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Regardless of the time of year, where you’re located or how the economy is performing, there is always a need for medical professionals, nurses and first responders.

Individuals in search of a career in nursing and those seeking a first responder career are expected to see a favorable outlook, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2018, employment for registered nurses (RNs) is projected to grow by 22.2 percent, and by 20.7 percent for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). Similarly, employment for first responders, specifically emergency medical response technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, is promising with a projected growth of 9 percent by 2018.

What do you need to do for a first responder career in Pennsylvania?
First responders are usually the first on the scene at an emergency and must act quickly and efficiently to deliver life saving care. To become an EMT or paramedic in PA, you must complete specific schoolings and certification courses. For example, a post secondary vocational award is required and a certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) can make you more desirable in this competitive field.

There were 6,390 new hires in PA in the first quarter of 2011. Making sure you’re armed with the right education and training can help you be a part of that number in upcoming years.

How can you prepare for a PA career in nursing?
Nursing has more diverse career opportunities than those available to first responders, and work environments can span from hospitals to nursing and residential care facilities. In PA, in the first quarter of 2011, there were 4,547 new hospital hires and 6,209 new hires in nursing and residential care facilities. RNs, LPNs and LVNs are all active in the nursing field and bring their own valuable skill sets to the table. RNs are required to have an associate degree while LPNs and LVNs only need a post secondary vocational award. Earning the relevant certifications, in areas such as ACLS or pediatric advanced life support (PALS), should you be working with infants and children, can accelerate your placement – and possible advancement – in the nursing field.

As mentioned, certification is an important part of any nursing or first responder career. It can make you more marketable while job seeking and a greater asset to the team once employed. Health Ed Solutions, a leading provider of online ACLS, PALS and BLS certifications, offers a flexible, set-your-own-pace option to certify or recertify. This can be especially helpful considering first responders and nurses don’t often work the typical 9-to-5 workday. Visit healthedsolutions.com for more information about online ACLS certification, PALS certification and BLS certification and AED and CPR training courses.