Start A Degree In The Medical Field And Open New Careers!
Health care is a growing field that many people are interested in entering because of the many types of jobs that are available. In health care, a person can choose a career that deals with patients and doctors or in the administrative venue managing health care systems and the people who work in them. A degree from an online college can help a person enter into the medical field in any one of these areas; but two medical degrees that offer very bright prospects are in respiratory therapy and nursing.
A nursing career has long been one of the most revered jobs in the medical field. Today, rather than just providing bedside care to patients in a hospital setting, there are many types of nursing careers and degrees that are available at online schools. Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners are just a few of the nursing specialties available. Nurse practitioners provide more comprehensive health care to patients, including prescriptions and treatment plans.
In an advanced program, a person can complete an online nursing degree in licensed practical nursing in about eighteen months. Other types of nursing degrees can take two to four years, depending on the number of classes a student wishes to take at any given time. Nurses who already hold degrees but want to attain graduate degrees in nursing can do so in online degree programs that offer master and PhD degrees in specialties like nursing education, nurse administration and nursing management.
In physician's offices, nursing jobs are expected to grow by as much as 48% in the next several years because of the concentration of care being provided by nurses in offices rather than in hospitals. The Department of Labor Statistics shows that median annual salaries for nurses with degrees is a very attractive $63,450; this figure does not include other benefits that may commonly come with the job like signing bonuses, schedule flexibility and child care facilities. Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists are projected to be the nursing jobs that are in the highest demand in the future.
Respiratory therapy is another exciting field in nursing that allows a great deal of patient interaction and care. Online degrees are available in respiratory therapy for people who are interested in working with patients with lung and heart disease or disorders due to genetics or accidents or environmental concerns. Respiratory therapists provide treatment to a wide type of patients, including accident victims, premature babies, and patients in surgery.
Being a respiratory therapist means working with highly advanced medical equipment in hospitals or other care environments to help patients breathe. As the population is aging, more care is being offered to patients in residential treatment centers like nursing homes and in at-home care. Becoming a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) is a two- to four year program, which can be completed at an online college. The National Board for Respiratory Care recognizes accredited online school degree graduates as eligible to sit for the board exam. Upon completion of the CRT, a therapist may also choose to sit for the two exams which must be completed in order to qualify for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) designation.
The large population of aging baby boomers has helped increase the projected job openings for CRTs and RRTs, especially in facilities that specialize in elder care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in the next eight years, respiratory therapy jobs for holders of respiratory therapy degrees from online colleges and traditional colleges are expected to increase by a whopping 21%. The increase of overall jobs is made even more attractive by the median annual salary of $52,200 that respiratory therapists earn.
An online degree in nursing or respiratory care can be the ticket to a high earning job in a challenging and rewarding job caring for people who need your help. Distance education degrees offer a level of flexibility that just isn't available in a traditional school environment. In as little as eighteen months, you may be able to be a valued member of a health care team, giving help and hope to patients who will truly appreciate your dedication to your job.
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