By choosing to pursue a career in healthcare, you are choosing to better the world we live in by providing essential medical care to your fellow community members. While there are many paths to choose from within the field, all healthcare workers are integral to the lives of their patients. Though education requirements vary by position, getting started by earning a degree in the healthcare subject you are most interested in is a great first step towards meeting your goals.

The healthcare industry is always growing, with our country in considerable need of new professionals to join the field. If a well-paying, stable career that allows you to play a major role in saving lives is of interest to you, continue reading to learn about just a few of the top healthcare careers:

1. Becoming a Pharmacist: Pharmaceutical Sciences Degrees

   Pharmacists fill and distribute prescriptions medications to patients. On a typical day at work, they might provide vaccinations to patients, offer professional direction and advice to patients on how to take their medications, fill prescriptions, or create custom medications via ingredient compounding as necessary.

   To become a pharmacist, you will need to earn a doctorate in pharmaceutical studies. To do so, you’ll first need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field of study, such as chemistry or biology. All pharmacists take part in ongoing training throughout their careers in order to keep up with advancements in medicine.

2. Becoming an Occupational Therapist: Occupational Therapy Degrees

   Occupational therapists treat disabled, injured, or ill patients to make doing daily tasks easier for them. They demonstrate how to use adaptive equipment to patients, recommend helpful exercises to strengthen their patients’ muscles, and help modify their patients’ environments to make everyday activities easier to accomplish. Occupational therapists work with patients of all ages and backgrounds, so cultural sensitivity and communication skills are notable musts for this career.

   Occupational therapists need at least a master’s in occupational therapy, as well as a license to practice in their state.

3. Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist: Speech-Language Pathology Degrees

   Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, treat patients with speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders. They assess their patients’ speech-related problems and create personalized treatment plans to assist them. This may involve strengthening the muscles related to speaking or swallowing, assisting patients with learning and practicing the usage of new vocabulary and sentence structures, or helping families adapt to new methods of communication.

   Speech therapists must have a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and be licensed in their state.

4. Becoming a Nurse: Nursing Degrees

   Nurses provide patient care in a hospital or doctor’s office setting. They assess their patients’ conditions, consult with doctors on treatment plans, and assist in administering treatment. Many nurses specialize in working with particular groups of people or sections of their hospital or clinic; neonatal nurses work with newborns, geriatric nurses work with the elderly, nephrology nurses focus on kidney-related health issues, and addiction nurses assist patients in overcoming addiction, just to name a few of the possibilities.

   Nurses must earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing, depending on the type of nurse they want to become. All nurses must be licensed within their state. Nursing programs always include some amount of clinical supervision.

5. Becoming a Radiographer: MRI Degrees

   Radiographers, also known as radiologic technologists, perform diagnostic imaging such as x-rays on patients. They prepare patients for imaging, follow doctor orders on what to take images of carefully, and assist doctors in evaluating images to determine if further imaging is necessary. Radiographers are trained to use different medical diagnostic equipment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists specifically are trained in using MRI scanners, a process which involves injecting patients with a special dye before taking images.

   Most radiographers have an associate degree in MRI scanning, radiograph technology, or a healthcare-adjacent field. Additionally, most states require that they be officially licensed to practice.

6. Becoming a Nutritionist: Dietetics Degrees

   Nutritionists assist patients in using food to better promote health and manage disease effectively. They assess patient nutritional needs, create nutrition plans, and monitor the results. They may also help create nutrition education resources to be distributed to the public and contribute to scientific research on diet and nutrition.

   Most nutritionists have a bachelor’s in dietetics, with some even going on to get a master’s degree in the subject. Many states require prospective nutritionists to meet licensing standards as well.

   Ready to dive headfirst into a fulfilling career that allows you to assist others? Healthcare might be the right choice for you. Earning a healthcare degree is the first step to take and opting for an online program is the most affordable and convenient way to do so.

   Explore your future in the healthcare field by checking out your degree program options today.