While you can acquire a position in healthcare with any amount of education, still, you are much more likely to find a fulfilling job that will provide you a substantial lifestyle if you continue adding to your knowledge. Consequently, your education will directly impact your ability to get a job in healthcare. Here are a few examples of education requirements from the greatest amount of time in school to the least.
Doctor
It can take anywhere from ten to fourteen years to graduate undergrad, medical school and your residency to be a doctor. Medical school undoubtedly consumes a large chunk of your life that would be spent developing your skills, but of all the options in healthcare, obtaining a medical license will give you the highest salary potential. And, there are many directions you can take with this type of career- your internships and residency can help you make that decision. With as many schooling hours as are required for this career path, an upside is that you are awarded much more flexibility in deciding which direction you want to go. Other healthcare workers may not have this privilege.
Nurse
Most hospitals and other medical facilities that hire nurses require a BSN, which is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Out of all the career goals, this one gives you the option to not only provide for yourself but also have a flexible schedule. There are many options for continuing education in nursing, including a master’s degree and beyond. You will need to acquire a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become a nurse practitioner, and you can extend further by looking into your Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) options. Nurses have a significant impact on the quality of care and are the employees that spend the most time with their patients. Nursing would be a great career path for someone who can comfort and interact with people but also have the ability to stay disconnected from their emotions at work.
Medical Assistant
You can earn a Medical Assistant certification in months from your local accredited school, and some alternatives include an associate’s degree that may put you higher on a hiring list. Starting with a career that is lower on the totem pole is a great way to ensure your interests are still piqued by healthcare. You certainly don’t want to waste your time and money on an extensive education if you aren’t one hundred percent invested.
Healthcare is different from other fields because there are more strict education requirements. Whereas, in other circumstances, experience can equivocate if not supersede education. While it may be possible for a banker to get a promotion after years on the job, a medical assistant can’t become a nurse based on longevity and knowledge. If it seems as if attending college isn’t as typical of an expectation as it once way, you may be right. But, if you are interested in healthcare, that is not the case. The classifications above help to prove this point.