Accelerated Nursing Programs at Kaplan University Online

Earn your specialized nursing certificate in 12 months with the Health Care Pathways Program

We live in a highly specialized age. New industries and professions spring up as the established sectors break down into smaller categories. Driven by the wealth of detail in an increasingly complex world, employers and clients prefer to hire specialists rather than generalists. That decision is often based on cost-effectiveness. And with so much more to know about everything, it pays to specialize in your areas of interest. New career paths offer an expanding range of professional benefits, including career advancement, job security, and even self-employment opportunities. So, how can you get there from where you are now?

About The Program

Kaplan offers Health Care Pathways, an online program for nurses, therapists, social workers, and anyone whose professional life is moving into the convergence of these specialized fields. There are five certificates available through Health Care Pathways, each addressing a growing need within or related to the medical profession.

• Geriatric Care Management Certificate
  A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) arranges health and human services for senior citizens whose self-care abilities are in decline. A GCM will assess his or her patient’s needs, coordinate the services required, and monitor the situation for ongoing effectiveness. AARP statistics put the average hourly rate at $74.


 
• Life Care Planning Certificate
  A Life Care Planner (LCP) is committed to helping people with catastrophic injuries or chronic health problems. As an LCP, you’ll develop and implement plans to improve the quality of life for medically dependent people. According to the Certified Life Care Planners association, the salary range for this profession is $80 to $150 per hour.


 
• Forensic Nursing Certificate
  Certified forensic nurses examine and provide care for survivors of assaults, disasters, abuse and negligence. You’ll be called in to determine the causes of injuries and deaths, discover or help decide who’s responsible for a victim’s care, and make appropriate referrals and follow-ups. A membership survey of the International Association of Forensic Nurses indicates that you could earn from $55 to $300 per hour.


 
• Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
  A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) might be the RN who handles data collected by a forensic nurse, without actually handling the patients. Identifying standards of care, reviewing medical records and interviewing witnesses, an LNC is a valuable team member in malpractice lawsuits, medical insurance claims, and workers’ compensation cases. A compensation survey by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants shows its members earning hourly fees ranging from $70 to $200.


 
• Case Management Certificate
  Case Managers play a similar role to GCMs and LCPs, assessing and coordinating health and human services for patients with a wide range of needs. CMs plan and manage patient care, research cost-effective options, and act as the point person on a team of specialists. RNs, therapists, rehabilitation counselors and social workers are a natural fit for this career. Annual salaries range from $55,000 to $75,000 according a survey by the Management Society of America.

On Your Terms

The Health Care Pathways certificate program can be completed in 12 months and from anywhere in the world. The flexibility to set your own pace leaves room for family, professional, and other commitments while creating a work-life balance that you can sustain.

Explore these accredited accelerated nursing programs below and request free no obligation information from any that interest you.