The New Jobs in Healthcare
Smart Career Options for Moms and Dads Looking to Start a New Degree
Q: I've heard that there are going to be new jobs in the health care industry. Is that true?
Absolutely. Career experts agree that healthcare is a rapidly growing industry. In January 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported that healthcare's hiring wave is "far from over." The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that more than 3 million healthcare jobs — of every variety — will be added to the market by 2018. That figure includes 581,500 openings for registered nurses and nearly 461,000 openings for home health aides.
Q. Why is the healthcare industry thriving and growing, while other sectors are downsizing?
There are four main reasons why healthcare is booming, and why it will continue to grow for at least the next 10 years:
- 1. Federal healthcare reform legislation (the push to insure all Americans) will result in millions of new patients. More patients require bigger facilities with more medical professionals on staff.
- 2. The population is aging and living longer. Baby-boomers are approaching their senior years, which means that they'll need more medical care.
- 3. The nursing workforce is aging. Nationwide, thousands of desperately needed nurses are due to retire between 2010 and 2020.
- 4. Technology is changing healthcare treatments and policies. The only way to keep pace with these advances is to hire recent graduates with up-to-date degrees.
Q. I want to work in the medical field, but I don't know if I'm ready for nursing school. Are there any high-demand healthcare jobs that require less training?
Yes. In fact, U.S. News & World Report's recent overview, "The 50 Best Careers of 2010," highlights this exact point. The article reports that, "aside from [nursing], there are slightly more under-the-radar careers that require less schooling, such as X-ray technician, lab technician, or physical therapist assistant."
Q. Who is going to hire all of these medical professionals?
Openings will continue to crop up at hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. But outpatient clinics and urgent care facilities are expected to hire a significant number of tomorrow's healthcare graduates.
Outpatient clinics are expanding all across the country. The reason for this is simple. Hospital emergency room visits are very expensive, especially for primary care and minor emergencies. As clinics grow in popularity, every community will need to hire more nurses, more nurse practitioners, and more medical technologists. They will also need more medical administrators, medical assistants, and human resources specialists.
Q. What about home healthcare? I've heard that more and more patients will receive personal care in their homes. How can I obtain that type of employment?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, home healthcare is one of the fastest growing segments of the medical field. It's less expensive than hospital treatment, patients prefer to stay home, and in-home technology provides the same quality care as most hospitals.
Home healthcare specialists can work as nurses, nursing assistants, physical therapists, home health aides, or extended care aides. Within this category of employment, there are degree programs available at a variety of educational levels. And home healthcare specialists also enjoy the freedom of a fluid work environment.
Q. I don't think I'd like working with sick people. Are there jobs in the healthcare industry that are somewhat removed from patient care?
Yes, healthcare encompasses a variety of administrative roles and business-based positions. Students can major in healthcare administration, and learn how to run a healthcare organization — like a hospital or a clinic. If you enjoy working with computers or numbers, you might enjoy a career in health information technology or medical billing. Or, you can choose to study public health. You'll learn how to create the policies and manage the resources that contribute to safe and healthy communities.
Involved in the development and administration of online courses and programs since the early 1990s, Dr. Susan Smith Nash's current interests have to do with using innovative approaches to help students succeed, and helping organizations develop thriving, dynamic programs. Her latest book, Excellence in College Teaching and Learning was co-authored by George Henderson and deals with online teaching and learning.
Elizabeth O'Neill holds an MFA in Creative Writing. She is a contributing writer at eLearners.com, EarnMyDegree.com, and GradSchools.com.
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