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Maya
Student
Bloomington, Indiana
1
Question
Updated
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I want to go to study neurology but can't handle medical school. What majors can I look to?
#neurology
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2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
FOR PEOPLE WHO ASPIRE to work in health care but are uninterested in or unable to attend medical school, there are plenty of well-paid career alternatives to becoming a physician. Some positions still require graduate degrees, but their programs have shorter durations and often lower overall costs. Best of all, many of these occupations are expected to see significant job growth in the years to come. The good news is you don’t need to take on a high load of student debt or spend years in medical school to take advantage of a medical career. You can find even more exciting high-paying options with just an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
• Median Salary: $69,330 • Education Required: Associate degree
You can be ready for this hot health care career in just two years. Respiratory therapists help people improve lung function after an illness and also work with those who have chronic conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They conduct diagnostic evaluations, consult with physicians to develop treatment plans and educate patients on exercises, medications and equipment that can improve their breathing. A two-year associate degree is the standard level of education for respiratory therapists.
RADIOLOGISTS/MRI TECHNOLOGISTS
• Median Salary: $86,700 • Education Required: Associate degree
An associate's degree or postsecondary certificate is required to become a radiologist or MRI technologist. These professionals usually need to be certified or licensed as well. These professionals are trained to operate x ray or MRI equipment and produce images of a patient's body. This is a good medical career option for introverts because radiologists and MRI technologists spend a good deal of time caring for the equipment they use and producing records.
DIETITION/NUTRITIONIST
• Median Salary: $69,500 • Education Required: Bachelor's degree
If you're passionate about improving health through proper nutrition, a career as a dietitian or nutritionist might be right for you. These professionals may work with patients one-on-one to encourage healthy eating habits, or they may be employed to oversee meal programs in a community setting such as a nursing home or hospital. Some dietitians and nutritionists are part of public health teams that develop campaigns and initiatives to promote good nutrition communitywide. In many states, these professions are licensed, and a bachelor's degree and supervised training are required as part of the licensure process.
REGISTERED NURSE
• Median Salary: $76,300 • Education Required: Bachelor's degree
Registered nurses are often on the front lines of caring for people with injuries and ailments. They provide a variety of services from assessing a patient's condition to monitoring medical equipment to administering medication. This is a profession that requires a caring attitude and high ethical standards. While there are diploma and associate degree programs for registered nurses, many positions nowadays require a bachelor's degree. Regardless of their education level, registered nurses must pass a national exam before they can be licensed to work in their state.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
• Median Salary: $108,000 • Education Required: Master's degree
Commonly known as PAs, physician assistants can perform many of the functions of a doctor. Depending on their state, they may be able to examine patients, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication independently. In some areas, physician assistants may serve as a patient's primary care provider. Like doctors, physician assistants must be licensed by their state. Licensure requirements typically include graduation from an accredited physician assistant program, passage of a national exam and ongoing continuing education.
NURSE PRACTITIONER
• Median Salary: $110,800 • Education Required: Master's degree
Nurse practitioners and physicians share similar duties and levels of authority in many states. As advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners can work autonomously, make diagnoses and prescribe medicine in some parts of the country. What's more, they may specialize in a particular area of health care such as pediatrics, geriatrics or mental health. Like physician assistants, nurse practitioners must have at least a master's degree and obtain a state license. They may also serve as the primary care provider for some patients.
Maya it helps to think about the type of work environment you’d prefer and whether you want to do clinical or administrative work. For example, a medical secretary job might work well if you want to mostly work on a computer and complete limited training. A registered nurse role might appeal to you if you want to work hands-on with patients in a hospital setting. Also, remember some of these roles can serve as a stepping stone to a higher medical career. A bachelor’s degree in a medical field could even leave open the option to attend medical school later if you desire.
