Career Advice

As you just may have heard, our nation has been in a bit of an economic crisis over the past few years, and it hasn't exactly helped the overall job outlook. Many companies have been struggling to stay afloat and have had to cut jobs, if not shut down completely. The industry of health care, however, has seen no such slashing of jobs, comparatively. On the contrary, this industry is actually in need of more personnel than it has at its disposal.

Why is this, you might ask? The fact that our nation in general is experiencing an economic recession doesn't change the inevitability that people will get sick, experience various health issues, and need help from trained professionals. Additionally, the United States' baby boom generation is reaching old age and in need of increased medical support.

While there are many health care professions that have an excellent job outlook for the future, here are the top six, according to a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. Registered Nurses

Projected growth from 2008 to 2018: 581,500 jobs

What they do: Assess, plan, treat and evaluate care of sick and injured patients

What they need: A bachelor's degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program

What they earn: $71,692 per year*

2. Home Health Aides

Projected growth from 2008 to 2018: 460,900 jobs

What they do: Work with patients in need on long-term health attention, staying alongside those patients in their homes

What they need: Often times, only a high school diploma

What they earn: $28,173 per year*

3. Nursing Aides, Orderlies and Attendants

Projected growth from 2008 to 2018: 276,000 jobs

What they do: Perform basic duties for patients, such as feeding, bathing, dressing and grooming, under the direction of nursing staff

What they need: An approved Nursing Assistant Certification

What they earn: $31,943 per year*

4. Medical Assistants

Projected growth from 2008 to 2018: 163,900 jobs

What they do: Keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists and other health practitioners running smoothly by performing administrative and clinical duties

What they need: Sometimes a one- or two-year program, other times on-the-job training

What they earn: $37,571 per year*

5. Physicians and Surgeons

Projected growth from 2008 to 2018: 144,100 jobs

What they do: Diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for patients suffering from injury or disease

What they need: A bachelor's degree, four years of medical school and anywhere between three and eight years of internship and residency

What they earn (physicians): $188,065 per year*

What they earn (surgeons): $366,165 per year*

6. Child Care Workers

Projected growth from 2008 to 2018: 142,100 jobs

What they do: Attend to the personal needs of children

What they need: Typically a high school diploma, though that is not always the case

What they earn: $26,474 per year*

*Salary information is the average figure listed from CBsalary.com.