Since COVID-19, the U.S. healthcare industry has undergone a revolution. Healthcare has become an important sector of our economy and is projected to grow at 12 percent annually for the next five years. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities in this area. If you have a degree in health care, your chances of getting hired are high. You can work as a physician, nurse, or hospital administrator. Today, many students also opt to get their master’s degrees in nursing to obtain better jobs with higher salaries.
The demand for qualified physicians is very high in the U.S. Patients seeking medical attention have increased significantly due to lifestyle changes. More people live sedentary lives than ever before, which causes many chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. As more people become sick, physicians will need to treat them.
There are over 20 million nurses in the United States. With healthcare reform policies being implemented across the country, the need for skilled nurses is increasing rapidly. Even if you don’t want to go into nursing, a degree in this field opens up a lot of other career options. You can apply your knowledge in hospitals, doctor’s offices, long-term care facilities, and so on. Whether you go for a Master of public health online or another healthcare degree, you’ll find a lot of career opportunities awaiting you. Here are twelve reasons why healthcare is a popular degree today
1) Job Security
Since the 2008 recession, the U.S. economy has been struggling. Jobs have been lost, and companies have shut down. However, one sector that has continued to expand throughout the current economic crisis is the healthcare industry. There are currently over 14 million job openings in this industry alone. Therefore, graduates of healthcare programs will always have employment opportunities.
2) Better Paying Jobs
As mentioned above, the U.S. healthcare industry is projected to grow by 12 percent each year for the next five years. This means that plenty of new positions will be created and existing ones filled. More people will require treatment for chronic diseases, and they’re going to need doctors and nurses who can provide those services. Doctors are paid well, but even registered nurses earn a median salary of $51k per year, according to Salary.com.
3) Demand for Nurses
In the past few years, the demand for nurses has grown exponentially. This demand is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Since these professionals are needed everywhere, there won’t be any shortages. Even if the population increases, there will still be a demand for nurses because of the aging baby boomer generation.
4) Great Career Opportunities
If you choose to pursue a career in healthcare, you can expect lots of great job opportunities. Some of the most popular fields include physician assistant, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and pharmacist. Many of these jobs are highly respected and well-compensated. Thus, it’s not surprising why so many people choose this path.
5) Medical Care Is Expanding
Over the last decade, the healthcare industry has expanded to cover many specialties. For example, more psychologists and psychiatrists are now practicing than ever before. This is because new types of therapy have been developed, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. There has also been a rise in nutritionists and dieticians because of the obesity epidemic plaguing America.
6) New Regulations
With healthcare reforms, there will be more regulations governing how health insurance works. This is especially true for Medicare and Medicaid. These new regulations should make it easier for Americans to access quality health care. As a result, the number of patients looking for help from doctors should increase.
7) Easy Access to Health Care
The current health reform policies make it easier for millions of people to afford medical treatments. One of the biggest benefits of healthcare reform is the expansion of Medicaid. It has allowed millions of previously uninsured people to receive affordable medical care. As a direct consequence, more people will see doctors and undergo surgeries.
8) No Need to Go Abroad
It was difficult for Americans to travel overseas for medical treatment until recently. They had to pay exorbitant fees, but they often had to wait several months to receive treatment. Even when they finally received surgery, the results weren’t guaranteed. Fortunately, those days are gone. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more Americans have access to quality medical care.
9) Medical Advances
One of the advantages of modern medicine is the ability to perform complex surgeries. This includes open heart surgery, artificial limbs, organ transplants, and more. Obtaining a degree in healthcare means you’ll be able to administer these operations. It used to be impossible to do these procedures, but it is possible today with the development of new technology.
10) Rising Insurance Premiums
In the past few years, the cost of health insurance premiums has increased dramatically. When the federal government decided to make it mandatory for all citizens to purchase health insurance, the rates skyrocketed. This is mainly because the costs associated with providing coverage were underestimated. The situation will get worse in the future. That’s why some people are choosing to invest in a healthcare degree.
11) Online Courses
Due to budget cuts, many schools have had to close down. However, students don’t need to worry about losing access to high-quality education because they can take online courses. Many colleges are starting to offer online degrees in addition to traditional ones. This enables working adults to earn a college degree without quitting their job.
12) Future Growth
The healthcare industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an additional 2.3 million new jobs will be created in this field by 2026. The average annual salary for these new positions will be over $62,000, twice what the average American earns. If you want to work in the fastest-growing economy segment, this could be your opportunity.
As you can see, there are many good reasons to consider becoming a doctor or other type of healthcare professional. All you need is the proper training and experience. With that said, it’s essential to understand that this isn’t easy. You’ll spend many years learning and treating patients. So, if you’re not prepared for hard work, this might not be the best option.