I hope this was Helpful Maya
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
• Median Salary: $69,330 • Education Required: Associate degree
You can be ready for this hot health care career in just two years. Respiratory therapists help people improve lung function after an illness and also work with those who have chronic conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They conduct diagnostic evaluations, consult with physicians to develop treatment plans and educate patients on exercises, medications and equipment that can improve their breathing. A two-year associate degree is the standard level of education for respiratory therapists.
RADIOLOGISTS/MRI TECHNOLOGISTS
• Median Salary: $86,700 • Education Required: Associate degree
An associate's degree or postsecondary certificate is required to become a radiologist or MRI technologist. These professionals usually need to be certified or licensed as well. These professionals are trained to operate x ray or MRI equipment and produce images of a patient's body. This is a good medical career option for introverts because radiologists and MRI technologists spend a good deal of time caring for the equipment they use and producing records.
DIETITION/NUTRITIONIST
• Median Salary: $69,500 • Education Required: Bachelor's degree
If you're passionate about improving health through proper nutrition, a career as a dietitian or nutritionist might be right for you. These professionals may work with patients one-on-one to encourage healthy eating habits, or they may be employed to oversee meal programs in a community setting such as a nursing home or hospital. Some dietitians and nutritionists are part of public health teams that develop campaigns and initiatives to promote good nutrition communitywide. In many states, these professions are licensed, and a bachelor's degree and supervised training are required as part of the licensure process.
REGISTERED NURSE
• Median Salary: $76,300 • Education Required: Bachelor's degree
Registered nurses are often on the front lines of caring for people with injuries and ailments. They provide a variety of services from assessing a patient's condition to monitoring medical equipment to administering medication. This is a profession that requires a caring attitude and high ethical standards. While there are diploma and associate degree programs for registered nurses, many positions nowadays require a bachelor's degree. Regardless of their education level, registered nurses must pass a national exam before they can be licensed to work in their state.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
• Median Salary: $108,000 • Education Required: Master's degree
Commonly known as PAs, physician assistants can perform many of the functions of a doctor. Depending on their state, they may be able to examine patients, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication independently. In some areas, physician assistants may serve as a patient's primary care provider. Like doctors, physician assistants must be licensed by their state. Licensure requirements typically include graduation from an accredited physician assistant program, passage of a national exam and ongoing continuing education.
NURSE PRACTITIONER
• Median Salary: $110,800 • Education Required: Master's degree
Nurse practitioners and physicians share similar duties and levels of authority in many states. As advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners can work autonomously, make diagnoses and prescribe medicine in some parts of the country. What's more, they may specialize in a particular area of health care such as pediatrics, geriatrics or mental health. Like physician assistants, nurse practitioners must have at least a master's degree and obtain a state license. They may also serve as the primary care provider for some patients.
Maya it helps to think about the type of work environment you’d prefer and whether you want to do clinical or administrative work. For example, a medical secretary job might work well if you want to mostly work on a computer and complete limited training. A registered nurse role might appeal to you if you want to work hands-on with patients in a hospital setting. Also, remember some of these roles can serve as a stepping stone to a higher medical career. A bachelor’s degree in a medical field could even leave open the option to attend medical school later if you desire.
I hope this was Helpful Maya
Thank You Raquel. Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others, exists in you.
Doc Frick
Jason Rechtman, MA, MBA, LPC
Manager of Clinical Quality
120
Answers
Freehold Township, New Jersey
Updated
Jason’s Answer
epidemiology, public health, neuroscience, biopsychology, cognitive neuroscience. They are endless. Google non-medical neurology careers. Depending how long you want to be enrolled in school for you've got options from an MRI tech to a literal brain scientist that has a PhD.
Some of those I haven't even heard of- thank you!
Maya
no problem. If you go to the American Psychology Association homepage there are divisions you can get further information from specific to some of these. Best of luck
also- the answer above providing median salaries is an excellent resource but those salaries will vary tremendously depending on where you live. In NJ for example make about 15k more than listed.
Jason Rechtman, MA, MBA, LPC