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All in a Day's Work: Anna Vannelli, a Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Park Nicollet International Diabetes Center and at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park

Anna Vannelli, a dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Park Nicollet International Diabetes Center and at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, talks about her work. Full storyFull story

Updated May. 4, 2011

career laddering

Refresh Your Resume

Tailor your resume to the job you want, experts advise. Being clear, concise, error-free and specific about your healthcare experience may move your resume to the top of the heap. Full storyFull story

Updated May. 12, 2010

overview

Healthcare workers are in great demand, and many healthcare fields do not require a college degree at the entry level. Within a general category — such as nursing — there usually is a vertical advancement ladder that entry-level workers can climb to attain higher pay, authority and responsibility. Each rung on the vertical ladder typically requires additional education in certified programs and licensing exams. Most healthcare professionals are licensed, often at both the national and state levels.

Vertical job ladders are not the only way to advance in health care. The skills and knowledge from one job category may be transferable, enabling an employee to bridge to a new job category without starting at the entry level. For example, a respiratory therapist may move into nursing, or a physical therapy assistant may decide to become an occupational therapist or speech pathologist rather than a physical therapist. Because health professionals are in great demand, many employers have career ladder programs that help employees pursue the additional education and training that they need to advance quickly, moving up vertically or bridging to a different job category while continuing to work.

[+] nurses

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] laboratory technicians

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] occupational therapists

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] physical therapists

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] physicians assistants

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] radiologic technologists

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] respiratory therapists

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email
[+] speech language pathologists (speech therapy)

what they do
Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that consistently has the greatest number of job openings in Minnesota and across the country. In fact, registered nurses (RNs) — who need a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma from an approved nursing program — represent the largest healthcare profession. RNs treat, educate and provide support for patients and their families. They record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and administer medication. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who typically provide more basic bedside care, must complete a one-year educational program at a vocational or technical school or community college.
Both RNs and LPNs work under physician supervision in many healthcare settings, with a majority of nursing jobs in hospitals. In Minnesota, there are Minnesota Board of Nursing licensing and CE requirements for both LPNs and RNs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the relevant professional association.

educational requirements what's this?
CE requirement for license renewal in Minnesota: RNs: 24 contact hours every two years. LPNs: 12 contact hours every two years.
For nurses, 50 minutes equals one contact hour, and each additional five minutes is one-tenth of a contact hour. An academic course can be converted to contact hours, with one semester credit equivalent to 15 contact hours and one quarter credit equivalent to 10 contact hours. Nurses may also obtain a current nursing specialty certificate to complete their CE requirements.
Minnesota Board of Nursing contact and online information: 612-617-2270; www.state.mn.us (CE information is under "Licensure.")
ANA online information: nursingworld.org/ce/cehome.cfm

local professional associations what's this?
Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Phone: 651-414-2800, 800-536-4662
Address: 1625 Energy Park Drive #200, St. Paul, MN 55108
Website:
Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Phone: (952) 897-9093
Address: 7200 France Ave., Ste. 228, Edina, MN 55435
Website:
Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (MAOHN)
Website:
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association/AFSCME
Website:
School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM)
Website: | Email