With the aging population in America, nursing degrees have gained popularity due to the opportunity for career growth and a shortage of registered nurses. Some RNs continue their education to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs work independently or in collaboration with physicians. They are able to provide primary care and prescribe medications in most states. APRNs require at least a master’s degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing. Online BSN to MSN bridge programs are a great option for busy professionals. They offer registered nurses with BSN degrees flexible course schedules to accommodate full-time work and family obligations.

With accelerated programs, it takes less time to earn a master’s degree. With a Master of Science in Nursing, new opportunities become available. To name some, one can become a clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator, nurse anesthetist, an educator, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner or nurse researcher. The many career paths available – both bedside and managerial – make the MSN degree a popular choice among nurses. Looking to the future, these 5 career options are gaining popularity with MSN degree holders.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS):

If you enjoy dealing with patients directly, you should explore becoming a clinical nurse specialist. A CNS helps patients and families navigate the healthcare system from wellness to illness all the way to a peaceful death. Since a CNS is an advanced practice nurse, they are qualified to provide primary and specialty care, and, in most states, they can prescribe medication. Each state specifically defines requirements for registered nurses, so it’s important to verify with each state individually. Compensation for a CNS can vary, but the average salary according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics was $64,690 in 2010. Additionally, jobs in this area are expected to grow faster than average through 2020. One specialty within the CNS profession to check out is oncology. Joni Watson is an MSN degree holder specializing in oncology who manages a multidisciplinary team in ambulatory care. She shares her educational and professional experience in an interview with BSNtoMSN.org.

Health Services Manager:

One of two career-paths on the list that does not fall under the advanced practice registered nurse category, nurse and health services managers plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare. They work to improve both efficiency and quality of healthcare services. Nurse managers should possess a strong business background and interact well with a variety of constituents, as they are often looked at to lead healthcare-based improvement projects. Like Clinical Nurse Specialists, employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow by up to 22 percent by 2020. Demand for organized medical facilities and healthcare staff will increase as the large baby-boom population ages and people remain active later in life. Nurse administrators can earn up to $84,270 according to the BLS.

Nurse Informaticist:

Health or nursing informatics is a field that has gained popularity in the past decade, as technology advances. All of the paper medical records on file, are in the process of being converted and organized into digital files. Nursing informatics is the sub-discipline of health informatics that applies information technology to the skills and work of nurses in healthcare. Nursing informatics is one of the few advanced nursing professions that does not involve direct patient care. If you enjoy organizing data and improving processes, while still being involved in the medical field, a nurse informaticist could be the right career for you. A master’s degree develops skills that are necessary to move into healthcare informatics management. At this level, you’ll be qualified to train and oversee physicians, nurses and medical records personnel as they adopt and learn new electronic healthcare systems.

Nurse Midwife:

Nurses who assist and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process are part of a profession called nurse midwifery. They provide care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning guidance, prenatal care, labor and delivery assistance, and care of newborns. Nurse midwifes fall in the APRN category of nursing. Typically, they are compassionate, patient and demonstrate a high level of emotional stability in order to deal with emergencies and potentially stressful situations. As a nurse midwife, support is available. Consider joining a professional association such as The American College of Nurse Midwives. According to Salary.com, nurse midwives can expect to earn between $78,132 and $107,100 depending on seniority, education and region they are practicing in.

Nurse Practitioner (NP):

Our last hot career for MSN degree holders is a Nurse Practitioner – a nurse who provides primary health care and nursing services at clinics, schools, employer health units, or community health organizations. Nurse practitioners must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education such as an MSN degree. Through 2020, nurse practitioners will be in high demand, particularly in medically underserved areas such as inner cities and rural areas. A career as a nurse practitioner is a great choice for an RN who is looking to practice with more autonomy, and who is interested in pursuing an even higher education.

With so many career paths with just one degree, it’s no wonder an MSN degree is a popular choice among healthcare professionals. It’s important to do your research and find a career-path and program that you will be happy with. Are you someone who likes to interact with patients? Are you a technology buff who loves working with systems? Do you see yourself managing a team? Would you prefer educating other healthcare professionals? These are all things to think about before choosing a concentration or enrolling in a master’s degree program. No matter what path you take, there are accelerated nursing programs online that can fit your needs. What career path do you plan on taking?

Another important part of becoming a nurse is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX. It is often used as the standard for many states and demonstrates your competence to future employers. For 2011, candidates for the NCLEX test must pay $200 to take the exam in addition to any other licensure fees required by their state. International candidates need to obtain a certification from the Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and demonstrate a proficiency in English.

Once an education and examination has been passed, it is important to know what the requirements are of the state you wish to transfer your license to. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing is the most comprehensive site with the most up to date information on state requirements for new and transferring nurses. You can get information on your current and future state board, help with the NCLEX, and contact information. Many states have an initial state licensing fee which can range from about $80.00 to $300.00. There can also be license renewal requirements every year or two which can cost around $100. Some states even have continuing education requirements that have nurses completing an approved curriculum on a regular basis. These fees and rules also apply to transferring nurses, as well as recent graduates.

If you have already graduated from an approved nursing program and have passed the NCLEX, check out the site of the state you wish to transfer your license to. They can contain further details for transfer candidates, as well as more advanced guides for their specific requirements. The process usually involves applying for a state license, paying fees, transferring relevant records, identification, and in some cases, even a background check. For example, those wishing to transfer to California as an RN must get what is called “licensure by endorsement.” To qualify, candidates must hold a current and active license in another state or Canada, have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements, and have passed National Council Licensure Examination or the State Board Test Pool Examination.

It is essential to know all the requirements for the state you wish to transfer your license to in order to keep costs down, shorten wait time, and ensure that you get approved for your move. To get a list of contact information, including phone number and name of contact, for the nursing boards in all 50 states and even a few U.S. territories, click here. For convenience, many state boards allow you to do items online, such as fill out applications and send in payments, making the process of applying for an transferring a nurse’s license even easier. Another feature of applying online is the ability to better track your application process so that any snags or problems can be addressed quickly and without incurring penalties.

