Growth and Security in the Healthcare Field

If you're looking for a well-paying career that promises growth and security for decades to come, the healthcare field is your ticket. by Angela Bagaoisan

Consider that between 2002 and 2010, the U.S. will need 561,000 more registered nurses (RNs) and 145,000 more health therapists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The only professions that will add more workers are teachers (711,000) and sortware engineers (664,000). The difference is, while there is an increase in the numbers of people training to be teachers and software engineers, the number of nurses in training has remained flat.

The result? A continual increase in pay. Few people know that some RNs (e.g. chief nurse anesthetists) make a median income of $137,341. In the big cities, that can go upwards of $150,000 for some of the higher-paying nursing specialties.

The fortunes of the healthcare field are tied to the continuing increase in the median age of the U.S. population. As Americans live longer, more people need healthcare. Add to that the fact that the number of people entering nursing and other healthcare professions aren’t growing. Most hospitals are currently operating with a shortage of nurses. These are conditions for both rising salaries and excellent job security.

The fortunes of the healthcare field are tied to the continuing increase in the median age of the U.S. population. As Americans live longer, more people need healthcare. Add to that the fact that the number of people entering nursing and other healthcare professions aren’t growing. Most hospitals are currently operating with a shortage of nurses. These are conditions for both rising salaries and excellent job security.