Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Is a Medical Career Right for You?

There are many careers available in the medical field. These careers are fast growing and wide spread, but how do you know if a medical career is right for you? There are many levels of training, so you can enter the field quickly in about a year or longer. Training can take anywhere up to 6 to 8 years. Here is a look at the different requirements of some of the most popular medical careers.

Requirements. All medical careers have different requirements and prerequisites for their respected training programs. Nursing is by far one of the most popular medical career choices at the moment. A nursing shortage has created a high demand for nurses of all types. Nursing schools have different requirements though a high school diploma or equivalent is a general requirement for all schools. Administrative or clerical jobs have differing requirements ranging from no formal education, to certification programs, to advanced education. Physicians and doctors must complete a Bachelor’s degree in a pre-medical track in order to begin advanced training.

Training. Training programs are quite different across professions. A nursing degree can be obtained in 2 years at the Associate’s level, 4 years at the Bachelor’s level, and longer for nursing specialists. Nursing programs focus on course work, as well as practical hands on experience, in preparation for national certification. Administrative positions can be obtained instantly for those with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, with little or no additional training requirements. Many administrative and clerical positions such as medical transcription and billing and coding require a short training course before certification. Training courses can be taken at community colleges or at hospitals. Training for doctors and physicians is considerably longer requiring advanced medical school training, followed by a hands-on hospital residency that can take an additional 3 to 6 years.

Time. Time is a huge consideration when choosing a medical career. It may be too late to begin physicians training in late adulthood; however, certification programs may be ideal to quickly enter the work force. Nursing is a great option for those with little time because there are many options for continued education in the future. Once a nursing degree is obtained, nurses can take additional certification courses while on the job or in addition to regular work hours.

Salary. Generally, the salaries of medical careers are quite rewarding. As with most careers, salary also increases with the amount of education obtained and required. While administrative workers are compensated well, doctors and physicians are compensated extremely well, although education and training requirements are far more rigorous.

If you are pursuing a career in the medical field, the best advice is to start early. It will set you up for many more options in career choice and training options. With the proper planning and hard work, you can get the medical career of your dreams.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

Angela Oliver is a contributing author for Healthcare-TrainingCenter.com, offering free no-obligation information about healthcare careers and training. Please visit the site at www.Healthcare-TrainingCenter.com/certification-degree-programs.asp to learn more about requirements and training programs of all types of medical careers.