The healthcare field is expected to grow by 19 percent during the ten years between 2014 and 2024. Because of this much faster than average expected growth in health care jobs, now is a great time to earn a degree. There are many different types of jobs in health care, from nurses and doctors to hospital administrators.

Healthcare Administrators

Healthcare administrators are responsible for the management of skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, in-patient therapy and recovery centers and hospitals. They handle the business aspects and coordination of care for all of the patients as well as the human relations for all of the medical staff. The required degree to become a hospital administrator is a master’s in health care administration.

Earn a Degree in Nursing

Learning about the medical field in the classroom is a great way to increase your knowledge. If you want to become a nurse, you could take one of many online master’s in nursing programs or other fields you have interest in. These programs allow you to earn academic credits from the convenience of home. As you earn the credits, you will gain the knowledge that you need in order to gain licensure and begin working as a clinical nurse. Earning a master’s degree allows you to perform advanced nursing techniques or even to become a nurse practitioner.

Infection Control Practitioners

Infection control practitioners are responsible for minimizing the presence of germs in the hospital so that people do not acquire an infection while they are hospitalized for another reason. Infection control practitioners are nurses with additional training in epidemiology and public health. Most of these individuals will have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in public health.

Medical Doctors

Medical doctors can either earn a doctor of medicine degree (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree. An MD program usually takes four years to complete, and then the graduate must take a licensure examination. Physicians then perform a residency. Doctors who want to practice in a specialty such as cardiology or obstetrics take additional years of training and education. A DO program leads to practice as a general physician in internal medicine, geriatrics or pediatrics. After graduation and licensure, the doctor completes a two to six year training residency.

Earning a degree in the health care field will provide you with the opportunity to enjoy a professionally and personally rewarding career. The high demand for well-educated nurses, physicians and administrators also means that you should enjoy a good salary and the flexibility to choose a job that suits your needs.