I love it,Excellent article.I am decide to put this into use one of these days.Thank you for sharing this.To Your Success!

The Bay Area has a very active Craigslist - go to the job listing and do a search on acupuncture. There's usually lots of stuff. Good luck!

TXstudent.

Congrats and welcome to the profession.  Maybe you can enlighten us as to how you came to decide upon your school. 

Many of the professions you mention fail to understand that acupuncture is about knowing when to needle, when not to needle, and where to needle.  They only consider the act of needling important and dismiss the theories that make it work well. 

Having the title of "Dr" is also an important point when it comes to who to choose to perform acupuncture on you.  Like your faculty mention, I also got my Doctorate in Chiropractic, many years after having my MTOM degree.  I do not know if you are looking to replicate this path but if you are, please consider that taking the DC program first will save you a lot of time (2 years) and lots of money ($).  Also many OM programs offer night courses, which still allow a DC to work during the day.  I know of two DC's that attended during my OM schooling, while still maintaining their own practices.  One final note on this that deserves mention is that SCUHS, in Los Angeles, offers a five year dual program leading to a DC/MSAOM degree.  We are starting to see graduates of the combined program in practice. 

The whole competition for patient dollars has intensified due to the current economy and jobless rate.  Parity is also an issue, of which, you will need to consider your state's acupuncture laws related to insurance reimbursement.  This has been a big issue for LAc's in many states that later find out that insurance companies are denying them access due to non-inclusion in the statutes.  Check these before you decide upon a state to practice unless you like the added struggle or have really good marketing skills. 

I am in the same place as TCM123...'successful' corporate career whose WM issues were not dealt with adequately; went to an OM practitioner and, while not healed, came out in much better condition.  I too was so impressed that I have started in an AOM school. 

WRT the DAOM degree, I suspect what is being unsaid in your dialogue is the recognition that having 'Dr.' in front of your name legitimizes you for prospective, wary of OM, patients. As one of my instructors likes to phrase it....'EVERYONE [MD/DO/RN/PT/DC/PA...] thinks they can do acupuncture with minimal [~150-200 hrs] training' and this person is a DC who understood, after that seminar-level training, that they didn't know enough to be effective. This person went to the school I am attending, got the MAOM degree and now teaches there in addition to having a successful practice. 

I may betray my prejudice, but the 'average' person of my prior life would never even consider going to someone for health care who wasn't some sort of 'doctor'.  I agree with Naturaldoc that our scope of practice is defined by our state legislatures, but how we 'compete' for patient dollars will be totally based on a perception of parity amongst other so-called medical professionals.   

Here is the announcement from the above link.

Northwestern Expects a Robust Fall Class
Posted on Aug. 26, 2010

More than 200 new students are expected when classes resume at Northwestern on Sept. 7. It will be one of the largest incoming classes in recent years. “We’re excited about the fall trimester,” said Bill Kuehl, director of admissions. “Our numbers are on pace to meet our admissions goals.”

All academic programs expect to see strong class sizes. The anticipated class sizes are:

    * MCAOM: 15 – 20 students;
    * Chiropractic: 125 – 130 students;
    * Massage therapy: 25 – 30 students; and
    * Undergraduate studies: More than 40 students.

In the fall of 2009, Northwestern updated and refocused its plans to reach potential students by introducing an array of new tactics. Kuehl speaks highly of the faculty calling program: “The faculty calling program has been extremely beneficial. We have received positive feedback from both our faculty and the incoming students.” Shortly after a student is accepted into an academic program, a faculty member will connect with them by phone to congratulate them and answer any questions the new student may have.

Projections for the winter trimester are also good. “We are two times ahead of where we were last year,” said Kuehl. “The winter class is looking strong.”

Northwestern Health Science University announces it is expecting to have large fall class sizes for 2010. 

http://www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/fallclass10.html

Rick,
There are many things, including study, that you can start before classes start.  Good for you on taking the initiative.  Many ideas, such as books to purchase, are listed on various threads on this website.  Please feel free to read them.  I have also mentioned ideas related to other items, such as computer, printer, living situation located nearby the school, etc. 

If you have additional or more specific questions, let me know.


Naturaldoc

I've set mey target for attending school in the summer of 2011.  The months will fly by.  Are there any things that I can study before then?

Thanks for any ideas!

Rick

Yoski,

Are you saying that the treatment was a better experience due to a more polished look or not?  I could not tell which. 

My reason for suggesting Japanese or lighter needling is so that you can master the acupuncture(s) in all their utility.  I would recommend that any student really learn to get good at insertion of all acupuncture needles and learn to needle the sensitive points really well.  Patients will greatly appreciate you and even tell others when it does not hurt, which is not pre-requisite for efficacy. 

Usage of Japanese needling on the outer bladder UB points 42 and/or 43, can be quite relaxing to the mind. 

Thanks for the link. 

Rachel,

You might want to start getting some treatments at the school clinic and then ask them about their own clinics needs.  You might also want to get to know clinic supervisors and treating faculty, and ask them once you get some rapport. 

Congrats on finding a good program that should suit you well. 

Glad you found some info here useful.