Health care professionals can use the Internet as a resource. From information about different diseases and conditions, to case studies, to creating treatment plans, to understanding health care law and ethics. You can learn a lot about health care and improved outcomes by looking online. If you are interested in becoming a better nurse, you can use these 40 tutorial sites for information and help:

General Information, Reference and Tutorials

If you are looking for general information on health care, you can visit these web sites. This information can include reference resources and tutorials related to general health care subjects. These great resources can help you become a better nurse.

1. Nursing: The Resources in Nursing guide from the UCLA library is a great place to start for tutorials and reference.
2. The “Virtual” Nursing Center: Martindale’s presents this nursing center complete with resources for different nursing specialties and more.
3. The Nursing Theory Page: The University of San Diego offers helpful information and tutorials about nursing theories.
4. Barbara Bates Center for the Study of Nursing History: Learn more about the history of nursing, see collaborations and projects and find out more information about nursing.
5. HIMSS: This is a site aimed at health care technology and informatics. Tutorials on informatics and more are available through this site.
6. Center for Nursing Classification & Clinical Effectiveness: General information on nursing, and how to increase effectiveness.
7. The Nursing Reference Center: Find out more about nursing, and get access to information and tutorials on a number of health care subjects.
8. Medscape Nurses: Tutorials, headlines, and general information that nurses are likely to find useful.
9. Nursing Center: Reports, general information, how-tos and tutorials related to nursing and health care.
10. The Learning Nurse: Resources designed to help you with your development as a nurse. Tutorials, quizzes and more to help you improve your career.
11. Evidenced-Based Practice Tutorial: Penn State offers information on evidence-based nursing.
12. Nursing Tutorials: Information on how to dose, as well as other tutorials related to nursing.

Case Studies

Some of the best tutorials are in the form of case studies. Use these case studies to see how others have handled certain situations, and learn how you might respond in a similar situation. Great insights and practical advice.

13. Medical Case Studies: This open access journal allows you to read about different medical case studies.
14. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science: A number of health care case studies, as well as other science cases.
15. Online Case Studies: Great tutorial insight from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
16. Pulmonary Case Studies: Tutorials that can help you learn about different pulmonary conditions and problems.
17. International Pathology Laboratory for Medical Education: Plenty of case studies and tutorials designed for health care professionals.
18. Integrated Medical Curriculum: Offers a look at case studies and tutorials — once you complete your free registration. Interactive and highly useful.
19. PRIME: Different case studies and resources related to different health care professions.
20. Teaching File: Case studies that nurses and other health care professionals can use. Focuses mainly on radiology.
21. Clinical Cases: Use these case studies to test your knowledge and abilities.
22. Free Case Study: Read about what others have done in the past. Great real life tutorials, as well as help on writing your own case study to help others.

Treatment Plans

One of the things a nurse needs to know how to do is create a treatment plan. These sites provide tutorials on creating treatment plans, as well as information on how to take care of different conditions and help patients. Great for those looking to better treat their patients.

23. Nursing Care Plan: Nursing Crib offers care plan ideas and tutorials.
24. Careplan.com: Learn how to make nursing care plans, search the library, and get access to forms.
25. Comprehensive Nursing Care Plans: You can get access to free sample plans, as well as free documents. Learn everything you need to know about nursing care plans.
26. MS Patient: This great sample plan provides you with an idea of how to create your own nursing care plan for a patient with MS.
27. Nursing Care Plans: Acts as a tutorial in creating your own treatment plan. A great resource.
28. Nursing Care Plan Resources: Includes a great tutorial on how to write a nursing care plan, and other good information.
29. nursing care plan sample: Scribd offers a great sample of a nursing care plan. Perfect for using as a template for your own.
30. Plan of Care and Treatment Plan Tutorial: Figure out the basics of treatment plans, and write your own as needed.
31. Clinicals: Care Plans: A helpful guide to creating a care plan, and doing it right.

Health Care Law, Policy, Ethics and Best Practices

Tutorials on health care law issues, as well as information on ethics and best practices, can be useful for any nurse or health care worker. Learn about your liability, and what is expected of you. Make sure that you are following best practices. The following web sites will help you do just that.

32. Tutorials & Presentations: This great resource from Kaiser Family Foundation can offer you help in understand health care policy and law.
33. Race, Health Care and the Law: A free tutorial from ProProfs WebSchool.
34. The New Health Care Law: The Basics: Understand the basics of health care reform and the new law.
35. Health Care and Social Law – US: Learn more about health care law in the U.S., and its implications.
36. Health Care Ethics Research Guide: You can use this research guide and tutorial to learn more about ethics issues in health care.
37. Health Care Ethics: This research toolkit points you to tutorials, resources and more related to health care ethics.
38. Tutorial Videos: Great tutorials using dynamic modeling for health care.
39. Health Insurance Simplified: As a health care professional, you should know the basics of health insurance. This tutorial can help you see how it works.
40. 10 Best Practices for Patient Safety: This great tutorial post from Nursing Notes offers insight into practices and ethics.

If you have a BlackBerry, it is possible for your to carry all the medical reference that you need in the palm of your hand. There are a number BlackBerry apps designed to be of help to health care professionals. Here are 26 of the best BlackBerry apps to learn about any symptom and disease:

General Medical Reference

These BlackBerry apps provide helpful medical reference. You can find information on diseases, symptoms and treatments with help from these omnibus applications.

