8 Best Degrees for Those Interested in Healthcare

We can all agree that our physical and mental well-being is of utmost importance. This is why health care is one of the leading fields in the world and has captured the interest of many individuals. Ranging from being a doctor with a degree in MBBS to being a physiotherapist, healthcare offers a variety of fields.

After the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, the significance of maintaining good health has been recognized globally. Ever since then, job opportunities in this sector have also been skyrocketing. A healthcare career is in high demand and pays a significant amount. Moreover, due to the diverse range of fields, there is something to capture everyone’s interest. So if you’re interested too, here are some degrees that will help you build a career in healthcare:

Nursing

Nursing is a field that has been greatly undermined. Society has deemed doctors as the focal point of the patient’s well-being, forgetting that regulating and keeping a check on the patient is the responsibility of a nurse. The right care is essential and can expedite a patient’s healing process. This is why nursing is a field that is now getting a lot of recognition and appreciation.

A basic degree covers courses related to nutrition, anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, and health assessment. To become a registered nurse (RN), you can opt for an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or choose to go for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). BSN, having higher credits, increases the chances of landing a good job. The best part is that you can also opt for an online BSN degree if you want to save time or manage your studies while working a job.

You can also obtain a diploma in practical nursing (DPN). This will allow you to work closely with Registered Nurses (RN) in a position of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Healthcare Administration and Management

It is no easy task to handle the hustle and bustle in a hospital. With a thousand medical records, the role of medical and health services managers is immense. To keep a check on efficient operations, a person with commendable administration skills and sufficient medical knowledge is a valuable asset.

A degree in health administration and management allows you to be entrusted with managing healthcare institutions. You also get to learn about healthcare law, accounting, statistics, HR management, anatomy, and physiology.

Biomedical Engineering

A highly intensive yet rewarding field is bioengineering. Many tend to avoid this degree due to its level of difficulty. However, there is no denying that a person who holds this degree stands out amongst others.

With the emergence of technology, the potential for advancement in medical fields is of great value. With a degree in biomedical engineering, you get to utilize technology to incorporate it to find solutions to great healthcare issues. For example, laser eye surgery brought a solution to deteriorating vision through biomedical engineering. 

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene is a rapidly growing field. Many assume that acquiring education in this field restricts them to working as a typical dental hygienist at a clinic. This is far from the truth since dental hygienists are equipped with skills that allow them to work in administration, public health, sales, education, and much more.

Their coursework covers basic dental hygiene techniques and subjects related to physiology, dental anatomy, and preventive dentistry. Practical skills like making dental molds and taking X-rays are also part of the course.

Physical Therapist Assistant

The need for a physical therapist is much greater than one would think. Babies, children, or the elderly; physical therapy isn’t limited to age or gender. Whether it’s an accident you need to recover from, health issues, or aging, a physical therapist caters to all.

With an associate degree in physical therapy, you will be helping people restore their movements and identify as well as procuring the right exercises to solve each individual’s specific problem. Helping patients manage their main and improve their mobility is a primary part of the physical therapist’s job.

Public Health

Public health is a field that provides great contributions to society. It caters to populations and provides them with aid in preventing outbreaks and addresses environmental health. Public Health professionals are responsible for educating and spreading awareness amongst the masses regarding health issues that need to be shed light upon. Their task is one that has a global impact, correct procurement of health policy and regulations can save large populations from falling into the hands of deadly diseases.

Acquiring a degree in public health allows you to be well-versed in a variety of subjects such as ethics, preventive medicine, biostatistics, epidemiology, and much more. Your career can be one related to public communications, planning, and administration of health campaigns, or even as a health educator.

Radiologic Technology/Radiation Therapy

An associate degree in radiologic technology gives insight into a very technical field. Knowledge regarding medical imaging, x-rays, MRI and CT scans, and nuclear medicine is something of great value in today’s day and age. These diagnostic instruments help with administering examinations essential in identifying some of the most serious health concerns.

A bachelor’s degree in radiology further allows you to attain specialized positions. As a radiologist, you learn how to effectively treat and manage patients undergoing these examinations. Along with radiation biology, anatomy, and physiology, knowledge regarding tumor localization aids a radiologist in treatment planning for patients undergoing serious illnesses like cancer. 

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

With the passage of time, the emphasis on having a balanced and controlled diet has been increasing at a fast pace. The upcoming generation is very particular about what goes in their meal. The increase in the priority of nutrition has led to a rise in demand for dieticians. A dietician is expected to be aware of basic principles of food, nutritional and biomedical sciences, as well as behavior. With the help of this information, they educate others, supervise food preparation and organize food service-related activities.

Conclusion

With numerous options at hand, interest in health care does not restrict an individual in any way. Ranging from administrative to practical work, the options are endless. Many degrees available will allow you to practice what is most relevant to you. If you’re passionate about healthcare, check out these degrees for promising careers.