Unitek College Blog

Economic Recession. Some say it’s coming, and others say it’s already here. You’ve heard it in the news and have felt it in your wallet. And a lot of other signs appear to agree: falling house prices, the NASDAQ and the DOW, and numerous job cuts.

However, if there are two things that have actually gone up in these financially troubled times, they are gas prices and jobs in the health care industry.

The Chevron Station across the street haughtily showing off its staggering price of $4.28 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, confirms the increase in this area. But there are more pleasant signs indicating that the demand for jobs in the health care sector has not only increased dramatically in recent years, but will continue to increase for the next few years.

Consider this excerpt from the Modesto Bee:
“Anyone looking for a job in California this spring has to be a little depressed. The collapse of the housing industry has wiped out tens of thousands of jobs in construction and the finance industry. Manufacturing is slumping. Retail is not doing much better. If not for schools, health care, government and information technology, the state’s employers wouldn’t be adding any jobs at all.”

And a lot of that is demand is driven by the need for more nurses. In this employment crunch, everything I’m hearing is about the nursing shortage crisis and how nursing programs are having to turn away prospective students by the hundreds due to the lack of space. The jobs are out there, it’s simply become a rat race for those wanting to get the training to fill those spots.

Fortunately, the state has gotten involved in trying to address this crisis. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (still weird to say that) introduced the California Nurse Education Initiative back in April 2005 to expand the number of nursing programs. The Labor and Workforce Development Agency just released a report earlier in the month stating that California nursing programs are projected to graduate nearly 10,400 registered nurses this year, a 68% increase from the 2003-2004 academic year. (SF Gate)

However, “experts” are warning that it’s still too early to declare the nursing shortage over. And many students are still having difficulty grabbing spots at inadequately resourced community colleges. Some have turned to private training programs as viable and immediate options. After all, how many people can really afford to wait?

Since 1987, the City of Fremont has operated a very successful scholarship housing program. It allows rent scholarships for students that are completing job related coursework. I think this is a great option for upcoming students in Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse (LVN to RN), Medical Assisting (MA), and Pharmacy Technician (PT) Training.

If a student meets ALL of the following conditions, they are eligible for the scholarship program:

• Are you at least 18 years of age?
• Are you supporting a family?
• Do you have a good credit history?
• Are you a full time student with a GPA of 2.8 or above?
• Have you been enrolled for a minimum of one quarter or 12 weeks in an eligible training program and have 18 months or less remaining for your certification?
• Are you committed to a better quality of life?

For more information, please contact Janis Carey at 510-494-4511 or housingandredevelopment@ci.fremont.ca.us

Unitek College’s LVN program is the most accelerated, full-time, accredited LVN program available in the SF Bay Area today. Unlike Community Colleges and Universities, there aren’t a handful of pre-requisite courses necessary (such as Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology) just to apply, or even be considered, to their nursing program. Unitek’s LVN program bypasses this lengthy step with its 3 week “crash course” in medical terminology. The crash course is plenty enough because it properly and adequately prepares the student for the 11 month long, three level, and accelerated nursing program.

Unitek allows the eager nursing student to put his/her foot right in the door, without the uncertainty of the application process or the extra two year waiting list. But don’t be fooled by its easy admittance standards; the LVN program is really a tough and demanding curriculum! As a 33 year old with a Bachelor’s degree and several IT certifications, I can honestly say that this is the most challenging (and most rewarding) learning experience in my academic career. The course materials include topics such as the fundamentals of Medical-Surgery, Pharmacology, and practical nursing skills. Each level is increasing more difficult and more demanding than the previous. The program is condensed and moves at a high speed! And yes, you will be a critical thinker & learner!

Having said all this, I’d like to share with you my personal insights for the would-be Unitek LVN student: Read the rest of this entry »

For one of our 2008 nursing graduations, Unitek College put together a National Anthem video with some nursing pictures. Check it out.

For details about the Unitek College RN training program, please visit Unitek College.

With a degree in nursing, Elsa Mendoza didn’t have to look far for a job. After receiving her degree in nursing from Unitek College in 2007, the 25-year-old Elsa applied for positions at four local hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area; (Kaiser, Stanford Hospital, El Camino Hospital, and Good Samaritan). Elsa soon received four job offers from all four hospitals. Within a short period of time Elsa was earning an annual income of more than $65,000 and only working four days a week.

As the fears of recession build up, employees begin to worry about their future, fortunately nursing jobs are one of the five careers that are recession proof according to Yahoo.

“As long as people continue to get sick, there will be a need for nurses. Nurses perform perhaps the most critical role of all–they save lives and prevent illness. And with demographic shifts putting extra strain on the health care system, nurses are experiencing unprecedented demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts nearly 30 percent growth in nursing jobs through 2014, the second largest increase of any occupation.”

Did your profession make the top five recession proof careers?

I can’t seem to get the consistent urgent demand that’s going on for nursing and healthcare. By 2012, it’s quoted that over a million additional nurses will be needed for the emerging baby boomer generation. Several people are talking about this and reporting it online (view article). Then there’s the perks. Flexible hours, six figure salaries (once in senior management). It all seems too good to be true. My fiancé’s mom is a director of nursing at a hospital and gets to take one week off a month in vacation, and gets paid overtime! Not only that, she gets additional pay incentives for working the night shift.

There is obviously a need and a demand for what is obviously a great career path. How else would I know? I market it. I consistently see people who are looking to change their lives, and also to improve their quality of living. I see graduating students going to great jobs at Stanford, and other surrounding bay area schools (check out last year’s graduating class video, second video from the top). I also want to point out that we didn’t produce that student video. It was provided by our great class of students in 2006. I’m proud of the fact that we help people reach their dreams, and also improve their career opportunities. I ask you. Why not fill out a form? Speak to an educational advisor. There’s no risk. The only thing you have to lose is a chance at finding out what can be a great new life.

Eric Garrison
Marketing Manager
Unitek