What are the in demand careers in healthcare?

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Hello,

I have been following this forum for some time now. I was interested in Nursing but I read a lot of bad and good things about the profession. I started to think about other avenues.. perhaps Physical Therapy Tech etc.. better hours and less stress than being a nurse. Thank you in advance for any ideas or advice. I also travel with my sig other's work, so finding something interesting to learn online would be ideal and prepare me for when we settle in one place.

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Respiratory therapy, rad tech, psych aide, medical assistant, home health aide, dental assistant, dental lab tech, surg tech...

I would still consider nursing. The opportunities are endless, and here are so many things you can do with an RN license :)

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Sonography techs. Ultrasound ain't just for babies anymore. Honestly, though, I haven't personally seen of any openings for one. I just know people are using it more and more and a nearby community college has developed a training program just for them.

Occupational therapy seems to be another biggie now as are OT assistants. PT assistants do well financially here (better than nurses), but I don't see openings for them as much. SLPs are another venue. The spike in old people and funded rehab supports therapists. Respiratory therapists don't seem to have trouble finding jobs.

I think if you're into dental hygience you can write your ticket.

It's all going to be regional though.

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Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapists are still in demand and were smart to advance their education requirements for more reimbursement recognition. But, a Masters degree is usually required and doctorate now preferred.

Physical and Occupational Therapy Assistants are not that much in demand since they require only a two year degree and there are more applicants than jobs. However, it you get a job it is a great gig while you are finishing the 4 - 5 additional years of college for a Masters or Doctorate to be a Therapist.

Radiology is good if you advance to one of the specialties.

Respiratory Therapy seems to be in a holding pattern as they are awaiting additional legislation for reimbursement in their profession and contemplating the 4 year degree for entry level in the next decade.

Dental Hygienist is also an excellent career choice right now and despite the low education requirements, there aren't that many schools flooding the market.

Surgical techs don't seem to be in demand and openings are rare for the places that do use them.

If you want a profession with essentially low education requirements for entry, decent pay and mobility, nursing is probably still the best choice.

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Thank you so much for all the great responses, I knew I could count on this forum. The emphasis is still on Nursing and perhaps some of the other suggestions, with that said I would like to learn online and I have very minimal to no college. We travel a lot but are parked for weeks at a time and have a connection %99 of the time. My wish is to get out of the way some of the pre reqs. Does anyone know of a online school that would offer this, a good one anyways? I could start with LPN and work towards a ASN, I understand that clinicals would be involved at some point but thats a long way off for me.

In other words, if you were me, starting college, near age 40 with time on your hands, where would you start?

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