What Are The Best Career Opportunities In Health Care?

With the retirement of the baby boomers, the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy with many interesting career opportunities. If you are looking for a career that is both challenging and rewarding, then healthcare may be the right field for you! In this article, we will discuss some of the best career options in health care. We will also provide information on how to pursue these careers. So, if you are looking to consider a career in health care, read on!

Choose From A Variety Of Career Paths

One of the best things about working in health care is that you can choose from a variety of career paths. Whether you are interested in working directly with patients or in lab doing research, there is a place for you in health care! There are many different types of health care careers, and each one offers its own unique set of challenges and rewards.

Here are a few paths from the traditional (nursing) to a few more specific examples (Oral Surgeon or Pharmacist) to give you a small sense of the huge range of opportunities.

A Nurse

If you are interested in working with patients, you may want to consider becoming a nurse. With a shortage of doctors and changes in medicine, nurses play an increasing and vital role in the healthcare industry. One of the most exciting options to consider is that of nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who take on direct roles of patient care traditionally provided by doctors under the indirect supervision of a medical doctor. They provide care for patients of all ages. As noted, the aging of society is leading to some of the fastest growth in specialties focused on the elderly. You will find many online AGNP programs if you want to be an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.

Physician Assistant

If you prefer working with both patients and doctors, you may want to consider becoming a physician assistant, a career very similar in scope to a nurse practitioner. Physician assistants provide care for patients and help doctors with their work. Whereas a nurse practitioner focuses on types of patients (geriatrics), physician assistants often have specialties like Cardiology or Critical Care. They also conduct research on new treatments for diseases.

A Pharmacist

If you are interested to work in health care with medications, you may want to consider becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists dispense and advise patients on the use of medications. They also conduct research on new medications. They are employed everywhere from hospitals and medical facilities to your local drugstore.

Research Scientist

If you are interested in conducting research, you may want to consider becoming a research scientist. The role of a research scientist is to develop new treatments for diseases. They also conduct clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of new medications. Namely, one of the most important aspects of a research scientist’s job is to develop new medications. Both research hospitals and pharmaceutical companies hire thousands of researchers a year to tackle various diseases and conditions.

Nurse Anesthetist

If you are interested in working on the surgical side of hospitals, how about a career as a nurse anesthetist. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients who are undergoing surgery. They also monitor patients during and after their surgery. For instance, a nurse anesthetist may work in the operating room with surgeons.

Respiratory Therapist

Working in health care also involves treating respiratory problems and another important position in demand are respiratory therapists. Respiratory therapists provide care for patients with a range of lung diseases from COPD to asthma or bronchitis. They also conduct research on new treatments for respiratory diseases.

Oral Surgeon

If you are interested in working with patients who have oral health problems, you may want to consider becoming an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons go to dentistry school like dentist and then onto a surgical residency. They provide care for patients with challenging dental problems which require surgery. They also conduct research on new treatments for oral diseases.


These are just a few of the many different career opportunities that are available in the healthcare industry. From physical therapists to audiologists to neurosurgeons, the opportunities are diverse, but all can be challenging and rewarding fields for you. So, if you are interested in pursuing a career in health care, be sure to explore all of your options! And remember, no matter what career path you choose, you will be making a difference in the lives of others!