The value of a health degree

Want to know the value of a nursing degree? For starters, RNs (registered nurses) make up the bulk of professionals in the health care field. There are about two and a half million RN jobs in the US, with 60 percent of them being in hospitals. Despite that astounding figure there is still a great shortage of nurses, so the value of a nursing degree can easily be recognized. And the need for nurses is only going to continue to grow, allowing graduates multiple nursing opportunities to choose from.

In addition to working in outpatient and inpatient areas of a hospital, nurses can work for doctors, government agencies, outpatient care centers, nursing homes, home health care services, or employer services. Approximately 25 percent of nurses work part time. A handful of nurses also work in public and private social assistance and educational organizations.

There is much truth to the value of a nursing degree. Earnings are very favorable for nurses. The average annual wage for a registered nurse is $53,000. However, the pay can range from $35,000 to $75,000. Only about 10 percent earn more than $75,000 or less than $37,000. The industry pays the most is employment services, which averages $63,000 per year. The lowest paying nursing industry is nursing homes, which pay an average of $48,000 annually. Obviously, this is just a guideline and by no means a set rule of how much you would be paid as a nurse.

Achieving a degree in nursing is not the only way to work in the health care field. There are many other career positions that require similar tasks to that of a nurse. Those include:

1. Surgical technologists or technicians
2. Respiratory therapists
3. Radiology technologists or technicians
4. Doctors and surgeons
5. Physician assistants
6. Occupations therapists
7. Nursing, psychiatric and home health aides
8. Managers of health and medical services
9. Massage therapists
10. Licensed practical (LPN) or vocation nurses
11. EMTs (emergency medical technicians) or paramedics
12. Medical sonographers
13. Cardio techs or technicians

There is much to the value of a nursing degree - or any other degree - in the health care field. Health care is something that will always be in demand, so you have little worry of losing your job. If you want a stable job with a stable future, health care is the way to go!

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