Pre-Health Advantage
School of Integrative Learning
Health careers are expanding at a fast pace and rely on a wide range of individual skills, abilities, and knowledge. Health careers are not “one size fits all,” and Pre-Health advising shouldn’t be either. The Pre-Health Advantage connects Doane’s progressive approach to a flexible curriculum and individualized advising with student-tailored co-curricular experiences supported by excellent resources.
Many students have an interest in healthcare but aren’t sure about the most appropriate major, let alone a specific career. That’s okay! Often an undergraduate student objective in a pre-health program is to obtain admittance to their desired graduate program. While this is a priority for faculty and staff and Doane, of equal importance is helping students prepare for success in graduate school and to achieve a gratifying career in their chosen health field. Typical majors for Doane students in the pre-health program include:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health & Human Performance
- Health & Society
- Health Sciences Pre-Health Professions
- Physical Science
- Psychology
Doane University’s successful reputation in preparing students for continuing education in health fields continues to expand beyond Nebraska. One example is the recent partnership with Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences which guarantees matriculation to medical school after the third year of undergraduate work for qualified students.
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The Doane Difference
Our Approach
Doane’s CORE curriculum provides the flexibility for student experience and experimentation intentionally connecting pre-health students with a variety of academic areas. Faculty value and coordinate candid conversations with students to identify the end goal which often requires a personalized academic and co-curricular plan. The Liberal Arts is an important value-added component to the student experience enhancing the important pre-health occupation skills and at the same time also complimenting the education with increasingly important “soft skills”.
Our Experiences
The Doane experience prepares pre-health students not simply to “get in” but more importantly to “get out.” Preparatory skills are complemented by a Pre-Health Boot Camp, the Senior Capstone Experience, and a dedicated Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) dedicated to both advising and endorsement.
Our Resources
Doane has a dedicated Pre-Health faculty advisor connected to critical staff and other faculty with the specific objective to support the individualized interests of students. A student-led Health & Medical Occupations Club (HMOC) supports additional opportunities for co-curricular experiences. Our “Advising Guide” helps to establish realistic expectations while also outlining support resources to be successful.
Our Facts
Doane University has been successful in assisting students in achieving their goal of enrollment into medical school. Through 2017 and over the last 5 years, students who have earned at least a 3.5 GPA and scored at least a 503 on the MCAT have earned acceptance into a med school program. Although uncommon in the US, recently, an international student achieved admittance into med school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Doane has established a partnership with KCU which guarantees acceptance after the third year of undergraduate work for qualified students
Program Information
Careers in healthcare are highly varied and diverse and encompass technical, practitioner, and support positions. As the American population ages, there is an increased demand for healthcare services, leading to greater than average projected job growth in these fields. Some examples include:
Dentist
2017 Median Pay: $158,120
Job Outlook: +19% over the next 10 years
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
Exercise physiologists
2017 Median Pay: $49,090
Job Outlook: +13% over the next 10 years
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
2017 Median Pay: $110,930
Job Outlook: +15% over the next 10 years
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.
Physical Therapists
2017 Median Pay: $86,850
Job Outlook: +28% over the next 10 years
Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of the rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.
Physician or Surgeon
2017 Median Pay: >$208,000
Job Outlook: +13% over the next 10 years
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Source: bls.gov.
Doane provides valuable opportunities for students to intern and gain clinical exposure. Some recent examples of area internships include:
- Nick Stolze - Faith Regional in Norfolk
- Nick Iwata - Rocky Mountain Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Paige (Hervert) Lucas - Lincoln Orthopedic Surgical Center
- Landon Zarybnicky - Wilber Physical Therapy
An important component of internships is the relationships we build with local professional partners, allowing us to provide access to valuable hands-on experiences. Doane has established a number of area partnerships for students including:
- Crete Area Medical Center
- Crete Physical Therapy
- Ken's Pharmacy
- Public Health Solutions
- Madonna Rehabilitation
- Bryan Health
- Campus Crusade for Christ International - U.S. (CRU)
Doane provides access to critical courses that set students up for success in graduate programs.
Many Doane students have an interest in continuing on to Physical Therapy graduate school. Important prerequisite courses for PT school include:
- Introductory Biology courses (BIO110, BIO111 and BIO112)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 215/216 or BIO355/356)
- General Chemistry I and II (CHM 125/CHM 126)
- Physics I and II (PHY 107/108 or PHY 201/202)
- Introductory Psychology (PSY 117)
- Developmental Psychology (PSY 255 or PSY 259)
- Introductory Sociology (SOC 109)
- Statistics or Biostatistics (BIO295)
Many Doane students have an interest in continuing on to medical school. Important prerequisite courses for medical school include:
- Introductory Biology courses (BIO110, BIO111 and BIO112)
- General Chemistry I and II (CHM 125/CHM 126)
- Organic Chemistry I and II (CHM 205/CHM 206)
- Biochemistry (CHM 330)
- Physics I and II (PHY 107/PHY 108 or PHY 201/PHY202)
- Statistics or Biostatistics (BIO295)
- English Composition (ENG 101)
- Humanities or Social Sciences - typically fulfilled with Psychology and/or Sociology courses
Doane Sports Medicine
Health and Medical Occupations Club
Human and Planetary Health Society (HPHS)
Pre-Health Boot Camp
Offered in partnership with Doane’s College to Career Center, the Pre-Health Boot Camp is an intensive three-day workshop provided at no cost to qualifying pre-health students. Activities include self-evaluation, career exploration, application tips and timelines, test preparation planning, hands-on skills sessions and networking opportunities with practicing health care professionals
Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC)
HPAC is an interdisciplinary group of faculty members who provide focused and supportive advising to students, maintain student online professional portfolios, write committee letters for professional school applicants, and administer mock interview scenarios for students preparing for professional school interviews.
Student Wellness Action Team
Students are introduced to factors that can influence the collegiate experience, as well as the Seven Dimensions of Wellness. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of healthy behaviors and how to influence them on a college campus, be able to implement and assess wellness programming and be familiar with campus resources and how to refer peers for advanced care.
Studying at Doane has been one of the best experiences—I've been able to conduct research, present at conferences, and have my work published.
Helena Valquier-Flynn ’18
Biochemistry
