Healthcare Careers Research
Directions: Select a healthcare career of your choice from the examples provided below. You will then use that career to research the following information. You will examine the careers based on where you see yourself in the future as well as the facts that you will learn from your research. The goal of this research is to begin planning towards your future; It is closer than you think. Your explorations should include the following topics and will be contained in a written format to be turned in.
Career Name
History of the profession chosen (one paragraph)
Job description of selected career
Typical work environment(s)
Typical weekly/daily work hours for your career
How many years of education is required
Diploma/Degrees required (possible multiples)
Colleges/Universities that offer this career (minimum 3)
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen (including out of state)
Entry, median, and maximum level salary
For your career, list 3 job postings (with salaries) that you can be employed
Websites: www.bls.gov, www.careeronestop.org, www.explorehealthcareers.org, www.medicaljobs.org, (another site must be approved first). You will need to go to professional organizational sites as well as sites for higher education institutions such as www.uab.edu, www.ua.edu, or www.samford.edu. The project should include pictures that properly illustrate the profession and especially show the parts of the career that make it interesting to you the most. A cover/title sheet is required - a sample has been provided below for you to copy/paste. Effort and professionalism will affect your grade. If you wish to research a career not listed on the document, check with your instructor for approval before continuing.
***Extra credit will be considered for those that reach out to a college/university to begin networking, gather information, or scheduling an on campus visit.
Athletic Trainer
Audiologists
Chiropractors
Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Dentist
Dietician & Nutritionist
EMT and Paramedics
Exercise Physiologist
Forensic Science Technician
Massage Therapist
Medical Assistant
Medical Coding
Nurse (RN/LPN)
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aid
Occupational Therapist/Assistant
Optometrist
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Nurse Anesthetist
Pharmacist/Pharmacy technician
Phlebotomists
Physical Therapy Technician
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist
Physician Assistant
Physicians (surgical/non-surgical)
Podiatrists
Psychologist
Psychiatrists
Radiologic and MRI Technologist
Recreational Therapists
Respiratory Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Sociologist
Surgical Assistant/Technologists
Veterinarian Assistants
Veterinarians
OTHER (non-medical)
Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Coach/Scout
Umpire/Referee
Career Name: Nurse (RN/LPN)
History of the profession chosen: Nursing as a profession dates back to ancient times, with evidence of nursing care being provided in the cultures of ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and India. However, the modern nursing profession began to take shape in the 19th century, with the pioneering work of influential figures such as Florence Nightingale. Nightingale's efforts during the Crimean War and her establishment of nursing schools laid the foundation for professional nursing practices. Since then, nursing has evolved to become a highly respected and essential healthcare profession.
Job description of selected career: Nurses, whether Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), play a crucial role in providing patient care and support. They assist in assessing patients' conditions, administering medications, performing medical procedures, monitoring vital signs, collaborating with healthcare teams, educating patients and their families, and providing emotional support. RNs have a broader scope of practice and can perform more complex tasks compared to LPNs, who work under the supervision of RNs or physicians.
Typical work environment(s): Nurses can work in various environments, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, physician's offices, schools, community health centers, and home healthcare settings. They may also work in specialized areas such as critical care, labor and delivery, pediatrics, psychiatric care, and emergency departments.
Typical weekly/daily work hours for your career: Nurses typically work full-time, which usually means 36 to 40 hours per week. However, they may also work part-time, evenings, nights, weekends, and even holidays, as healthcare services are needed around the clock.
How many years of education is required: The educational requirements for becoming a nurse vary depending on the chosen path. To become an LPN, usually a diploma or certificate program is required, which can take about 1 year to complete. On the other hand, becoming an RN requires either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes about 2-3 years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes 4 years. Some nurses also choose to pursue advanced degrees such as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for specialization or leadership roles.
Diploma/Degrees required (possible multiples): For LPNs, a diploma or certificate is typically required. For RNs, an ADN or BSN is required. Advanced degrees such as MSN or DNP can be pursued for further specialization or advanced practice roles.
Colleges/Universities that offer this career (minimum 3): Some colleges/universities that offer nursing programs include:
1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. University of Pennsylvania
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen (including out of state): Tuition costs for nursing programs can vary widely depending on the institution, location, and program level. Here are the approximate tuition costs for the mentioned institutions:
1. UCLA: In-state tuition - $13,240 per year, Out-of-state tuition - $42,994 per year
2. Johns Hopkins University: Tuition and fees - $56,880 per year
3. University of Pennsylvania: Tuition and fees - $60,042 per year
Entry, median, and maximum level salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the entry-level salary for registered nurses is around $50,000 per year. The median annual wage is about $73,000, while the maximum-level salary can exceed $111,000 per year, depending on factors such as experience, specialization, and location.
Three job postings (with salaries) that you can be employed:
1. Registered Nurse at a hospital in New York City, NY - Salary range: $65,000-$95,000 per year
2. Licensed Practical Nurse at a long-term care facility in Los Angeles, CA - Salary range: $40,000-$55,000 per year
3. Nurse Case Manager at a healthcare organization in Chicago, IL - Salary range: $70,000-$90,000 per year
Note: The specific salary ranges may vary based on factors such as location, organization, experience, and education level. It is recommended to refer to job postings and salary surveys for accurate and up-to-date information.