral Network

• Patient Referral Network

• Patent Registration Network

• Prospective Registrar Network

12. OPD stands for:

• Operating Programs Department

• Outpatient Department

• Occupational Physician Department

• Office of Patient Development

13. RN stands for:

• Registered Nurse

• Restricted Nurse

• Request for Nurses

• Relative Nurse

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14. ICU stands for:

• International Care University

• Integrated Care Utilization

• Intensive Care Unit

• Intensive Clinical Use

15. CPX stands for:

• Center for Physical Exams

• Complete Physical Exam

• Critical Physical Exam

• Cautionary Physical Exam

16. FFS stands for:

• Fee-For-Service

• Fee-Free System

• Free Federal System

• Federal Faculty Society

17. TH stands for:

• Total Healthcare

• Tax-Free Hospital

• Tele-Hospital

• Teaching Hospital

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18. PA stands for:

• Practical Assistant

• Physician's Association

• Physician Assistant

• Patient Assembly

19. LOS stands for:

• Length of Stay

• Longevity of System

• Licensed Operating System

• Local Operating Suture

20. IVF stands for:

• Intensive Vascular Facility

• Indirect Ventrical Finances

• In Vitro Fertilization

• In Vitro Faculty

Thanks for taking AllHealthcare''s Alphabet Soup: How Well Do You Know Your Healthcare Acronyms? quiz and we hope you learned something!

Turn Postgraduation Panic into Action

Peter Vogt, MonsterTRAK Career Coach — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:16:00 -0700

If the only thing you have planned for after graduation is panicking, you're not alone. But you'll be far better off if you transform your fear into the kind of action that will boost your chances of landing the job you really want. Start with these key activities:

Expand Your Industry-Specific Skills

"If you're keeping a part-time job to make ends meet while you search for something more permanent, volunteer for new projects or ask for more responsibility," says Kristen Lindsay, associate director of career services at the University of Toledo.

For example, if you're looking for a full-time job in human resources, try to get involved in the next round of hiring at your part-time company, Lindsay advises. Similarly, if you'd like to get into marketing, "volunteer to research cutting-edge marketing strategies in the industry, and propose a marketing campaign based on your research," she says.

"Continue to build your skills and your resume instead of passively waiting for the phone to ring," Lindsay says.

Identify and Market Your Transferable Skills

"It doesn't matter if your degree is in psychology, anthropology or liberal studies," says Jerry Houser, director of the Career Development Center at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. "What does matter is knowing the skills you learned in college: critical thinking, writing, communicating and the like."

It's very easy, especially when you're already feeling down, to buy into the myth that you didn't learn anything in college that matters to a real-world employer. But when you start thinking about all of those group projects (teamwork) and presentations (verbal communication), or even your busy schedule (organization), you can't help but conclude that you picked up some important transferable skills that will look great on your resume.

"Any career counselor that breathes can help you identify those transferable skills that employers most want to see," Houser says. "It's actually an important thing for you to do."

Practice Interviewing

You can have the best grades, resume, experience and references, but if you can't present it all effectively in an interview, you won't get the job.

San Francisco State University career counselor Jim Wong once worked with a job seeker who'd had 80 interviews but no offers. "Was the applicant applying for the right types of positions suitable for their career goals and level of experience?" Wong asks. More importantly, he says, were the job seeker's interviewing skills subpar?

If you've gone zero for 80 in your interviews -- or even zero for five -- you probably could use some help. Take advantage of the resources your school's career center offers, such as mock interviewing, before you leave campus for good.

Watch for Special Postgraduation Opportunities

Employers are often eager participants in job fairs that cater to recent grads. Another event to check out: Monster's Keep America Working tour. Events like this are great opportunities to make contact with potential employers.

Tell Everyone You're Looking

"I encourage individuals to let everyone know they're job searching," says Lindsay. "Networking is critical, and that means networking with family, friends, former bosses and colleagues -- everyone. You never know who has a job lead to share.

Likewise, you never know which of these activities will turn Sunday's panic into the first Monday of your professional career. So try them all for best results.