6 Degrees to Consider for a Successful Career in Healthcare

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Did you always have a knack for caring for people around you? Have you always wanted to leave a positive mark on the well-being of other people? If your answer is yes, it’s time to consider pursuing a healthcare career. It will allow you to help and make a difference in people’s lives. Irrespective of your role in the industry, you will be able to nurture your desire to do good for society.

But that’s not all. Pursuing a healthcare career gives you access to many diverse career opportunities within the industry, allowing you to fulfill your long-term career goals. In addition, it prepares you for lucrative salaries, making you financially stable.

Now, you might be wondering how to build a successful healthcare career. Well, the first step is to equip yourself with the proper knowledge and get an in-demand healthcare degree. However, with so many degree options available, it can get challenging to choose the right one. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Here are six degrees you must consider for a thriving career in healthcare. 

1. Public Health

Undeniably, pursuing a public health degree is the most popular choice among individuals, and it’s pretty easy to figure out why. It will offer you a wide range of diverse specializations, allowing you to find one that caters to your interests and preferences. For instance, if you want to make a difference in the lives of industrial workers, you can opt for an industrial hygiene masters degree. On the other hand, you can enroll in an environmental health masters program if you want to focus on how the environment affects an individual’s well-being.

Moreover, the salary prospects are great. According to statistics, professionals in the public health sector can expect a salary from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on their position and location. A degree in public health will equip you with a diverse skillset, allowing you to gain a competitive edge. From communication to leadership to research skills, you will learn it all during the course.

2. Nursing 

Have you always been able to understand and connect with people emotionally? If yes, consider pursuing a nursing degree. It will offer you the freedom to work within different facilities. Even though most individuals choose to work in a hospital to provide patient care after the degree, you can apply your knowledge and skills in various fields:

• Informatics
• Telemetry
• Military
• Rehabilitation centers

Pursuing a nursing degree will offer you a stable financial future. Even though the earning potential can vary due to factors like experience and skills, the annual salary of nurses ranges from $60,000 to $70,000. Above all, pursuing a nursing career can offer a sense of personal fulfillment and achievement as nurses play a significant role in making a difference in their patients’ lives.

3. Healthcare Management 

In today’s world, there’s a constant need to improve medical access and quality. As a result, it has significantly increased the demand for all healthcare workers. However, this doesn’t mean there’s a high demand for doctors and nurses only. In fact, there’s also a growing need for efficient healthcare managers. Therefore, consider pursuing a degree in healthcare management to thrive in the industry.

It will give you access to a wide range of incredible career opportunities. Whether you want to work in a clinic, elder-care facility, or rehabilitation center, a healthcare management degree will open doors to diverse career paths. The degree will also equip you with excellent communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills, allowing you to stand out.

4. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Have you noticed that the pharmacy industry has recently become vital to the global economy? As a result, the demand for skilled experts in the field is drastically increasing, making it the perfect time to pursue a degree in pharmaceutical sciences. The growing need for new medications and regulatory compliance will allow you access to better career opportunities with high job security.

There’s more to it. A degree in pharmaceutical sciences will open doors to diverse career paths. Along with the pharmaceutical industry, you can secure a job in various sectors like research and development, quality control, clinical trials, drug marketing, etc.

Besides that, the degree will give you the golden opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society’s well-being. By researching and formulating medical drugs, you will improve patient care, resulting in a more efficient healthcare system.

5. Healthcare Informatics

In today’s tech-driven healthcare industry, there’s an increasing demand for talented informatics experts. Therefore, leverage the opportunity and pursue a degree in healthcare informatics. It will offer you a variety of promising and lucrative career opportunities.

• Health informatics specialists will work with patient data and records in the healthcare sector. They are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and managing data. These professionals can expect an annual salary of about $60,000 to $65,000.
• A clinical informatics manager oversees patients’ data collection and performance to ensure excellent patient care. Their expected annual salary ranges from $120,000 to $130,000.
• Testing analysts are required to develop and execute tests to identify problems. They also maintain quality standards to ensure an incredible user experience.

Moreover,  pursuing a healthcare informatics degree will also equip you with vital skills to ensure a thriving career in the industry. From analytical thinking skills to communication to computer programming, the degree will equip you with a unique skill set.

6. Occupational Therapy

Are you looking for a degree that allows you to contribute to an individual’s well-being? If yes, enroll in an occupational therapy degree. For starters, it will enable you to pursue a promising career and profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 10-12% growth rate for occupational therapists and just 3% for other occupations. Besides that, the degree will enable you to enjoy lucrative salaries. The average salary of occupational therapists can range from $90,000 to $100,000.

In addition, a degree in occupational therapy will offer you the flexibility to work in multiple settings like healthcare, hospitals, offices, mental health centers, etc. However, it doesn’t just provide flexibility in choosing a workplace setting. It will also enable you to select your preferred specialization from various options like diabetes, autism, brain injuries, school systems, and whatnot.  

Final Thoughts

If you find it challenging to choose the right degree for a successful healthcare career, we hope this article has helped you. After going through all the options and where you can land with each one, you can probably see things more clearly now. Undoubtedly, all these abovementioned degrees will ensure a promising and rewarding career in the industry. However, consider your interests and financial goals to pick the one that’s right for you.