1. ECG Guide: A great medical reference BlackBerry app meant to help medical professionals learn about ECGs. Offers helpful information on what to look for, as well as images of ECGs for your reference. Helpful in identifying diseases. Price: $7.99
2. Skyscape Medical Resources: If you are looking for a basic reference, this is a great BlackBerry app. It includes information on diseases and symptoms, and even has a drug reference as well. Cost: Free
3. Skyscape Outlines in Clinical Medicine: This is a great application aimed at internal medicine. If you are interested in the specific diseases and symptoms associated with internal medicine, this is a great guide. Cost: Free
4. SympID Lite: If you are looking for different symptoms, this can be a helpful resource. Lets you search symptoms, and match them up with diseases. A great way to stay on top of things. Cost: Free
5. Skin Cancer Image Viewer: Learn more about different types of skin cancers. Find out more about these diseases with the help of this BlackBerry app that provides images of different types if skin cancer. Make sure you know what you are looking at.
6. Nursing Central: This is a great reference for nurses. It includes information on diseases and symptoms, as well as treatments. Also includes information on test and procedures and can be a great reference for those who want to learn more about just about any disease. Cost: $149.99
7. Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests: Learn more about diagnostic tests, and the diseases they reveal. This BlackBerry app contains information about interpreting tests, and learning more about diseases and symptoms. Cost: $39.99
8. Taber’s Medical Dictionary: Great information on all sorts of diseases, symptoms and even drugs. Includes enlightening illustrations, as well as as information on medical terms and health definitions. Cost: $49.99
9. Human Atlas: Awesome 3D images that can provide insight into different parts of the body, and how they should look. Can be a great help in learning about disease, and comparing healthy organs to unhealthy organs. Cost: $19.99
10. Harrison’s Manual for Mobile and Web: One of the premier medical manuals available, this BlackBerry app puts medical reference at your fingertips. Perfect for clinical work, and as a reference that can help you learn about different diseases, symptoms and treatments. Cost: $59.99
11. 5 Minute Clinical Consult: A fast way to learn about different diseases and symptoms. This BlackBerry app is designed to help you understand common diseases quickly, and provides information on treatment and medicines that can be used. Cost: $79.99
12. Johns Hopkins POC-IT ABX Guide: Get insights from the respected and renowned staff at Johns Hopkins. Information on diseases, treatments, symptoms and more. Cost: $29.99
13. ACO PIER Database – Cardiology: Learn more about cardiology, and diseases of the heart. A helpful reference. Cost: $59.99
14. Anesthesia Central: Detailed information on different diseases, as well as how to treat patients with them before, during and after surgery. A fascinating and helpful reference. Cost: $149.99
15. CheckMate: Perfect for the critical care health professional. Learn more about critical care symptoms, injuries, illnesses and diseases — and how to treat them. Cost: $69.99

Drug References

If you need to know more about medicines, these drug references can be quite helpful. These BlackBerry apps include information about pharmacology, and what diseases different drugs can treat. A great resource for any nurse.

16. Epocrates Rx: This great drug reference includes everything you need to know about different medicines. Has information on drug interactions, formulary information, updates and more. Also includes over the counter drugs as well as prescription medications. Price: $99.99 for a year subscription
17. Monthly Prescribing Reference: Great information on over the counter drugs. Aimed at medical professionals, this app includes information on drug interactions, as well as helpful hints on when to use different medications. Cost: Free
18. Davis’s Drug Guide Mobile and Web: One of the most respected drug guides offers you information on different drugs and medicines. This reference includes trade names and generic names of prescription medications, as well as information on over the counter drugs and on herbal medicines. A great guide for any medical professional. Cost: $49.99
19. RxDrugs Dosing Companion: Helpful drug reference that includes dosing information. If you want to learn about medicines, and their proper dosages, this is a great tool to be used. Cost: Free
20. mobilePDR for Prescribers: Learn more about different drugs. This reference has more than 2,400 prescription medicines and features label information, images and more. Perfect for those who want to learn more about different medicines. Cost: Free
21. Medication Infusion: Find out more about medication infusions. Learn how much of different drugs should be used in certain circumstances. A great way to learn more about medicines. Cost: $3.99
22. ADHD Psychopharmacology: This app is about diagnosing ADHD and treating it with medication. An interesting application that can help you learn more about ADHD, as well as how it is treated. Cost: $19.99
23. Tarascon Pharmacopoeia: Helpful drug reference. This trusted resource includes information on thousands of medications, and how they can be used. Cost: $39.99
24. A to Z Drugs: If you are interested in learning more about medicines, this can be a great guide. Includes information on side effects, dosing, indications and more. Perfect for those who want to improve their knowledge of medications. Cost: $49.99
25. Ah! Guide to Off Label Prescription Drugs: Find out more about prescription drugs that are off label with this helpful guide. Plenty of good information. Cost: $2.99
26. Cardiology Drug Guide: Learn more about heart medications. A specialized drug guide that is quite helpful. Cost: $29.99

In the list that follows, weight-loss-focused sites are followed by fitness/maintenance-focused sites, and listed in alphabetical order within those two categories.

Weight-loss-focused sites:

1. Budge the Pudge is a site geared predominantly toward women. The site will help you “Lose weight and create a lighter brighter you” with the help of EFT-Emotional Freedom Technique. You can learn about this methodology through seven free audios. Members join to blog their successes.




2. Diet.com, “your nutrition and health solution,” offers videos about many weight loss, diet, and fitness topics when you visit the site without registration. It is the home of the “Personality Type Diet,” and you can be a free or “premium” member to participate. You also can receive coaching from experts and connect with other dieters via blogs, boards, and groups.




3. DietTV boasts “Now you can eat anywhere,” and gives tips on eating out, eating frozen foods, etc., as well as offering meal plans and shopping guides for 87 famous diets. There is a monthly fee to personalize your diet progress with the site, but sign-up is free.




4. Extra Pounds is a social network that offers “Weightloss Support and Motivation” through diet blogs and support groups. Members use weight loss tools and keep a food diary, and can use a Google map to find members located near them.




5. Fat Secret, “all things food and diet,” is for people who want to achieve their food, diet, and exercise goals. You can connect your FatSecret profile with Facebook, iGoogle, or your cell phone. Fat Secret uses member feedback and experience to find what really works for you.




6. My Weight Loss Solutions advertises “Real solutions for real people.” Members are given facts and seek solutions; they interact with other members by commenting on articles and business profiles. You must sign in to interact with experts and other weight-losing peers.




7. NAWLS Network is a social and professional network for the community of weight loss surgery patients and professionals. Members receive daily inspiration, support and friendship and can read member blog posts and access resources.




