Degree in Nursing Or Health Education - Health Care's Need For New Professionals

Earning a degree in nursing or an education in Healthcare is an extremely wise decision in tough economic times. The creation of new jobs and job prospects are troubling in many areas during an economic recession. However, the health care industry is one industry that is currently enjoying substantial growth in available jobs as well as a need for new professionals across the United States.

If you are considering earning your degree in nursing or embarking on a career in this field, here are a few of the United State's fastest-growing fields.

Registered Nurses

Earning a degree in nursing will prepare you to enter the largest health care occupation in the United States, registered nurses currently hold more than 2.6 million jobs. Not only does earning a nursing degree prepare you to enter the largest health care occupation it also prepares you to enter one of the fastest growing profession in the nation. There are a number of factors contributing to the growth in this field including: a growing population of Baby Boomers and the increasing use of preventative health care as well as a high number of retiring experienced nurses.

The field of registered nurses is expected to generate more than 500,000 jobs over the next eight years, which is among the largest growth for any field or occupation.

Home Health Aides

There is a growing demand from the nation's aging population for home-based health services, which has triggered great demand for employment of home health aides. Individuals pursuing a degree in nursing or an education in health care will be preparing themselves to enter another occupation that is projected to grow by more than 300,000 jobs over the next seven years.

Home health aides are being hired in record numbers due to an increase in efforts to reduce costs by moving individuals out of hospitals as quickly as possible. Individuals, who earn a degree in nursing, are hired as home health aides and implement their education to provide a variety of health-related services to help elderly or disabled persons to remain in their homes.

Medical Assistants

The field of medical assistants is also one of the United States' fastest-growing occupations. Individuals earning a degree in nursing or other health care education are ideal candidates for a career as a medical assistant. Medical assistants are expected to perform a number of clinical and administrative duties as directed by a physician. These duties include but are not limited to maintaining records, scheduling appointments, administering medication and recording medical histories.

The field of medical assistants is expected to created more than 90,000 job openings annually. Students, who earn a degree in nursing or education in health care, will be preparing themselves to enter a field that is one of the fastest-growing in the United States. This field is expected to grow due to the need to replace workers who are retiring or leaving the field as well as the creation of a large number of new positions. Those who are have earned a degree in nursing or an education in health care should have the best opportunities to obtain a job.

Earning a degree in nursing or an education in health care not only prepares you to enter these fields but also any of the other rapidly growing fields of health care. Pursuing a degree in nursing or health care is an investment in your future and will prepare you to enter some of the fastest-growing industries in the nation.
About this Author

Dr. Mark Wooden is the Dean of Health Sciences at Grand Canyon University, College of Nursing and Health Science. For more information about our health sciences programs, visit our http://conhs.gcu.edu/.

Health Management Training Programs

The health field, like all businesses, needs professionals dedicated to correctly organizing and implementing administrative duties. Learning to keep a hospital or other medical clinic running efficiently can be gained through an education in health management. Students have several training options that they can choose from in order to enter a career.

Management positions can be gained by completing a program from the associate's to doctoral level of schooling. Each level of schooling trains students to enter a career as a manager but the level of education earned dictates the position students can enter. This means that someone with an associate's can become a manager inside a local clinic and someone with a master's can become a top-manager inside an organization. The main difference is that an associate's degree gives students the fundamental skills required to be a manager and a master's provides students with advanced knowledge of the industry.

Students that can't dedicate a large amount of time to schooling should consider earning an associate's degree. Programs focus on creating effective leaders that can handle the stresses of the health industry. Some general courses that students may take include:

    * Management Concerns in Health
    * Medical Terminology
    * Public Speaking
    * Management Strategies

All fundamental areas are covered leaving students with the skills to use management procedures and apply them to the finances and regulations within a health facility. Many students go on to complete a bachelor's degree program at a later time.

Gaining broad knowledge in business procedures and health issues can be learned inside a bachelor's degree program. A four-year program that encompasses both aspects of the field provides students with the procedural skills to work with medical care technologies, employees, and patients. Bachelor's degree courses typically include:

    * Accounting
    * Economics
    * Health Law
    * Health Organization and Administration

Leadership abilities and management skills that are crucial to professional work can be gained. Students will be able to oversee large groups, understand health reforms, and manage projects.

To gain the proper skills to be able to work in all areas of the industry students should continue education at the master's degree level. Education at this level teaches students to manage health operations and facilities according to established standards. Coursework may include:

    * Budgeting
    * Strategic Planning
    * Health Information Systems
    * Finance

Students are able to work as administrators and more in nursing homes, health agencies, and hospitals after completing a master's degree program. Coursework will prepare students to assess the needs of a facility and allow them to promptly solve problems and produce solutions for various areas. Further education can be pursued within doctoral study. Education at this level focuses on research oriented procedures to advance the health system.

All accredited training options prepare students to become valuable managers in the health field. To begin education students can determine what level of managing they would like to perform. Once this is established students can enter the appropriate degree level required for their career goal. Students should enroll in a fully accredited program to ensure that they will receive a quality education. Accreditation is provided by agencies like the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools ( www.abhes.org ).

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.
About this Author

Renata McGee is a staff writer for PETAP.org. Visit http://www.petap.org to locate Health Management Schools and Colleges providing the education you're looking for. PETAP.org, your Partners in Education and Tuition Assistance Programs.