If you’re looking for a recession-proof field with job prospects that continue to build even in a struggling economy, you might want to consider healthcare.
Several healthcare careers are projected to see strong growth over the next decade, including:
- Nurse practitioners – projected to grow 40 percent through 2034
- Medical and health services managers – projected to grow 23 percent.
- Substance abuse and mental health counselors – projected to grow 17 percent.
Many of these occupations are growing much faster than the average growth rate of about three percent for all jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Healthcare Careers Have Strong Job Security?
Nurses with specialized training and a willingness to work in high-demand roles will be well-positioned to thrive in the current job market, according to Nurse.org. Nursing specializations that will likely see large demand include telehealth, mental health and geriatric care. Nurse practitioners, who are expected to see major increases in employment, generally require a master of nursing degree. For those who are currently working as registered nurses, a RN-to-BSN program can help them achieve that stepping stone to career advancement or graduate school – in addition to giving them the credentials they need to teach nursing courses. Given the increasing demand for nurses, the organization notes that nursing professionals likely have strong leverage to negotiate for better pay and benefits. Nursing salaries have outpaced general wage growth, and many healthcare employers are offering signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement and more flexible work schedules to attract new talent.
Medical and health services managers often comprise individuals who previously worked as radiologic technologists, surgical technicians, or other roles in medical imaging. A bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Imaging or Health Sciences can give them the foundation they need to get into management or other healthcare administration roles, including indirect patient care roles. For those interested in the intersection of healthcare and information technology, a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management and Technology from UW Online Collaboratives can help you manage electronic health data and build the software and systems needed to manage, retrieve, and analyze that data to improve the future of healthcare delivery and patient care.
In addition, BLS estimates that over 80,000 positions in the counseling field to manage substance use will be added through the next decade to replace professionals leaving the workforce and to address a larger need for mental health services.
Is Healthcare Is Recession-Resistant?
Healthcare jobs tend to remain stable even during economic downturns because the demand for medical care does not decline when the economy slows. In fact, healthcare and social assistance is projected to be the fastest-growing industry sector through 2034, driven largely by an aging population and rising rates of chronic conditions.
This increasing population of aging Americans includes many healthcare workers who are retiring. Unlike other job roles, healthcare workers are less likely to be replaced by AI due to the physical nature of their jobs – though most use AI to work more efficiently.
If you’re looking for a career that offers strong job security and the potential to earn a stable income, a healthcare role may be for you. Whether you’re looking to become a nurse, a substance use disorders counselor, or you’re seeking another role in healthcare like administration, UW Flexible Option and UW Online Collaboratives offer a variety of online degree programs that can help working adults complete their four-year degree while continuing to work full-time. Many of these professionals begin in entry-level healthcare roles and later advance into leadership or specialized positions, such as healthcare management, healthcare information technology management, nursing leadership, or behavioral health counseling.
At UW Flexible Option and UW Online Collaboratives, you complete coursework when it’s convenient for you, allowing you to advance toward a degree or certificate at a pace you control. You can also take breaks when needed so that your program fits into your life, and not the other way around.
To find out more about UW Flexible Option, contact an enrollment adviser at 1-608-800-6762 or flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu. For a list of degree and certificate programs offered in the online Flexible Option format, please see the programs page.