8. Sparkpeople has over 8 million members and a book about its secrets called The Spark. “Make Your Life an Adventure,” is the motto. The personalized weight loss and fitness plan is free, as well as all the tools. You can be as solitary or interactive as you want.




9. The Biggest Loser League is modeled after the TV reality show by the same name; members form teams and cheer each other on to weight loss goals, just as the teams do on the show. NBC offers team challenges and sometimes offers prizes.




10. The Daily Plate will calculate your calorie goal before you even register at the site. It has a vast library of foods and activities; you can track your calorie intake and burn rate to achieve weight loss goals. This site is sponsored by Livestrong.com.




11. Weight Circles is a community for learning healthy habits and weight control. You can meet others and share weight loss stories, blog, or ask weight loss questions. Circles can be open — anyone can join — or private. When you create a private circle, you decide who may join.




12. Weight Loss Bloggers is a community of bloggers who are committed to a healthy lifestyle through good eating habits and physical fitness. You may chat with other bloggers or explore the site’s resources once you register.




13. Weight Loss Buddy offers a free profile page, free team page, free diet planning and 3D chat. The site features video and audio clips on various weight loss topics, and you can ask experts questions about your weight-loss mission.




14. Weight Loss Wars suggests that you compete with friends and family or join a public competition to lose weight. Update your goal motivators weekly and track your progress with free tracking tools, where you can record anything from your weight to calories to exercise minutes.




15. WeighIns is a site where members write reviews and vote on the top diets; links to the diets are provided as well as some discussion about specific diets. Learn more immediately about the top ten diets, or explore other options.




16. Wellsphere invites members to form groups that learn about different topics such as weight loss and fitness. Ask a health maven a question, read member articles and watch videos.

Fitness-and-Maintenance-Focused Sites

17. Daily Burn promises that its 300,000+ members lose, on average, 6.2 lbs. of fat or gain 5.75 lbs. of muscle. Track what you eat, record your workouts, and find people to help keep you accountable to your goals.




18. FitLink is a community for achieving diet and weight loss goals. The “Fit” part gives you tools to get in shape, the “Link” part gives you tools to connect with others. You can connect with workout partners and personal trainers, too.




19. FitMarker is a Digg-like social website which helps users find the best fitness information from around the web. The site is fully community driven and users can vote up, vote down, comment and share posts on Twitter and Facebook. You can also write your own fitness articles and share it with the community.




20. iStats is a site for getting motivated by sharing your progress with others. Enter your exercise details, print your program for the next exercise session, review your progress, and share tips and compare results with your friends.




21. My Fit Tribe calls itself “an island of fun, fitness, and friends.” You can download the site’s “JamCore workout” exercise videos to your iPhone and take them to the gym. Connect with other tribe members, blog, and read articles and health and fitness information.




22. PEERtrainer can help you lose weight through a “Tip of the Day,” a personal assessment quiz, weight loss support groups, the PEERtrainer “Point of No Return Program,” or a review and overview of popular diets. Read success stories or receive coaching on the site, join groups and teams.




23. RunningAHEAD is all about “achieving goals through better information.” The site offers free tools for more effective training, emphasizing the training log. You can join in discussion forums or user groups, or share your training data with friends on Facebook through RunningAHEAD’s Facebook application, or use the Handy Runner’s Android application to track running workouts by GPS.




24. Traineo is a site for help and support to lose weight. You may set a weight loss goal without registering at the site. Traineo offers online weight loss tools and a support network of motivators who may be friends and family or members of the community.




25. Walkingspree is a site devoted to walking, “the #1 health initiative prescribed by health professionals.” it includes a corporate wellness program, a program for everyone, and a tool: a pedometer, with which you can upload data automatically.

For instance, you may live in a state that contains more obese people than most. You might feel those statistics when it comes to health care costs on a local and regional basis. Or, you may live in a state that contains more cancer cases than most. This information might alert you to the possibility that your state contains more cancer-causing agents. Finally, statistics are available by ethnic data, which can clue you in on whether or not your ethnicity might provide an impact on your health.

The following ten infographic links lead to a variety of information about nationwide health including obesity, mental health and health expenditures. The information provided here represent just ten pieces contained within a mountain of information available on the Web. Each link provides more information on that particular site that may be of interest to you in your quest to become healthier.

1. State Data Center: Focused on identifying opportunities to improve, The Commonwealth Fund’s State Scorecard on Health System Performance assesses states’ performance on health care relative to achievable benchmarks for 38 indicators of access, quality, costs, and health outcomes. The 2009 State Scorecard paints a picture of health care systems under stress, with deteriorating health insurance coverage for adults and rising health care costs.







2. State-by-State Pandemic Information: Each state on this map contains information about the state’s pandemic plan, summit materials, formal agreements, and other pandemic information pertaining to the state. This information is helpful to individuals and families to help maintain life as close to normal as possible in the event that any emergency takes place. the links lead to information located at Flu.gov.







3. State Health Expenditures: Health Care Expenditures measure spending for all privately and publicly funded personal health care services and products such as hospital care, physician services, nursing care, nursing home care, prescription drugs, etc., by state of residence. Hospital spending is included and reflects the total net revenue (gross charges less contractual adjustments, bad debts, and charity care). Costs such as insurance program administration, research, and construction expenses are not included in this total.







4. Healthy Behavior by State: The 2009 Healthy Behavior Sub-Index is one of six sub-indexes that make up the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, and asks Americans four questions: do you smoke; did you eat healthy all day yesterday; in the last seven days, on how many days did you exercise for 30 minutes or more; and in the last seven days, on how many days did you have five or more servings of fruits and vegetables. The Healthy Behavior Sub-Index scores for the nation and for each state are calculated based on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 would be a perfect score.







5. Obesity Related Statistics in America: Obesity is the number two cause of preventable death in the United States, and over 60 million Americans, age 20 and older, are obese. Additionally, nine million children and teens ages 6-19 are overweight. The charts and maps on this page can reveal how prevalent obesity is across this nation, with a special focus on a variety of images by state numbers for obesity.







