It takes a special person to serve in the military. It’s an industry for leaders. For the strong-minded. For those with the resolve to sacrifice their safety and wellbeing for the good of their country. Those same traits that make for great military personnel – tenacity and steadfast determination – can also help translate to rewarding lucrative careers outside of the Armed Forces.
Healthcare, for example, is considered one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many healthcare organizations understand the valuable attributes and experience veterans can bring to the industry.
Service members aren’t typically strangers to face-paced, high-stress environments. Those who served as medical personnel can have an especially helpful perspective. Depending on time served, military medical workers will have seen hundreds or thousands of patients with all manners of infirmities and ailments.
That type of knowledge and proficiency can lead to tremendous opportunities in many areas of healthcare, particularly:
Chiropractic Care – With a 16.0% job growth rate anticipated through 2024 and a median pay of $67,520 a year, veterans who are willing to return to school could be especially qualified for chiropractic work. It’s a specialty position that involves treating neuromusculoskeletal systems to improve patient health.
Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists – Athletic trainers help treat and prevent bone and muscle injuries in patients, while exercise physiologists develop fitness routines to aid patients with injury recovery. These fields have an estimated 21.2% job growth rate through 2024, and at the entry level, they require only a bachelor’s degree.
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Registered Nurses – Like trainers and exercise physiologists, this field has an anticipated job growth rate of 16% through 2024, with a median pay – $68,450 – comparable to chiropractic work. It requires an associate’s degree along with state licensing, though an RN to BSN is typically recommended. Working as a registered nurse generally involves working with doctors to provide direct patient care.
Physical Therapists – Professionals in this field help patients recover from injury by facilitating rehabilitation of movement. According to the BLS, its job growth rate is estimated at an astounding 36%, but a doctoral degree is typically required. Veterans who qualify can return to school under the GI Bill® to acquire the credentials for this field.
Physician Assistants – This field is slightly more accessible than physical therapy, requiring a master’s degree and state licensing for entry level positions. It tops this list with an anticipated growth of 34% through 2022 and a median pay of $85,400. Ex-military personnel who pursue this position would be working under the supervision of a physician to examine, diagnose and provide treatment to patients.
Military and civilian healthcare professionals face many of the same day-to-day challenges, which typically makes the transition for healthcare-focused servicemembers easier. Most medical verbiage, protocols and procedures are also the same. The only major challenge is relearning job titles and new policy names, and ex-military professionals can use the Transition Assistance Program to help overcome this obstacle.
The VA also provides several resources for veterans seeking jobs in healthcare, including applications and forms for positions such as nurses, physicians, dentists, optometrists and chiropractors, among others. Job seekers can learn more about potential careers here.
