I think there has been some miss communication on the new NSH Associate
Degree suggestion.  It will not apply to those of us that are already
registered.  What NSH is asking is that it will require an Associate Degree
to take the registery.  Being in Histology for almost 30 years, I have seen
a lot of changes in the past 10 years.  With specialties of
Immunohistochemistry, In-Situ Hybridization, Electron Microscopy and Image
Analysis being brought into the Histology area of the lab a higher level of
education will be needed for the next generation.  I am very concerned that
there will be an additional shortage of histo techs unless we establish more
training programs across the nation.

Donna Willis
Histology Lab Manager
Harris Methodist Fort Worth
 ----------
From: LMGephart@aol.com
To: joseph_nocito@srhc.iwhs.org; histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Re: Associate Degree for HT
Date: Thursday, April 29, 1999 11:46PM

That's absurd.  What makes an Associate Degree so important?  I've been
doing
histology for 20 years without that piece of paper...and a darned good job,
too.

What makes people think that a 2 year degree, a 4 year degree or even an
master's degree can make a skilled employee and a solid worker?  We've taken
the ASCP test and have proven ourselves.  That should be good enough.  Who's
great idea was it to diminish that by requiring a random number of college
credits?

Linda Gephart
All Saints Hospital
Fort Worth, TX