The health care industry will generate more jobs through 2016 than any other U.S. industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job prospects for these professionals are very good for the foreseeable future. Several factors fuel the high demand for health care workers, including:

* Baby boomers are approaching retirement age and are expected to require more care as they age.
* With technological advances medical doctors have opportunities to work on unusual and demanding cases. This increases the need for allied health professionals to attend to patient care.
* High tech equipment requires additional workers who are trained to operate the specific equipment.
* With more and more options for tests and treatments, people typically use more care than in previous generations. Also, because of early detection and treatment advances, people are living longer.
* There is a nationwide shortage of registered nurses, due largely to the shortage of nursing professionals to provide health care education.

Health care professions offer ample opportunities for advancement. The key to advancement in these professions is health care education. With further education, workers can become specialists in any number of specialties, including case management, grief counseling, legal nurse consulting, and crisis intervention counseling, among many others. Some of the less common education programs prepare students to be funeral service assistants, meditation instructors, alternative/holistic care practitioners, hypnotherapists, and spiritual counselors. With the required education, professionals may also become administrators or health educators.

For those interested in nursing, there’s a common sequence of advancement in this high demand field. Becoming a registered nurse requires a two- to three-year diploma or associate’s degree in nursing or a four-year bachelor’s of science in nursing. Registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees have more career advancement opportunities. Online programs allow registered nurses to receive credit toward their bachelor’s degrees in nursing for previous coursework and experience.

Many colleges, universities, community colleges, and professional schools offer health care education. They offer degree, certification, and/or diploma programs. Quality programs prepare students to sit for the national certification exams in their specialties. Flexible class times, evening and weekend classes, and online classes make it possible for working professionals to continue their education without leaving their jobs. Online courses may be self-paced independent study or may involve more structured learning.

Many employers reimburse for professional education classes. Larger places of employment may even sponsor courses, certification programs, and seminars at their institutions. This makes it easier for staff to attend and keep up-to-date in their fields.

Because health care standards and procedures change frequently, professionals benefit from continuing education courses in their specialties. In fact most specialties require coursework for recertification. The number of courses required for recertification and number of years between certifications vary according to the specialty.

This industry is the largest employer in the U.S. and it’s still growing rapidly. Careers in health care are as close to recession proof as any. Continuing health care education provides opportunities for advancement and specialization in a wide variety of rewarding careers.