Not everybody has the same life experiences or the same opportunities. Some are fortunate enough to be born into stable homes with a reliable income, and can leverage those experiences into a transformative learning experience via college or comparable institutions. For many others, however, the need of an expert education takes a different turn.
Whether it be due to taking care of children or a simple financial obstacle, many aren’t able to immediately pursue their professional careers right out of high school. This often makes the path to success harder – but it is by no means impossible.
If you are working full-time, raising children at home or just have obstacles that make learning in a traditional setting difficult, online degree programs and other learning alternatives are available. For many, healthcare – the largest sector of the economy – is an attractive career choice due to high demand and great salaries.
Let’s take a look at five high-paying healthcare careers in particular that you can begin training for at home.
Registered Nurses
Arguably one of the most in-demand healthcare occupations currently, registered nurses earn a median income of $68,000 per year in the United States. This ever-growing field is being promoted by an aging population in need of care throughout all aspects of life. Many are drawn into this profession due to it being one of the most impactful career choices in terms of helping others.
However, many also find fulfillment in the industry due to the fact that a career in nursing can begin with as little as one year of schooling. Many online institutions offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in nursing, ranging from an ADNs and LPNs to RNs and BSNs. By pursuing a certified program that provides at-home courses, anybody can begin their new healthcare career in nursing.
Another reason so many find the field of nursing to be appealing is the sheer flexibility of the career choices. There are nurses who specialize in virtually every aspect of medicine. From local BSNs who preside over health clinics at schools and colleges, to neonatal nurse practitioners who provide nursing care to infants, there’s a seemingly unlimited number of career choices within this field.
Dental Hygienists
While many may think of hospitals and doctor’s offices when considering a career in healthcare, there are many venues that relate to other forms of care. Dentistry may be one of the most obvious, and dental hygienists are one of the most common career choices within this field. Providing a median income of $75,000 per year, dental hygienists help educate dentists’ patients about proper oral healthcare and provide a variety of meaningful services, including x-rays and cleanings.
With as little as two years of education via an accredited online institution, there are few career choices that provide such a large income without the need for advanced university training. Many find this field rewarding due to the impact that dental care can have on peoples’ day-to-day lives.
With immense growth projected in this field over the next decade, now is the time to begin following your passion for helping others via dentistry. When considering the flexible job schedules, comfortable work environments and reliable hours, many mothers in particular find this career choice appealing.
Dietitians
There aren’t many careers where you can train from home, help make others’ lives better and even work from home in many cases. Becoming a dietitian is one healthcare field where all of this is possible. In just three to four years of online accredited learning, anybody can master the important roles and skills that dietitians provide to the masses, helping to generate healthier, longer lives for their patients and clients.
Some dietitians work privately, while others are hired by hospitals, doctor’s offices and other healthcare agencies. With roughly a 15 percent growth projected over the next 10 years, there is plenty of demand for this particular job set in the healthcare sector. The median income for a dietitian in the US is approximately $61,000 per year.
Dietitians find reward in their work by giving others the tools to pursue healthy, more fulfilling lives. For those who love interacting with new people, having control over their own hours and even being able to go into business for themselves, considering a career as a dietitian is a great decision.
Ultrasound Technicians
How many careers can you think of that pay 1.3 times the national average salary and can be secured in as little as a year? There aren’t many, but ultrasound technicians are a very good example that they do exist. With the median income of an ultrasound technician at $73,000 per year, it’s hard to imagine doing better with a simple one to two-year training program at home.
Pursued either via an associate’s degree or certificate program, learning how to become an ultrasound technician via a credible online university is a solid career choice. Besides the fact that you’ll be doing meaningful work, this field offers a variety of different advancement options and usually comes with a variety of work benefits and perks.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Last but definitely not least, the world of physical therapy is rapidly expanding – and in need of people willing to help. This field is expected to grow by more than 30 percent over the next decade, driven in large part by the rapid growth of an aging population. With an unprecedented number of people in need of rehabilitative services, physical therapist assistants have a vital role to play.
With a current median salary of around $58,000 per year, anybody who is willing to spend two years in an online degree program can pursue this vital and meaningful profession. Besides the fact that physical therapist assistants tend to have both great job security and satisfaction, the regular hours and reliability of the profession also can be beneficial to those with families and/or small children.
With so many exciting career fields that don’t require a conventional education, there is no excuse to stand back and let your future wither. The five healthcare careers listed here are just a few of the many choices you and others have when it comes to taking control of your future and starting a new adventure from the comfort of your own home.
