Is there a health degree that is more hands on?

[cookderosa]

My local college has a list of these, they're all all campus of course, but it should give you an idea of what's out there and what to look up at your local CC.
Health Careers - Black Hawk College

Also, I know it would be harder, but has your cousin thinking at all about the LPN? If she's in a nursing home now, and is a good CNA, it would almost be a guaranteed job when she'd finish, and probably double pay.

[KittenMittens]

My local college has a list of these, they're all all campus of course, but it should give you an idea of what's out there and what to look up at your local CC.
Health Careers - Black Hawk College

Also, I know it would be harder, but has your cousin thinking at all about the LPN? If she's in a nursing home now, and is a good CNA, it would almost be a guaranteed job when she'd finish, and probably double pay.

LPN isn't really worthwhile any longer given the proliferation of LPN to RN programs. At least go for an RN as LPNs are being phased out/no longer being accepted by hospitals (depends on state/region of course but that's the trend these days). Eventually even 2 year RN associate degrees are being pushed to go for a 4 year BSN at this point (RN to BSN). RN is not a bad bet given what the OP has said although anything that pays decently is going to involve some amount of concerted effort memorizing and learning concepts and theory.

All these health programs will likely entail taking some/all of the bio courses I've mentioned above, so it's good to knock out those requirements to be eligible for as many programs as possible.

[videogamesrock]

My local college has a list of these, they're all all campus of course, but it should give you an idea of what's out there and what to look up at your local CC.
Health Careers - Black Hawk College

Also, I know it would be harder, but has your cousin thinking at all about the LPN? If she's in a nursing home now, and is a good CNA, it would almost be a guaranteed job when she'd finish, and probably double pay.

We discussed the LPN route. It's an option. My cousin will have score higher on the science portion of the TEAS Test. He completed anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 with D's so I'm reluctant to push into that field. I think a C or higher is the pre req. I looked into Physical Therapy Assistant which seems to pay pretty decent from what I can tell. I don't know if anyone has any experience on that but the D's probably can transfer into that program. I also think that he should also go for the BS in Health Studies at COSC for advancement down the road. I think the D's would transfer in to COSC.

[smf6824]

Healthcare jobs are hard to find in large regions of the country. Just a warning. Sure you can go to indeed and look or throw out BLS stats but just talk to people in the industry and you will see. At work last night I just had a discussion with three critical care nurses regarding this. Look there are jobs in some places but a large region is suffering from the northeast to Midwest. So just make yourself marketable. Good luck

[GoodYellowDogs]

I disagree about the LPN/LVN not being worthwhile. It's a step in the door and then you can do the RN programs and end up with a job. New grad RNs without experience are having problems finding jobs - but we routinely hire new grad RNs who were LVNs with experience.

In addition, I became an EVP of a large hospital and medical group organization with only a LVN and a AS.

LPN isn't really worthwhile any longer given the proliferation of LPN to RN programs. At least go for an RN as LPNs are being phased out/no longer being accepted by hospitals (depends on state/region of course but that's the trend these days). Eventually even 2 year RN associate degrees are being pushed to go for a 4 year BSN at this point (RN to BSN). RN is not a bad bet given what the OP has said although anything that pays decently is going to involve some amount of concerted effort memorizing and learning concepts and theory.

All these health programs will likely entail taking some/all of the bio courses I've mentioned above, so it's good to knock out those requirements to be eligible for as many programs as possible.

[cookderosa]

We discussed the LPN route. It's an option. My cousin will have score higher on the science portion of the TEAS Test. He completed anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 with D's so I'm reluctant to push into that field. I think a C or higher is the pre req. I looked into Physical Therapy Assistant which seems to pay pretty decent from what I can tell. I don't know if anyone has any experience on that but the D's probably can transfer into that program. I also think that he should also go for the BS in Health Studies at COSC for advancement down the road. I think the D's would transfer in to COSC.

I hear ya, I was thinking that might have been an issue. Well, if you click on the link I posted, those are technically non-credit certificate options. In some colleges, they are part of a degree program, others not. The advantage of external to a degree is no GPA, disadvantage no financial aid and won't be credit if he wanted more later. There are options, but probably won't up the pay too much (like LPN).

[cookderosa]

I disagree about the LPN/LVN not being worthwhile. It's a step in the door and then you can do the RN programs and end up with a job. New grad RNs without experience are having problems finding jobs - but we routinely hire new grad RNs who were LVNs with experience.

In addition, I became an EVP of a large hospital and medical group organization with only a LVN and a AS.

*I can't see all the comments in this thread thanks to a hide feature I've recently enjoyed finding, but I'm all about the LPN for those for which RN is either too far away or academically challenging. EXCELLENT nurses staffed this country for decades with nothing more than a diploma; my mom was one. For a CNA, an LPN is absolutely a step up in rank-responsibility-and pay.

[EI2HCB]

*I can't see all the comments in this thread thanks to a hide feature I've recently enjoyed finding, but I'm all about the LPN for those for which RN is either too far away or academically challenging. EXCELLENT nurses staffed this country for decades with nothing more than a diploma; my mom was one. For a CNA, an LPN is absolutely a step up in rank-responsibility-and pay.

Works like a charm Jen' thanks for the reminder,

[Gaz]

Your cousin should find out if there are any surgical technologist programs in your area. Programs that are offered by technical schools are usually about 10 months long. The first two months, or so, are didactic and the rest is hands on learning how to set up and assist in various types of surgical procedures. Colleges that offer these programs lead to the same job interview, but take much longer because of degree requirements such as English and Math. A surgical technologist with experience can pursue further hands on training to eventually become a First Assistant. A First Assistant directly assists the surgeon.

[SuzanneD]

Would also like to say lvn is still a viable career. It has kept me employed for over 20 years. :-)