If you’re looking for job security, there’s never been a better time to pursue a role in healthcare. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that nearly six million jobs will be added to the economy through 2035 – and of these jobs, the private healthcare and social assistance major industry sector will make up the largest portion.
Total employment is projected to increase from 170.3 million to 176.2 million and grow 3.5 percent. While this may be slower than the 10.9 percent growth recorded over the 2015-25 decade, according to the August BLS report healthcare roles are expected to account for more than 1 in 3 of all new jobs through the next decade. This growth can be attributed to an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
“Because the likelihood of experiencing health complications increases with age, the aging population is expected to boost demand for a wide variety of healthcare and social services, including home health and personal care services,” according to the BLS. “Moreover, given the high prevalence of chronic diseases and behavioral health disorders in the general population, the demand to diagnose, treat, and manage these conditions is expected to grow through 2035.”
Strong job growth is expected in occupations like physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, psychiatric technicians, and ophthalmic medical technicians, all of which rank among the 10 fastest growing detailed occupations from 2025 to 2035. Nurse practitioners are projected to experience the fastest growth at 41 percent.
How to Pivot Toward a Career in Healthcare
If you’ve already had some job experience in non-healthcare roles and are interested in making the switch, there’s a good chance you already have many transferable skills that you can apply in a healthcare setting. For example, the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, demonstrate resilience, and be self-aware are important for almost every job.
To make your dream of working in healthcare a reality, you may consider an online bachelor’s degree in health sciences. A bachelor’s degree in health sciences provides essential healthcare knowledge and skills while building professional skills sought by healthcare employers, such as critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, information literacy, and information management. You can pursue clinical and non-clinical roles with this degree, including medical and health services management, pharmaceutical sales, claims reviewer, or health specialists. A degree in Health Sciences can help get your foot in the door for an entry-level position so that you can begin gaining experience.
Maximize Your Earning Potential in Healthcare With a Bachelor’s in Nursing
If you’re already working in healthcare as a nurse and are looking for ways to elevate your career, a bachelor’s degree can help. The UW-Milwaukee RN-to-BSN program through UW Flexible Option offers registered nurses a chance to build skills they’ll need in management and beyond.
By earning your BSN, you’re more likely to qualify for managerial roles in a variety of healthcare settings such as:
- Nurse manager
- Nurse educator
- Head nurse
- Department chief
- Administrative manager
- Clinical nurse manager
A bachelor’s in nursing can also be a stepping stone toward graduate work such as a master’s degree in nursing, DNP, or PhD. With UW Flexible Option, you’ll learn clinical and non-clinical skills to help you excel on the job and in graduate school, such as critical analysis and decision-making, leadership and critical thinking skills, and much more.
Ready to Make the Transition?
Whether you’re ready to pursue continuing education for a career in healthcare after being laid off or you’re seeking a change of pace, UW Flexible Option can help. Call one of our enrollment advisers at 608-800-6762, or email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu, to learn more.