3 answers
Olivia Jussele
Student
Grafton, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
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Which job in the medical field has the highest salary?
As much as I want to help those in need, and enjoy the job I'm doing, I'm also concerned on how much I get paid because I have a big family to help to. As of now I can't really do much but I can get a part-time since I'm a junior in high school. Would it also make a difference if I take the classes in a community college? I want to save as much money for studying and make a lot when getting the job. #money #jobs #income #salary #veterinary-medicine
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3 answers
Raquel Davis
Registered Nurse, premed student
148
Answers
Providence, Rhode Island
Updated
Raquel’s Answer
Hello Olivia, you have a very valid question, it is important to know how much earning potential your career choice has. Many jobs in the healthcare profession are well paying. Registered nurses make an average of around $70,000, Nurse Practitioners and PAs both make an average of around $100,000, and physicians make anywhere between around $150,000 to upwards of $500,000 depending on the specialty. All of these are profitable careers but depending on your financial needs being a physician is the highest paying. But you also need to take into consideration the cost of entering any of these careers.
The minimum requirements to become a nurse is an associates degree which can be completed at a community college or many career schools. It often takes 4 semesters on top of prerequisite courses and is the cheapest option. You can also get a bachelors in nursing this is a minimum 4 year degree and needs to be completed at a university making it slightly more expensive.
To become a nurse practitioner you have to have a bachelors in nursing (BSN) and then go on to get either a masters or doctorate degree to become a provider.
To become a PA you need a bachelors degree, people often get degrees in biology, chemistry, or psychology but so long as you have all of the program prerequisites completed it doesn’t really matter. And then get a masters degree through PA school, often 2 years.
Finally to become a physician requires a minimum of 12 years, 4 years to get a bachelors, 4 years of medical school, and a minimum of 4 years of residency. More competitive specialities (and ones that pay more) require longer residencies, surgery can take up to 8 years, urology is often 5.
There are a lot of things that you need to consider before choosing a career, I recommend researching different jobs, what their duties are, what career options you have with each license, pay, cost of schooling, and time requirements. I also recommend trying to shadow a variety of jobs in the healthcare field to see if there’s one that you really enjoy. And most of all make sure that you choose something that you are going to enjoy!
The minimum requirements to become a nurse is an associates degree which can be completed at a community college or many career schools. It often takes 4 semesters on top of prerequisite courses and is the cheapest option. You can also get a bachelors in nursing this is a minimum 4 year degree and needs to be completed at a university making it slightly more expensive.
To become a nurse practitioner you have to have a bachelors in nursing (BSN) and then go on to get either a masters or doctorate degree to become a provider.
To become a PA you need a bachelors degree, people often get degrees in biology, chemistry, or psychology but so long as you have all of the program prerequisites completed it doesn’t really matter. And then get a masters degree through PA school, often 2 years.
Finally to become a physician requires a minimum of 12 years, 4 years to get a bachelors, 4 years of medical school, and a minimum of 4 years of residency. More competitive specialities (and ones that pay more) require longer residencies, surgery can take up to 8 years, urology is often 5.
There are a lot of things that you need to consider before choosing a career, I recommend researching different jobs, what their duties are, what career options you have with each license, pay, cost of schooling, and time requirements. I also recommend trying to shadow a variety of jobs in the healthcare field to see if there’s one that you really enjoy. And most of all make sure that you choose something that you are going to enjoy!
Bob Mau
client relations
21
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Sarah provided a good list. You should consider the educational costs as well as the demand for those positions in your decision making process. My understanding is more people are exploring the dentist/orthodontist field in recent years because there is typically less weekend and after hours emergency/on call work.
Talk to people in the professions that most interest you, and if you do decide to pursue one of the options, learn as much as you can about what the job entails before deciding.
Bob recommends the following next steps:
Sarah Albertini-Bond
Pharmacy Operations Director
1
Answer
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hello! There are multiple roads you could take, by going to medical practice or working for a health administration. Below is a listing from US News and World report:
1) Dentist
2) Physician's Assistant
3) Orthodontist
4) Nurse Practitioner
5) Physician
6) Speech-Language Pathologist
7) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
8) Veternarian
9) Registered Nurse
10) Physical Therapist
Source: https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs
Good Luck!
Research fields listed here to figure out what education is needed
Talk to professionals in these fields
1) Dentist
2) Physician's Assistant
3) Orthodontist
4) Nurse Practitioner
5) Physician
6) Speech-Language Pathologist
7) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
8) Veternarian
9) Registered Nurse
10) Physical Therapist
Source: https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs
Good Luck!
Sarah recommends the following next steps: