Rachel Said:

Are you or anyone you know in the Air Force in the Mental Health Services AFSC? Do you enjoy it?

We Answered:

Most mental health specialists spend their time weeding out mentally ill people who managed to get in. Sometimes they can't make it through Basic Training, some wig out later or just can't get along if they have a personality disorder. It's not like a civilian job where you'd be doing therapy. The military doesn't treat mental illness.

Courtney Said:

Are non-Indians/Eskimos accepted as health care providers when working for Indian Health Services?

We Answered:

IHS has lots of non-Native employees.

As for being accepted by a community, it depends on your attitude. If you go into any job working with Natives thinking you are better then them or somehow there to "save" them, or attempting to impose your own cultural ways, I can assure you that you will not fit in. But if you are able to let go of your stereotypes, be accepting of other people and respectful of our culture, I'm sure you will do fine.

I am assuming that preference is not considered during promotions, it is most likely performance based. Even if there is preference for promotions, as long as you do your job well, you should have no problem advancing.

When I was still dealing cards, I had a conversation with a woman on my table who was an IHS hospital nurse in the 4-corners area. She was non-Native and had been employed by IHS for over 14 years and loved it. Our local community health nurse is non-Native and technically is IHS employed. (Although she is employed by the tribal Nation, the funding comes from IHS.) She has been here since the late 1980's and has no intention of leaving until it's time to retire. She really likes her job. Neither women had a hard time making a career.

Lena Said:

Do I need to be a nurse to major in Health Services Management?

We Answered:

I feel for you...I got my degree in Bus. Admin, and I'm going into actg...sooo much fun, isn't it?

I have a friend who's doing a degree in Health Management (or something like that), and she's definitely NOT a nurse. They take business courses along with things like administration, health policy, and stuff like that. Very few, if any, nursing/nursing-related courses. She said they end up competing for jobs with people out of the business program at our university, so while it may be challenging, it's not impossible. I'd try to take some courses that are related to hospitals/health management/etc., and talk to hospital admins now - ask what qualifications they'd want to see, and ask if they have any volunteer positions starting now. That way when you graduate, you have an advantage over the other business students applying. Good luck!

Joy Said:

Whats the diference between a degree in "health services administration" or "health information management"?

We Answered:

For general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'health services managers'.

For 'health info management': http://www.ahima.org

(Why would someone give a thumbs down for this answer? ;)