6. American Indian and Alaska Native Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet: This information focuses on a specific ethnic population nationwide, with statistics that focus on the information that heart disease is the first and stroke the sixth leading cause of death Among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The highest heart disease death rates are located primarily in South Dakota and North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Counties with the highest stroke death rates are located primarily in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.







7. Maternal and Child Health: While this title might lead a reader to believe that the statistics contained on this page are devoted totally to mother and child health, the material reaches into realms such as suicide deaths per 100,000 population by state, receipt of needed treatment for illicit drug use, information about adults ages 18-64 with histories of major depressive episodes and more. This information was prepared by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.







8. State Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities: The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers information on a state-by-state basis about work injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Information was gathered from nonfatal cases of work-related injuries and illnesses that are recorded by employers under the Occupational safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) record-keeping guidelines are available for 46 States and Territories from the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII); fatal cases of work-related injuries are available for all States, Territories, and New York City under a separate program, the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).







9. Leukemia Statistics: Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The two primary types of leukemia are lymphocytic leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood cells called lymphocytes; and, myelogenous leukemia (also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia), which involves an increase in white blood cells called granulocytes. Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, whereas chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly, leading to different approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The CDC also includes information on this site for Lymphoma and Myeloma, available in the left column menu.







10. Mental Health Statistics: This map shows total psychiatric inpatient and residential treatment beds per 100,000 civilian population in number by state, 2000. The types of mental health organizations covered are State and county mental hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, non Federal general hospitals with separate psychiatric services, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, residential treatment centers (RTCs) for emotionally disturbed children, and “all other mental health organizations,” which includes multi-service mental health organizations, freestanding psychiatric outpatient clinics, and partial care psychiatric organizations.

There are some secrets to living longer. Many scientists have studied those who live the longest, looking to find similarities. Here are nine secrets that can help you live past the age of 90:

1. Genes: One of the factors that figures into longevity is your genetic make up. Even though non-genetic factors are involved in living longer, the presence of certain genes might actually boost your chances. It was also found that siblings of centenarians were four times more likely to live past the age of 90 than those who had no siblings live so long. But, even though genes can help, they aren’t everything. Indeed, some scientists believe that longevity depends more on non-genetic factors. So, even if your family doesn’t have a history of living past 90, it doesn’t mean you won’t. Just make sure you make up for it with healthier practices.




2. Eat fewer calories: One of the biggest Americans have is that they eat too much. Of course, what Americans eat does make a difference, but they should be eating fewer calories in general. Indeed, eating too much, and gaining weight, puts strain on your heart — and that’s even before the arteries clog up and you have a heart attack. If you cut back on calories, you can extend your life. Indeed, research from the International Longevity Center – USA finds that animals fed fewer calories live about 40 percent longer than those fed a great deal more calories. JAMA suggests that you should eat 25 percent fewer calories than you are now, if you want a better chance of living to 90. So, consider how much you are eating, and consider reducing your portion sizes.




3. Eat colorful fruits and vegetables: It’s not enough just to eat more fruits and vegetables. The kind of produce you consume matters. Vibrant fruits and vegetables are the best when it comes to living longer because they have antioxidants. These are nutrients that actually stop damaging “free radicals” from harming your cells. Colorful produce that you should focus on include cranberries, cherries, broccoli, spinach, red apples, spirulina, blueberries and grapes. You should aim for five servings of fruit and five of vegetables. Replacing one red meat entree a week with a veggie entree can be a good first step. You will find that dark chocolate and red wine, when taken in moderation, are also good for aging and the brain.




4. Meditate: It’s fairly obvious that if you want to be healthy, you need to exercise. Indeed, people lose muscle and bone mass as they age. This can make them prone to falls and disease. Exercising every day can help reduce this problem. But, you shouldn’t just focus on exercising. You need time to relax as well. It’s not just about moving; it’s also about sitting still for some time each day to relieve stress. Aging expert Thomas Perls points out that meditation and prayer are two ways that can help you relieve the negative stress that can contribute to reduced immune efficiency as you age. Take some time each day to relax, letting the stress ebb out. This can help you live a little longer.




5. Sleep longer: Sleep problems can lead to dementia and other complaints. If you want to live past 90 — especially if you want to remain sharp past 90 — it is vital that you get a good night’s sleep. Interestingly, though, senior citizens don’t necessarily need quality sleep. Indeed, getting enough sleep is more important as you age than getting good quality sleep. Younger people rely on quality sleep, with large blocks of good sleep. You don’t need hours of unbroken sleep as you age, but you do need a solid seven to nine hours of sleep when you get older. So if you do it a little bit at a time, napping in the afternoons, and getting sleep at night (even if it is disjointed) it can help you live longer.




6. Learn something new: You don’t have to go to college to learn something new. You can learn new things every day. And, while taking a class at the local university can be a good way to learn something new, it’s not the only way to learn new things. You can extend your life past 90 by learning something new, so develop a new hobby. You can play chess, take up painting, dancing, music, birding, or even learn another language. Those who read a great deal, and look for ways to interact with the world around them, can build brain cells and make connections between neurons that are already there. And, learning something new can be a good way to enjoy yourself and help relieve stress.




7. Discover your purpose: Those who feel as though they have a purpose in life are more likely to live longer. Indeed, there is evidence that men who have a greater sense of purpose are more likely to be protected from stroke and heart attack than those who feel comparatively useless. So consider what you can do. Think about meaningful activities that you can be involved with. This includes volunteerism and charity work, participation in the community, and interactions with family and friends. Goal setting and accomplishment (or working toward accomplishment) can aid in this feeling of purpose. When you have something to live for, you are more likely to live longer!




8. Optimism: A good attitude can go a long way toward living longer. Research from the University of Texas shows that a positive attitude can actually delay the aging process, increasing your longevity. When you attempt to improve your outlook, the chemical balance in your body can actually change for the better. Additionally, optimism can help relieve stress, and help you feel a better sense of purpose. Making an effort to look for the good side of things can help you improve your outlook. It is also a good idea to ignore negative stereotypes about aging as well; a study from North Carolina State University found that seniors exposed to negative stereotypical descriptions performed worse in memory tests than those that focused on positive descriptions of aging.




