1. Finishing the training needed for certification is much faster than for other areas of nursing such as LPNs and RNs. It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks of education until you’re ready for licensure by your state nursing board.
2. CNA jobs are hands-on and could be just what someone wants if they desire dealing directly with patients. This includes helping a patient exercise, feed, groom, and turn. You’ll help people that need care doing their most basic needs.
3. One of the fastest growing areas of the medical industry is home healthcare and CNAs are needed to work as home health aides in long-term care facilities more than ever.
4. The demand for nursing assistants is even higher than the overall demand for nurses. The BLS expect another 28% more nursing assistants will be needed over the next several years.

Even if you’re not in the healthcare industry right now, it’s still a great time to start a new career as a nursing aide.

More Good Reasons For Pursing A Career As A Certified Nursing Assistant is an article from Medical Career Book

Because of the shorter length of time spent training, compared to those getting a four-year bachelor degree in radiology, the curriculum in a one or two-year program is geared entirely toward your future employment as a radiographer. That might help people who do not do as well when forced to learn things in the classroom that do not interest them as much.

One advantage of studying at a one or two-year program is joining the workforce earlier. Once you are employed, it might make sense to continue taking courses to earn a higher degree but in the meantime you will be gaining experience and making money. Radiographers with bachelor degrees tend to occupy more senior positions and move into management roles more easily. So a lot of the decision on if you should continue taking courses depends on your career goals.

2 Year Vocational Training For Radiology Technicians is an article from Medical Career Book

There are differences in the potential upward mobility of the three however. Many times a person holding a bachelor degree gets more opportunities for management positions than a person holding an associate degree or a certificate. Part of that comes from the wider education base of the bachelor degree in radiology and part of that comes from employers, as in many other fields, preferring candidates with more training.

It is possible to take online classes for many of the courses you will need to complete your education. Clinical training still must be completed at a brick-and-mortar facility but this is a possible option especially for people working full-time while studying to become a radiology technician.

Attending a school accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT) is essential in enabling a student to be eligible to take the certification exam. Earning this certification is important for a radiology technician’s eligibility for employment at many places that only hire licensed radiographers. It also potentially enables you to earn a higher salary than people without licensure.

What Education Is Needed To Become A Radiology Technician? is an article from Medical Career Book

It’s important to start the process as early as possible if you’re thinking about applying to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises along the way. Working with a career counselor at a high school or junior college should help prevent you from missing any steps and hopefully stand out from a crowded field.

One of the first things you’ll need is generally a high school diploma or equivalent. After that check the prerequisite requirements for the classes you’ll take in the program. You’ll probably need to have completed several science and math courses but there could be English and other courses required as well. These requirements are often different for each school. Also make sure your GPA is high enough to be considered for admission. Sending in the application materials well before the deadlines should help avoid problems with missing documentation as well as put you closer to the beginning of the line if there’s a waiting list.

Tips For Becoming A Radiology Technician is an article from Medical Career Book

A nursing assistant must finish 75 hours or more of clinical training and classroom study. This training typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. Most of a nursing aide’s training revolves around learning CPR, first aid, and emergency processes and anatomy, physiology, and patient care skills. All of this training helps them perform the task of taking care of a patient’s most basic needs.

The licensed practical nurse, called a licensed vocational nurse in some states, typically trains for 12 to 18 months. In the classroom, these students learn pediatrics, pharmacology, physiology, and other relevant topics. In their clinical training, LPN students practice administering drugs and monitoring vital signs, collecting blood for medical testing, and caring for patients.

Registered nurses have the longest training period because they have the most responsibility of these three types of nurses. RN programs normally last 2 to 4 years with the student completing an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Some of the classes include microbiology, chemistry, pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. The clinical portion of their training has the students working in areas such as maternity, surgery, and psychiatry.

Differences Between The Education For Nursing Aides (CNA) And Nurses (LPN And RN) is an article from Medical Career Book

For example, none of the following four occupations require more than an associate degree to begin a career but have much faster than average job growth, excellent future job prospects, and are actually among the 20 fastest growing of all professions.

1. Dental Assistants
2. Dental Hygienists
3. Medical Assistants
4. Veterinarian Technicians

The following four professions also have faster than average job growth and good future job prospects while needing between 6 months and 2 years of training to start a career.

1. Certified Nursing Assistants
2. License Practical Nurses
3. Radiology Technicians
4. Ultrasound Technicians

It is definitely worth looking at these growing medical careers for anyone considering working in the healthcare field.

Source: CareerBuilder

How To Start Health Care Careers In Less Than 2 Years is an article from Medical Career Book

Supply and demand says this should push salaries higher and the article does mention organizations using pay increases as an incentive. Unfortunately, this lack of supply means doctors might have longer working hours and patients might see longer wait times as well.

While the article only talks about doctors, it’s likely this shortage will fuel higher demand for closely related fields such as physician assistants. A physician assistant helps reduce the workload of doctors and surgeons by diagnosing problems, performing common procedures, and, at times, actually providing primary care. Although it was already an extremely high growth field, it’s reasonable to think the United States will need even more physician assistants now.

This is obviously good news for anyone considering either career. Salaries and the number of expected job openings aren’t the only reasons to begin a career in health care of course. But if you have a desire to help others and aptitude complete the necessary training, now is a great time to start down the path to a medical career.

Source: Wall Street Journal

150,000 More Reasons To Become Medical Doctors And Physician Assistants is an article from Medical Career Book

1. The medical profession represents 10 of the 20 fastest growing careers in the United States. These fast growing occupations include dental assistants, dental hygienists, home health aides, medical assistants, personal and home health aides, physical therapy aides, physical therapy assistants, physician assistants, veterinarian technicians, and veterinarians.
2. Even in a down economy, there continues to be a shortage of qualified health care workers. Nearly 40% more physician assistants are needed for example.
3. An aging population, rapid advances in medical technology, and changes in health care legislation all contribute to a high demand for health care employees.
4. Skills in the health care field are among the most portable of any occupation allowing for domestic and international employment opportunities. In fact, nurses taking short-term to medium-term assignments in other cities, states, or countries became popular enough that it is now known as travel nursing.
5. The requirements for individual careers range everywhere from one-year certificates to multiple post-graduate degrees. For example, the training for radiology technicians typically lasts 2 years. However, radiologists must complete years of additional training following medical school.
6. Many people find helping people meet their health care needs to be extremely rewarding.

With such a wide variety of jobs, from teaching to bedside care to research and development, there is something in the medical field for everyone.

Sources: CareerBuilder, BLS, Wikipedia

6 Reasons To Consider Health Care Careers is an article from Medical Career Book