With the healthcare industry continuing to grow, there are many career paths in the areas of patient care and nursing. Consequently, there are online healthcare programs available, making a career in this rewarding industry more accessible than ever.
Becoming a nurse takes a commitment to caring for others, as well as the completion of a nursing education program. In addition to traditional campus programs, there are many colleges that offer nursing online. Once you choose your area of focus in nursing, whether it’s nursing assisting or nursing, it’s important to decide which format works best for your needs. Online nursing courses and online nursing degrees offer the convenience of building a flexible schedule. If considering an online format, remember that success in online nurse training classes requires self-discipline.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a few ways to launch your nursing career. In some instances, employers require a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN). A BSN typically takes four years and requires a broad scope of coursework in everything from microbiology and anatomy to psychology and more. In many instances, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma from an approved nursing program, which are shorter programs, will suffice. Education aside, all professional nurses must be licensed in their state of employment.
Once you’ve put in the hard work and earn your education credentials, the real excitement begins. Daily, nursing professionals have the ability to change patients’ lives, making their work indispensable and rewarding.
As illustrated in reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing careers offer a spectrum of earning potential. For instance, those working as registered nurses made approximately $70,000 last year. Nursing assistants and orderlies, on the other hand, earned a median salary of $27,510 in 2017. Potential to earn is based on a few factors, such as education, work experience, and employer resources.
Between 2016-2026, the Bureau projects a 15-percent increase in the employment of registered nurses, while the outlook for nursing assistants and orderlies is a respectable 11 percent, both of which are above the national employment average.
If nursing doesn’t speak to you, but you are interested in the healthcare industry, there are lots of career opportunities to explore. Work as an x-ray technician, patient care technician, and ultrasound technician are just a few careers in the area of patient care.
Like nursing, the Bureau projects that healthcare occupations will grow 18 percent by 2026. Reflecting this growing demand, healthcare degrees online are readily available, and students have many programs to consider.
Depending on your preferences and personal strengths, you’re certain to find a good fit in patient care. Ultrasound and x-ray technicians, for instance, enjoy interfacing with patients while individuals with a bachelor’s degree in phlebotomy may harness more technical skills and work behind the scenes.
With annual incomes varying in accordance with career paths, the patient care industry allows graduates to earn a living while helping others. The below statistics illustrate this spectrum.
* X-ray Technician (Radiologic and MRI Technologists)- $60,070
* Phlebotomist – $33,670