9. Social life: Having a social life can actually help you live longer. When you interact with friends and family, you can enjoy greater satisfaction with your life, and increase the chance that you will live past the age of 90. Indeed, being active in a church congregation, joining a book club, going to lunch once a month with your friends, and even enjoying a bridge night can help you live longer. Family activities can also be a good way to interact with others and live longer. Even social interaction online can have positive outcomes. The key is developing and maintaining long-term relationships that are fulfilling.

In most cases, you cannot find scholarships or grants to study naturopathy. Additionally, the path for study often is not clear, as naturapathic studies may include further investigation into realms such as homeopathy or acupuncture. In most cases, the title of Naturopathic Doctor (ND) may be awarded after completion of a four-year program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. This schooling includes a study of a holistic system, that takes into account the interactions among the mind, body and spirit of a person.

With that said, the list below carries two categories…one that includes blogs that belong to naturopathic practitioners and another category that contains blogs that belong to individuals who practice living a natural life at home. All links are listed in alphabetical order, and they lead to the updated blogs written by people who are enamored with the naturopathic lifestyle.

Professional Naturopaths

This field has had its ups and downs, but even reputable traditional medicine may recognize the value of what is known as “complementary” medicine. The University of Maryland Medical Center, for instance, realizes that alternative methods of health and wellness are possible, and they offer information about the nature of naturopathy as well as some realistic warnings. The list below contains a wide variety of ND practitioners and licensed professionals.

1. Amanda Roe, ND: Amanda is a naturopathic physician and midwife providing Portland,OR area families with holistic, effective, and creative ways to bring health into balance.
2. Dr. Barbara Dao, Naturopathic Doctor: Dr. Barbara Dao is a Naturopathic Doctor licensed with the province of Ontario. She received her training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, completing the four-year intensive program.
3. Dr. Dhillon’s Blog: Dr. Vinnie Dhillon is a licensed and registered naturopathic physician, who graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle with a degree in naturopathic medicine after completing a Bachelor of Science at Western Washington University.
4. Dr. Victor Chan: Dr. Victor Chan, BSc., MBA, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, where he was awarded the President’s Award of Excellence for his contributions.
5. Holistica Naturopathic: Dr. Sherman is a naturopathic physician licensed in Portland, Oregon. She currently is in her third year of residency at a cancer center in Indiana, and she is most interested in how nutrition plays a part in health.
6. Natural Medicine Free Naturopathic and Homeopathic Resources: Rodolfo T. Rafael, M.D., is a Certified Family Physician of the Philippine Academy of Family Physician and continue to complete the requirements for Continuing Medical Education in Family Practice. he also is a member of the Philippine Medical Informatics Society, and Pangasinan Medical Society.
7. Naturopathic Family Care News: A team of licensed naturopathic physicians, chiropractic doctors, and acupuncturists, all of whom are practicing physicians at Naturopathic Family Care in Phoenix, Arizona is dedicated to providing quality science-based information about alternative and complementary medicine.
8. Naturopathic View of the Human Life: Sushma Shah, N.D. is a licensed and registered doctor of naturopathy in Toronto who is dedicated to helping you achieve your wellness objectives – combining skill and expertise that spans the entire wellness spectrum of well being using the core principles of naturopathy.
9. Naturopathic Wisdom: Lisa Tostado is a 2008 graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine located in Tempe, Arizona. She also is a board-certified Naturopathic Doctor and currently maintains a medical license in Arizona and a practice in Louisville, Kentucky.
10. New Leaf Blog: Get a dose of natural health updates from New Leaf Natural Therapies, located in Queensland, Australia.
11. Personalized Nutrition: Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo is a naturopathic physician noted for his popular books on the Blood Type Diet. Best known for his research on human blood groups and nutrition, Dr. D’Adamo is also a well-respected researcher in the field of natural products.
12. Phylameana’s Holistic Healing Blog: Phylameana is certified in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki and the Science of Intuition from the Holos Institutes of Health. She is an energy medicine practitioner, clairvoyant, intuitive counselor, flower essence consultant, and owner of Spiral Visions.
13. Physicians Who Listen: This blog is maintained by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the national professional society representing licensed or licensable naturopathic physicians who are graduates of four-year, residential graduate programs.
14. Rawvolutionary Healing: Pamela is a naturopath and Living Foods life coach who shares personal experiences as well as information about the raw food lifestyle.
15. Santa Barbara’s Revolutionary Holistic Clinic Blog: This blog touches on topics such as chronic fatigue, kinesiology concepts, muscle testing and more physical topics in the naturopathic vein.
16. The Naturopathic Gourmet: Dr. Sarah Cimperman is a naturopathic doctor in New York City. She received her degree from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.
17. The Naturopathic Perspective: Doctors and scientists, authors and journalists, professors and administrators contribute to this blog devoted to naturopathic medicines.
18. Vishen Natural Medicine: Liz Wacker uses naturopathic medicines such as nutritional counseling, herbs, and homeopathy to help people feel well. She trained in the art and science of natural primary care medicine at National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

At Home

As with the list above, you can find a wide variety of individuals who are practicing a naturopathic lifestyle at home. The list below contains a few examples.

19. 5 Orange Potatoes: Lis, her two daughters and husband live a naturopathic life. Learn more about natural beauty, nature activities and nature studies.
20. Ancient Hearth: This woman home schools with her twin girls using Waldorf-inspired education.
21. At Home Science: Kris is Catholic homeschooling mom to 3 boys with a Charlotte Mason educational philosophy. She also is an emergency department physician assistant and community college instructor.
22. Herbs Are Greener: Michelle has plenty of physical problems, and she attacks the issues with natural methods using herbs and natural products. Learn more about what she knows at this blog.
23. My Reasons: This mother and family woman is into her family and they’re into her. She writes about natural lifestyles among other topics and keeps it simple and real. One nice thing about visiting blogs such as this one is that you also may learn about other, similar blogs through the links on the site.
24. Red Dirt Mother: This woman is a midwife doula and a creative soul who likes to share her natural lifestyle.
25. The Natural Mommy: This mom makes it clear she is not a “hippy,” nor does motherhood come naturally to her. But, she’s all about doing things with her family as natural as possible while living frugally.

