Jobs are still out there in hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes, labs, home health care companies, and many other facilities. No matter how bad our financial situation gets, we still need the help of doctors, nurses, and other professionals in the health care field, and that translates to stable, growing employment opportunities.
Health care and social services related to it have accounted for four out of every ten new jobs in the past several years, and this sector shows no sign of slowing down. That means that jobs in nursing and jobs in actuarial science for health organizations are both great choices for people who want a new career. Being an actuary in health may not be the first thing you think about when you consider a career change, but it could be the smartest choice you have ever made.
The US Department of Labor is projecting that the number of new health care jobs will increase by more than thirty percent between now and the year 2014 - around five million! Careers in health care are in one of the healthiest fields there is, no matter how bad the economy may seem.
It might seem hard to find positive news about the state of the job market these days, but health care is offering it when even the electronics industry is cutting down on the number of employees to save money. That means you should look at this high demand field to find out what your options really are.
When you think of jobs in the health care industry, you probably think of stability and good pay. However, you may also think of stressful working conditions, middle of the night calls, unusual scheduling, and long-work weeks. That is true for some positions, but it is not the case for all of them. There are different types of professional health care positions that do not have these downsides. You could be in this stable, secure industry without having to work that sixty-hour week or deal with a high stress situation. You will get the best of both worlds.
For instance, while doctors and surgeons are often up at all hours, dealing with emergencies, dentists, and chiropractors work a regular nine to five job with stable hours and a standard-work week. While some work on weekends and in the evenings for emergency support, or to accommodate patient schedules, work rarely top forty hours, making these positions a great alternative to becoming a doctor.
Pharmacist is another area that most people do not think about when they are considering health care positions. However, pharmacy jobs are stable and in demand. Like chiropractors and dentists, the average pharmacist puts in forty hours, regardless of whether they work at a private practice or a chain store.
For those who want a position that requires more schooling than nursing, but less than being a full-fledged doctor, a physician's assistant job may be a good choice. Most of these people work regular doctor's office hours, and even hospital rotations are easier than the ones worked by doctors. People in these positions receive more benefits than other health care positions.
Health care actuaries also work regular office hours, using their mathematical and prediction skills to help insurance agencies and other organizations determine and minimize risk. If you have ever looked at your health insurance premium, it was determined by an actuary, based on how likely you are to file a claim. This kind of position takes schooling and some real mathematical skill, but it is a great job for anyone who is suited to it.
Of course, there are nursing jobs. They may be less glamorous than other positions, but they are always in demand and need less schooling. Our health care system would not work without nurses and nursing assistants! If you have ever been ill or in a hospital, you are aware of how much nurses do for us.
The health care sector is a great place to look for your next job or start a new career. Even under the worst economic conditions, everyone needs health care. That means we will always need doctors, nurses, assistants, and specialty practitioners. These extremely stable jobs are in demand and the field keeps growing, so now's the time to check out all your options and see if you are right for one of these positions. It could open up an entirely new set of opportunities, even in an uncertain economic climate. Health care jobs are the way to go.
