What Do Lab Technicians Do--and Could You Do It, Too? Rapid Job Growth Predicted for Healthcare Administrators What Everyone Should Know About Nursing Help Yourself to a Healthcare Career Why the U.S. Nursing Shortage is Good for You

In Healthcare, It Feels Great to Help Others Feel Better

By Kate McIntyre
Learning & Life Columnist
February 9, 2007

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare is currently the fastest-growing industry in our country. This growth is spurred by advances in medical treatment and an aging population that requires more care. Healthcare jobs, reports the Wall Street Journal, are not only plentiful but rewarding. Its recent study suggests that careers in healthcare are among the most satisfying.

Career Options in Healthcare

Two particularly popular careers in healthcare are nursing and physical therapy. Nurses can choose from a variety of specialties such as trauma, intensive care, or pediatrics. Physical therapy assistants help physical therapists treat patients by helping to restore body movement, ease pain, and prevent permanent damage. Not all healthcare careers require direct contact with patients. Some of the most important healthcare work, such as healthcare management, is performed behind the scenes. Healthcare managers make sure that hospitals and doctors' offices run smoothly. They make decisions about personnel, building operations, and finances.

Training and Salaries for Healthcare Careers

Educational requirements for careers in healthcare can vary dramatically. Healthcare managers generally need a degree in business or healthcare administration. Physical therapy assistants need an associate's degree in physical therapy assistance. Registered nurses must earn either associate's or bachelor's degrees in nursing.

Healthcare careers have a wide salary range. Generally, the more training you have, the more money you will make. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare managers make an average of $67,430 per year, followed by registered nurses, who make $52,330 on average. Physical therapy assistants earn around $37,890 a year.

Careers in healthcare are smart choices right now, and the jobs listed above are only a fraction of your options. There are healthcare careers to match nearly everyone's talents and interests. Which one is right for you?

Sources:

• The Wall Street Journal, "2006 Best Careers: The Results Are In"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Healthcare"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Medical and Health Services Managers"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Registered Nurses"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Science Technicians"

About the Author
Kate McIntyre, a fiction writer in Portland, Oregon, holds an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.

More Healthcare Careers Articles

Add to My Favorites

	Location: --- All Locations --- Online ------------------------ Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico ------------------------ Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory London Degree: --- All Degrees --- Associate Bachelor Master Doctoral Diploma Certificate Coursework Subject: --- All Subjects --- Architecture Arts and Design Beauty and Cosmetology Business Communication and Media Computer Culinary Education Engineering Health and Clinical Legal and Law Enforcement Liberal Arts and Humanities Other Science Social Services Travel and Hospitality Vocational/Technician Program: --- All Programs --- Alternative Medicine Assisting Counseling Dental Fitness Gerontology Health Technology Healthcare Administration Laboratory Massage Therapy Nursing Pharmaceutical Rehabilitation and Therapy Veterinary

	Associate's (AABA) - Healthcare Administration Associate's (AABA) - Medical Coding and Billing More Programs

	Make your career count. Find a healthcare training program now.