If you doubt the veracity of video games for health, fitness and even for pain management, you might think again when you realize the fun you can have while working towards better overall well being. Video games have attained a level in fitness management that they even warrant a conference and a national program geared specifically to Health Games Research. To learn more about how video games can contribute to your health and well being, we’ve compiled a list of 25 fun video games, or fitness tools, that are geared toward health and fitness nuts (or wanna-be nuts).

Most of the games listed below are found at Amazon, but some links may lead you directly to the home page of the game’s developers. In some cases, you may need to purchase a game playing set, such as Wii, to perform the game. While the price of these games can cut into a discretionary budget, you may discover a great way for the entire family to to play together…a priceless option for health and fitness. Additionally, these games can help an individual learn more about his or her health and body.

Brain Health

1. Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree: With 15 new Activities that challenge your brain in single-player Test and Practice modes, Big Brain Academy Wii sees how you measure up in five categories: memory, analysis, number crunching, visual recognition, and quick thinking.
2. Brain Age and Brain Age 2: Initially developed by Nintendo DS, both the original and sequels are inspired by the work of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a Japanese neuroscientist. The second game, according to the Web site, can increase the blood flow to your prefrontal cortex.
3. Brain Voyage: Take your brain on a trip as you travel to 16 cities around the world, each with a distinct puzzle to solve. Puzzles vary every time you play. Download options allow you to share puzzles with friends.
4. Left Brain, Right Brain: Exercise the weak parts of your brain to strengthen them. Challenge a friend to a two-player mini-game via DS download play. You also can monitor personal progress with development percentages that show after each game.
5. Puzzler World: Delivering over 500 hours of play time spread across over 1,000 addictive games, Puzzler World features multiple play modes, allowing players to enjoy games the way they want. Also, you can save functionality that ensures that your game progress is never lost and that your trackable stats continually improve.
6. Scrabble: Learn how to spell, learn word meanings and more as you challenge players to this great word game — now available as a video game for a variety of platforms.

General Health

7. Emergency! Disaster Rescue Squad: Take charge of 15 different unit and vehicle types as you respond to over 20 unique catastrophes in five heart-pounding campaigns. This game is much faster and more complex than the following game…
8. Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues: Great graphics and realistic cases in a slow-paced game that is easy to use. Experience real-life emergency medical cases such as cardiac arrests, broken bones and life-threatening traumas as you respond to situations requiring you to revive, treat and keep seriously ill patients alive…just like any medical professional!
9. My Healthy Cooking Coach: Enjoy more than 240 recipes created by a culinary school in collaboration with a renowned nutritionist. Learn tips and tricks to create healthy and delicious meals for yourself and for your friends and family. More of an instructive tool than a game, you can make it into a game if you engage others to a cook-off!
10. Trauma Center: New Blood: While this game won’t turn you into a surgeon, it can help you learn how to control motor skills while you perform operations. This game is for the Wii, and the Wii remote has a built in rumble feature, that allows you to really feel the action as you perform operations.

Fitness

11. Active Life Outdoor Challenge: Using the specially-designed eight pad Active Life mat and the Wii Remote, players get totally physical as they compete in over a dozen single and multi-player challenges like river rafting, mine-cart adventure, log jumping and more. Additionally, you can watch your character’s body change according to how you play. This fitness game is great for kids and for kids at heart.
12. Dance Dance Revolution: DDR, for short, is the dance game that can burn calories as well as help to develop coordination. This video game is available on a wide variety of formats, with an equally wide choice of dance pads. Get down.
13. Dancing With The Stars: Pick a celebrity to take his or her part as you pair up with one of nine professional dancers from the television show. This fitness game includes 36 licensed songs and demonstrates the same 10 dance types shown on that show, such as the Cha-Cha, Tango, Jive and more. Dance alone or invite a friend.
14. EA Sports Active: Use the money you might have spent on a personal trainer to purchase this customizable fitness program. This video game set features more than 25 exercises and sports-inspired drills such as dancing, inline skating, tennis and volleyball. Additionally, you can see your movements tracked on-screen with the specially-designed leg strap.
15. Eyetoy Antigrav With Camera: Any Eyetoy game is worth owning, as you project yourself into the character on the screen via video camera. This particular game allows users to grind on rails across eight different levels, discovering hidden areas and unlockable sections. Enjoy multiple game modes to keep the physical and mental challenges coming…
16. Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout: Thanks to the Wii’s motion tracking control and optional support for the Balance Board accessory, you can get a real workout that is fun and entertaining right at home.
17. Just Dance: This is the hottest new dance game, provided for the Nintendo Wii. Kids, adults and even dance-phobic players can burn calories and get limber with this game. Requiring only one Wii Remote per player, up to four people can break it down at a time.
18. My Fitness Coach: Released by UBI Software in 2009, this game is available on Amazon. Evaluate your current fitness level in order to determine your baseline fitness and then mark your calendar for fitness goals and workouts. Use the tutorials for over 500 exercises including Yoga, Pilates, cardio fitness, strength training and more. The ability to choose from a variety of music options turns workouts into games.
19. Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage: Take on this Gold Medal winner as you participate in bigger and more varied challenges across the globe until you’re finally ready to take on the world’s top boarders in the ultimate competition. This is a great multi-player game that can involve the entire family or your roommates.
20. Walk It Out: Although this game features kids on the cover, it also is for adults who need or desire low-impact exercise. Walk along to discover surprises and listen to over 120 songs that can boost your heart rate as you keep rhythm. This game provides a choice of controls from Nunchuk and Wii mote, DDR Dance Pad, or Wii Balance Board.
21. Wii Fit Plus: While you can create workouts with this Nintendo video, you also can create games that include juggling, skateboarding; snowball fights, obstacle courses, log-leaps and a balance game designed to promote a combination of physical and mental health.
22. Wii Guitar Hero 5 Stand-Alone Guitar: Guitar Hero 5 allows fans to play alone, as a full band or, for the first time, with any combination of multiple guitarists, bassists, drummers or vocalists, to customize their musical experience. Players now have the control to rock any way they want whether it is with two guitars and two drummers, four guitarists, or three guitarists and a vocalist, any combination is possible.
23. Wii Sports: Bundled with Wii, Wii Sports introduces a whole new way to play your game. Play tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing in the comfort of your home.
24. Wii Sports Resort: In Wii Sports Resort, you’ll use your Wii Remote to literally swing into action. Engage in a wide range of exciting activities, including Sword Play, Power Cruising, and Disc Dog. This game includes one Wii MotionPlus accessory in the box with the game.
25. Yourself Fitness: Great 3D images and a personal workout coach gets you started on a “game” that features a personal fitness program designed just for you at the beginning of the video. Keep your workouts fresh by doing them in a variety of environmental settings.

