Thursday, April 21, 2011

Top Seven Healthcare Careers to Consider Entering

1. Audiology: Audiology professionals help people who have ear defects, diseases and injuries that lead to hearing loss, balance problems and related difficulties. Earning a bachelor’s degree in this field can qualify you as an audiology technician, while becoming an audiologist requires a Master's Degree in Audiology or doctorate.

Average Annual Salary, Audiologist: $40,360 - $98,880*

2. Nursing: Registered nurses (RNs) perform the bulk of day-to-day nursing duties, from evaluating patients to providing front-line care. To become an RN you must earn at least an associate’s degree in nursing and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Those who plan to elevate their careers into administration or advanced nursing practice often complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Average Annual Salary, Registered Nurse: $43,410 - $92,240*

3. Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapists help patients with injuries, diseases or age-related problems recover or improve their everyday living and working abilities. A Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy is required to practice this profession.

Average Annual Salary, Occupational Therapist: $42,820 - $98,310*

4. Pharmacy: There are two levels of pharmacy work: pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians typically earn pharmacy certificates or associate’s degrees in pharmacy. If you want to become a pharmacist, you will need to first earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field – such as biology or chemistry – and then complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program.

Average Annual Salary, Pharmacist: $77,390 - $131,440*

5. Physical Therapy: Like occupational therapists, physical therapists treat patients with injuries, diseases or age-related problems. Their goal is usually to help those patients recover normal or close-to-normal use of a damaged physical ability. A Master of Science (MS) in Physical Therapy is required to practice this profession.

Average Annual Salary, Physical Therapist: $50,350 - $104,350*

6. Physician Assistant: Physician assistants (PAs) provide diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic healthcare services as delegated by a medical doctor (MD). They are sometimes the principal care providers in small rural or inner-city clinics where the availability of MDs is limited. PA programs typically take at least two years to complete and require previous healthcare experience, a college degree, or both to enroll.

Average Annual Salary, Physician Assistant: $51,360 - $110,240*

7. Radiologic Technology: Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The education requirements can be met at the certificate, associate's degree or bachelor’s degree level; those with Radiologic Technologist Associate's Degree or higher typically have access to better positions and higher salaries.

Average Annual Salary, Radiologic Technologist: $35,100 - $74,970*

*All salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition

Monday, April 4, 2011

Receent Articles on In-Demand Degrees and Top Paying Careers

If you are in the process of picking a major, starting a new job or considering a next career. U.S News University Directory has recently published several new articles that can help individuals identify in-demand and top-paying fields that  have projected growth well into the future.

Research top careers and degree programs
Training Times & Starting Salaries for 6 Top Jobs
It could take mere months or it could take many years to achieve your dream job, but whether you're starting out in an entry-level position or setting your sights on higher-levels of the ladder, you can expect to undergo some amount of training.

The Highs and Lows: Choosing a Degree That Pays You Back
5 majors that will get you ahead and 5 that could leave you in major debt

How to Pick the Best College for You (and Your Wallet)
Students applying to college and for financial aid are being hit with a double whammy right now: Acceptance letters and financial aid packages. Here's some advice on how to handle it.

No-GMAT MBA Programs and No-GRE Master’s Degree Programs Gaining Popularity
Examination of  the increasing interest in no-GMAT MBAs and no-GRE master’s degrees, especially among working adults.

Take Advantage of Lower-Cost Education Options
Explore five careers you can enter by completing relatively inexpensive accredited associate's degrees and certificate programs