It is not easy to decide on a career path you would want to follow for the rest of your life. It is always difficult to choose between job potential and passion for some other interest.
It is important to foster skills for the path you want to pursue early in college. As a result, it is also imperative that you choose a direction before you finish college. You should consider the state of the industry that you are interested in, as well as the potential growth of demand for professionals from your career.
Industries that have in-demand careers usually opt for qualified and trained professionals that possess a specific set of skills. Many careers look quite impressive but have no potential for growth and a salary increase.
As a result, it gets quite overwhelming to choose between different options that you are interested in. Students often get confused and feel pressured while choosing which degree to go for and which career path to take.
Deciding in a hurry can often lead to selecting the wrong path and regretting it. We have curated a list for you to help you know the best healthcare jobs that show great potential for the future.
1. Dentists
Dentists treat and diagnose problems related to an individual’s gums, teeth, and mouthparts. One needs to undergo extensive training to become a dentist. Students can either pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD).
The Commission accredits programs for dentistry on Dental Accreditation. Colleges usually require the students to pass the Dental Admission Test before pursuing a degree in dentistry.
Students study subjects such as biology, local anesthesia, periodontics, anatomy, and radiology. Additional training and passing the state exam National Board Dental Examinations for licensure are required for all dentists. They are also required to get specialized training that is either a 2 or a 4-year residency.
They can work in various settings such as a hospital, private practice, or even for the government. Demand for dental services is higher than ever, and the median annual salary for dentists is around $160,000.
2. Registered Nurses
Registered nurses are responsible for coordinating patient care and patient and public Education about various health conditions they are at risk for.
There are three paths available if one chooses to be a registered nurse. They can either take a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, a diploma from an approved nursing program, or an associate’s degree in nursing. Their study includes courses in physiology, anatomy, microbiology, and other behavioral sciences.
To work in hospitals, nurses usually require a Bachelor’s degree. To go for higher positions such as Clinical Nurse Specialists, students have to complete a Master’s degree and have at least one year of practice in the related field.
It is also recommendable to put in the extra effort and take an additional medical course where you can earn a certification in PALS and stand out in the job-seeking field.
They are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination to become a registered nurse. There are many job options available in nursing, such as addiction nursing, critical care nursing, cardiovascular nursing, and neonatal nursing.
3. Psychologists
Psychologists study emotional, cognitive, and social processes, including behavior, through observation and experimentation methods.
The basic skills psychologists need to cultivate are good communication skills, assessment, treatment, diagnosing, and various forms of therapy. The American Psychological Association accredits psychology courses.
Psychologists also require credits in continuing education to maintain their membership in the American Psychological Association. There are various career paths one can take in the field of psychology.
Clinical psychologists are required to treat individuals with chronic disorders, developmental psychologists focus on children and adolescents, and forensic psychologists specialize in using psychology for helping judges and attorneys.
One can easily go for a Master’s in the area they want to specialize in. There are even Online masters degree in psychology if one wishes to choose distance learning. The median annual salary for a psychologist is around $90,000.
4. Surgeon
Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries and diseases. The pathway to becoming a surgeon is quite a difficult one. It takes a total of 7-10 years to complete training for being a surgeon fully. Students study subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and math.
Medical schools are highly competitive, requiring students to pass the Medical College Admission Test and have impeccable extracurricular activities and grades in school. They are also required to complete residency under the supervision of experienced surgeons.
Surgeons are required to be licensed by every state. Usually, they have to pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination. In general, surgeons should have good dexterity, have leadership and organizational skills, physical stamina, and detail orientation.
They work in hospitals, clinics, private practice, and even in group practices. They can work in the field of gynecology, pediatrics, and general surgery. The average pay of a surgeon is a whopping $260,000 per year.
5. Physician’s assistant
Physician’s assistants practice medicine as a part of a team with surgeons, physicians, and other healthcare workers. They are required to obtain a Master’s degree, which takes almost 2-years of full-time study. Most students already possess prior experience as registered nurses or paramedics before going for a physician assistant program.
The Accreditation Review Commission accredits these programs on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. they require supervised practice under physician supervision. All are required to be licensed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
They can work in many settings, such as physicians, outpatient care centers, and hospitals. Their median annual salary is $115,000. Their employment rate is expected to grow 31 percent in the next ten years.
Conclusion: Growing medical career paths in the healthcare industry
With technological advancements, new fields are getting introduced. However, the charm of being in a medical field is beyond just rewards. It is very much gratifying too. Plus, the medical field has always been essential.
The industry is growing at a tremendous rate, and more and more practitioners are needed. So, choosing a career path in the medical field will always lead to a stable career. Also, the demand won’t ever stop. So, if you are keen enough to join the medical field, you can go through this list to help you choose the best one for you.
The Ideas Plus Business Editorial team is responsible for this post. For collaborations and partnership requests, kindly send an email to the Editorial Team at ideasplusbusiness[at]gmail[dot]com for the terms and conditions. You can also follow IdeasPlusBusiness.com on Twitter here and like our page on Facebook here.
