In Face of Recession, Health Care Fields Continue to See Strong DemandThe U.S. lost over 650,000 jobs in February alone, but the health care industry added 27,000. On average, health care added 30,000 positions per month for the year 2008, making a health care degree seemingly recession-proof.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the industry will create 3 million new jobs over the next 10 years, in part driven by an expanding elderly population.
Physical therapists and occupational therapists will be in very high demand, while the traditional roles of nurses and physicians' assistants will also continue to grow.
A physical therapist must have a master's degree and license, while an occupational therapist needs a bachelor's degree and license. Strong industry demand, coupled with a shortage of qualified personnel, mean the holder of a nursing degree is in an excellent position for employment for the foreseeable future. Educational requirements range from a master's degree to an associate's degree, depending on the type of work the prospective nurse desires.
High school graduates can become qualified nursing assistants by receiving a nursing certificate. CNA candidates need to enroll in and complete a medical terminology course to learn terms and to understand medical charts.
Radiologists, medical technologist, and pharmacy degree holders will also continue to be in high demand.
