Healthcare is one of today’s most promising occupational fields, offering strong job growth, exciting technological advances and a wide array of job opportunities. An aging U.S. population means a strong demand for healthcare workers. In fact, employment in healthcare is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to grow by 29% through 2020 – much faster than the average occupation.
With so many choices, you may be wondering which healthcare degree is best for you. Why not begin your career planning by taking a look at six popular healthcare degrees for 2013?
BSN Degree
Registered nurses are in especially high demand across the country, with 26% job growth projected. As the medical field becomes more technically advanced, employers will seek well-educated and qualified RNs, and increasingly will require candidates to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
The BSN degree generally takes four years to complete. However, for professional RNs who hold associate’s degrees, an RN to BSN degree program can often be completed in one to two years, depending on the requirements and part-time or full-time status.
Coursework required for BSN degree programs typically covers the sciences, mathematics and technology related to nursing, along with liberal arts, humanities and psychology.
With a BSN, a wider variety of career choices will be available, including ICU RN, clinical nurse manager, neonatal nurse or orthopedic nurse. Plus, most nursing leadership positions require at least a BSN degree. Salaries vary according to the position’s responsibilities as well as the geographic region and employer, but RNs bring home higher than average salaries. According to the BLS, registered nurses earn a median salary of approximately $65,000.
MSN Degree
With a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN), RNs can move into advanced practice, management and educational positions in hospitals, healthcare centers and long-term care facilities. Employers are requiring RNs in high-skill positions to have updated technical knowledge, which can be obtained through an MSN program, where students are exposed to a high-level curriculum.
An MSN degree can take 18 to 24 months to complete, and goes more in-depth into the theory behind nursing, along with the legal and financial aspects of the field. Courses on research and leadership are usually part of the mix, as well.
With an MSN, you’ll be qualified to pursue specialty positions, including nurse practitioner, supervisory positions such as head of nursing or chief nursing officer, and a variety of nurse educator positions.
According to BLS data, median salaries for jobs requiring an MSN range from $64,850 for nursing instructors to $89,960 for nurse practitioners and $148,160 for nurse anesthetists. Some employers offer incentives and bonuses for earning an MSN degree.
Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
As the population ages, occupational therapists are expected to be in high demand. These healthcare professionals work with people who need help maintaining their independence or dealing with disabilities and other conditions that limit mobility.
Occupational therapist positions require a master’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution; these programs usually take about two years to complete. Coursework covers anatomy and physiology, the sciences and gerontology. In addition, clinical practice is included in the curriculum.
The BLS projects a 33% increase in employment through 2020 for occupational therapists, who earned a median salary of $75,400.
Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of healthcare’s fastest-growing fields, with 39% job growth projected by the BLS through 2020. As the baby boom generation ages, more people will need physical therapy to recover from surgery, heart attacks and strokes, and sports-related injuries.
To become a physical therapist, you’ll need at least a master’s degree in physical therapy. These programs usually take about two years to complete, and include courses in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and neuroscience, along with clinical practice. Physical therapy programs will be required to offer the doctorate in physical therapy degree by 2015, and a transitional degree program is offered for those who already have master’s degrees.
A nationwide BLS survey in 2012 showed physical therapists earned a median salary of $79,860.
Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Billing
With 21% job growth projected by the BLS, medical billing specialists should enjoy strong demand for their expertise. The growing need for medical services will result in more insurance billing and reimbursement processing for healthcare providers.
The best career opportunities, along with the chance to pursue supervisory positions, will likely go to medical billing professionals with advanced educations, such as a bachelor’s degree in medical billing. This degree program includes courses in math and science, as well as specialty instruction in medical terminology, billing and coding.
According to the BLS, medical records technicians (the category that includes medical billing specialists) earn a median salary of about $34,000. However, advanced or supervisory medical billing positions that require a bachelor’s degree will generally pay more than those that require a certificate or associate’s degree.
Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration
A master’s degree in healthcare administration can open doors to a variety of leadership positions with hospitals, healthcare systems and public health organizations. Jobs in this field should increase by 22% through 2020, according to the BLS.
A master’s degree in healthcare administration program is designed to provide the well-rounded knowledge and skills required to plan and administer the delivery of healthcare in various settings. Coursework includes law and ethics, human resources administration, hospital organization, accounting and strategic planning, and the graduate program can last two to three years.
Job opportunities for master’s degree holders include long-term care facility administrator, clinical manager, hospital administrator or health information manager. Salaries vary according to experience and responsibilities, but the BLS reported in 2012 that the median salary of medical and health services managers was $88,580.