Health Care Industry

Here are some interesting blogs written about health care and the health industry by medical professionals.

1. DB’s Medical Rants: This doctor looks at the health care system and shares his thoughts — er, rants.
2. In the Pipeline:  A look at health care and medicine from a guy who has experience in pharmacies and a chemistry degree.
3. NHS Blog Doctor: This blog offers a look at the British National Health System from a doctor’s point of view. Sometimes, the tone can be scathing.
4. Nurse Ratched’s Place: This nurse shares her insight into health care news and policy, and offerings biting rants and sarcasm as part of the fun.
5. The Antidote: A professional health care consultant cuts through the spin on health care policy and news.
6. Addicted to Medblogs: A blog about medical blogs and new.

Doctors

Almost immediately, when we think of medical professionals, we consider doctors. And there are plenty of interesting blogs by doctors.

7. Edwin Leap: This physician writes about his experiences as an emergency room doctor.
8. Dr. Wes: A blog written by an internist and cardiologist who offers insight into health and the medical system.
9. GruntDoc: Learn about being a doctor, from someone who was once a doctor in the military and is now an ER doctor.
10. KevinMD: This is a well-known doctor blog who writes about the latest medical news and information.
11. Mothers in Medicine: This great blog is written by physicians who also happen to be mothers. A variety of viewpoints and medical topics.
12. DoctorMama: A great blog written by a mother-physician with an eye for the practical.
13. Doctor David’s Blog: A pediatrician writes about oncology and other medical issues.
14. The Doctor Is In: A look at life from a doctor’s perspective.
15. Doctor Anonymous: This family health care physician blogs about health related issues.
16. Dr. Greene: A medical web site and blog by a world-famous pediatrician.
17. Family Medicine Notes: One of the oldest medical blogs, and written by a physician. This blog is 10 years old.

Nurses

Nurses represent an integral part of the medical profession. Read some of these interesting blogs by nurses.

18. NJO Blog: A group of nurses comments on health care trends, careers and news.
19. Emergiblog: An ER nurse takes you behind the scenes of life in one of the most hectic places on earth.
20. Code Blog – Tales of a Nurse: Learn firsthand about nursing and some of the challenges and rewards involved.
21. about a nurse: News, career trends and information by a nurse.
22. Head Nurse: This nurse is feisty and funny, and provides some great insight into life and work in a medical profession.
23. Abilene Rob: A sharing insights on life from this former Navy S-E-A-L.
24. Cooking Nurse: A food blog written by a nurse who loves to cook and share her recipes. Yummy!
25. Death Maiden: This is an interesting and insightful nurse with experience in end of life care.
26. ImpactED Nurse: A gritty, real world look at nursing.
27. 20 Out of 10: This emergency room nurse shares interesting thoughts about life and medicine from the trenches.

Psychiatry

Learn a little bit more about mental health from psychiatric professionals.

28. Shrink Rap: A blog written by a trio of clinical psychiatrists.
29. Solo Shrink: This blog focuses on sharing tools for mental health professionals, as well as providing insight into the profession.
30. ShrinkShare: A psychiatrist “heads to the couch” to share his own inner thoughts and observations about life.
31. Skies: This blog by a psychiatrist in Baghdad offers interesting insight into issues related to mental health.
32. The Last Psychiatrist: A somewhat cheeky look at mental health.
33. Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look: A look at what is going on behind the scenes in the world of mental health.
34. May Shrink or Fade: Musings on life from a shrink.
35. Dr. X: Offers insight into free association and vintage psychology. An interesting collection of current and traditional techniques of psychoanalysis.
36. ShrinkWrapped: The attempts by a psychoanalyst to understand what goes on in the world.

Radiology and Lab Technicians

These medical professionals can be overlooked, but they really are an important part of the health care system. Check out these blogs by medical technicians.

37. X Ray Technician Blog: Learn the basics of being an x-ray tech, and read interesting stories about patients.
38. The Student Radiographer: An interesting look at becoming a radiologist, and the ins and outs of the life of a radiology student.
39. RadGirl Radiology Blog: This blog is written by a female radiologist and provides several interesting insights.
40. Tomography Blog: This blog is for medical technicians and provides an interesting place to interact.
41. Medical and Nursing Training: While nursing is looked at, many of the careers offered fall into the medical technician field. Expert opinions and information from medical professionals.
42. Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic MRI: MRI professionals focus on different techniques and share images.

Alternative Medicine

These medical professionals can provide useful and helpful services, and they offer interesting takes on medicine today.

43. Next Generation Chiropractor: This chiropractor looks at issues and information related to the practice of chiropractics today.
44. The Chiropractor Blog: A chiropractor blogs about different ways that you can be helped by chiropractic techniques.
45. The Alternative Medicine Blog: Learn about how different alternative medical practices can help improve wellness.
46. Alternative Medicine: This About.com blog is written by a naturopathic doctor and a nutrition specialist.
47. Traditional Naturopath: This blog is written by a naturopathic doctor.
48. Acupuncture & TCM Blog: This blog is written by an acupuncturist in New York.
49. World Acupuncture: Acupuncture specialist looks at current practice and technique.
50. Katolen Yarldley Holistic Health & Herbal Medicine Blog: This herbal and holistic health practitioner provides insight into alternative medicine and wellness.