One more reason to consider "carefully" before throwing support to state licensure where it does not exist. I feel sorry for you Nathan and I'd like to have someone explain the upside of licensing to you. It seems it's not about having a license (like a driver's license) to practice histology. I fear it's just more about fattening state coffers and adding another level of bureauracracy to things.
If you are educated (as you are Nate) and if you are academically eligible to sit for the registry exam. And if you can satisfactorily pass the exam, what has state licensing got to do with it? Are you a better histologist in New York because you're "licensed" as opposed to your neighbors in PA, for example who aren't? I think not. Does licensing prove something that science degrees and registry certifications do not? Maybe I just don't get it. And I'm not trying to pick a fight here with the supporters of licensing. I just haven't heard a good convincing argument for it yet. I'm also quite certain that even though monetary compensation has improved somewhat, the last thing most Histologists need is another payment. The privilege to work in a certain state, which is paid for (by you) nothing more?! I suppose some kindly employers out there somewhere could pay for it...good luck with that. Here's an idea, let's say you're degreed and registry eligible and/or have passed your board exam(s) and are certified. How 'bout the state says you've met the qualification for licensing, here you go! Nate you are degreed and certified and in my book and in the book of the current state I live in - Oregon - and the states I've worked in - Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota - you are more than qualified to work. I for one would not hesitate in the least to consider a person such as yourself for employment. Again you are more than qualified, even though you are "unlicensed". I guess I just don't understand how credentialing - degrees and certifications - aren't enough, but licensing is the magic ticket to better science/medicine/patient care/whatever. I'm sure some folks out there will bring on the firestorm, but again Nathan I feel sorry for you and I don't see the reasoning behind this. Tom Jasper Thomas Jasper HT (ASCP) BAS Histology Supervisor Central Oregon Regional Pathology Services Bend, Oregon 97701 541/693-2677 tjas...@copc.net -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nathan Jentsch Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 11:46 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Bachelor's Degrees Paula, Let me tell you that this is an extremely frustrating point for me not for getting a job but for getting a license in New York State (which is related because I'm technically supposed to have a license to work). Despite the fact that I have a B.S. in a science field and have been working competently at my job for almost two years now, the state wants me to have an A.S. in histotechnology to get my license. They won't even consider HT certification as sufficient. If a collective group of experts in the fields of laboratory science and pathology say I'm qualified, why isn't that good enough for a bunch of beurocrats who can't even manage the pocket book of our state. Nate _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
