Healthcare is by far one of the top thriving fields today. So much, in fact, that experts predict healthcare will quickly become the largest employment sector of the United States economy. Within a decade, over 2.3 million jobs will become available to active job seekers who have a healthcare education under their belts. And with over 5,000 registered hospitals across the country and over 18 million workers already in the field, there is no doubt that healthcare is of the most secure and promising career choices today.

The benefits of a career in healthcare are aplenty. If you are looking for a career that is both personally and financially satisfying, entering the medical field may be the right move for you. In healthcare, your day-to-day will be focused around helping others. You will work with people, both independently and on a team, and will have great flexibility no matter the type of career you pursue. Not to mention, the range of job opportunities available in healthcare are truly abundant – there are no limits to what you can do in this field.

To land a job in this ever-growing field, however, an education in healthcare is key. We know – as exciting as it is, just the thought of med school can be intimidating. That is why at Goodwin College, many of our healthcare degree programs can be taken at an accelerated pace! Why wait?

More than ever, now is the time to pursue a healthcare education. Here are seven reasons why:

1. Job security –

The healthcare job market is booming, largely because the need for medical care is so great. As the baby boomer population ages and more Americans have access to healthcare, the demand for trained professionals steadily grows. And it persists.

If you are looking for a long-term career choice, healthcare can offer exactly that. In fact, healthcare is the only major industry category that saw uninterrupted growth through the recent Recession. This is because the need for medical care never truly dissipates. People are continuously getting older, falling ill, breaking bones – and they need qualified healthcare professionals to help.

2. Flexibility in the schedules –

Healthcare isn’t a nine to five profession. It is needed on all days of the week, all hours of the day, in all types of environments. Hospitals and emergency clinics, for example, are open 24 hours a day. What does this mean for you, as an aspiring healthcare professional? It means that there is the opportunity to create a work schedule that actually works for you. You can work evenings and nights, mornings, and/or weekends, depending on both yours and your employer’s needs.

As a leader in healthcare education in Connecticut, Goodwin College has found a way to incorporate this type of flexibility into our students’ coursework as well. Here, you have the option to take day or evening classes, on-campus or online courses, and even hybrid or accelerated curricula, such as through our accelerated nursing program.

3. There are many career options within the field itself –

Healthcare, generally speaking, is a field in which you care for people and encourage the health and wellbeing of others. But there are many niches and specialties within the field. There are thousands of different positions and titles you can assume. There are hundreds of varying workplaces to consider.

At Goodwin College, we offer a range of different programs that fall under healthcare education. For example, one interested in dentistry may consider our dental hygienist school. Or, if nursing is your calling, you may consider enrolling in one of the many degree programs at our accredited nursing school. Other fields you may pursue at Goodwin include:

• Health Science (Associate and Bachelor’s Degree)
• Histologic Science (Certificate and Associate Degree)
• Medical Assisting (Certificate and Associate Degree)
• Medical Billing and Coding (Certificate)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant (Associate Degree)
• Ophthalmic Science (Associate Degree)
• Phlebotomy (Certificate)
• Respiratory Care (Associate Degree)

4. Salary and Benefits –

On the whole, healthcare careers often pay off financially as well as mentally. In May 2015, the median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (such as registered nurses, physicians, and dental hygienists) was over $62,000 – much higher than the median annual wage of all other occupations.

Like any field, however, salary goes hand-in-hand with education and training. A highly trained professional with a postsecondary healthcare education or degree will encounter higher paying positions. Typically in the healthcare industry, workers also receive great coverage and benefits.

5. A rewarding career –

Healthcare is all about helping others. In this field, you can work directly with patients on the day-to-day (as a nurse does) or do more independent work that ultimately benefits the greater good (as in public health careers). No matter what path you choose, your job duties will have a direct impact on the health and the lives of your clients, which in turn, is rewarding.

6. There is always room to grow –

Whether you are in medical assisting or billing and coding, there is always room to advance in the healthcare field. This is because technology, equipment, and health conditions are consistently evolving. Qualified professionals holding a postsecondary degree are needed to fulfill new and forward-thinking roles. Those who are willing to train and to challenge themselves are the ones who are most likely to move up in the industry.

There are also many ways to grow an individual’s healthcare education. The industry and coinciding research is consistently progressing, and individuals in this field can always progress. Learning should not stop with an Associate or Bachelor’s degree. Within the healthcare field, there are many areas of studies you can pursue to achieve a well-rounded knowledge base.

7. Comprehensive training is always available –

Fortunately, for those looking to advance in a healthcare career, there is always learning to do. At Goodwin, our coursework is designed for aspiring medical professionals as well as seasoned ones, because we understand that there is always more knowledge to be gained – inside and outside the classroom.

Goodwin College works with multiple hospitals, health centers, and clinics all over Connecticut in efforts to always give our students a hands-on learning experience. Here, we believe that healthcare professionals become the best by doing.

Learn about the many healthcare degrees at Goodwin College and start your healthcare education today by calling 800-889-3282.