Carlow Today & Tomorrow | Blog

If you have decided to pursue a degree in a health sciences field, you likely did so because of your interest in helping others. Whatever your motivation, you also likely were drawn to health sciences because of the promise of job opportunities.

Indeed, projected job growth for the years ahead looks to be robust. And with the impact of the global pandemic finally beginning to lessen, the various pressures put on many health care professionals over the past few years is also subsiding. As a result, health care again represents especially attractive career options.

Five careers within health sciences – physician assistant, nurse practitioner, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology – provide a snapshot of the rosy outlook for recent and future graduates. 

Physician Assistants

As part of a physician-led team, physician assistants do many of the same things that traditionally have been done by physicians, including performing medical exams, ordering and interpreting lab results, making diagnoses, and prescribing medications. Given that physicians often serve as a patient’s first and most frequent point of contact, they are helping to address the doctor shortage in many parts of the country.

What They Earn: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for physician assistants is $121,530 per year.

Projected Job Growth: Between 2021 and 2031, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Be part of the future of healthcare by embarking on a rewarding physician assistant career. Carlow University’s comprehensive Physician Assistant program includes both classroom and clinical training in Carlow’s state-of-the-art medical simulation lab,  where you can master the skills needed for this challenging role in primary and specialty care.

Nurse Practitioners

Like physician assistants, nurse practitioners collaborate with physicians to provide primary and specialty healthcare. Also, like physician assistants, they can diagnose illnesses, order and interpret medical tests, and prescribe medications. A major difference between the two roles lies in how they are trained—a physician assistant is trained to treat disease while a nurse practitioner focuses on caring for patients who have the disease.  

What They Earn: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for nurse practitioners is $123,780 per year.

Projected Job Growth: Between 2021 and 2031, the physical therapy field is expected to grow by 40% –a much faster growth rate than other jobs.

Make a difference in the lives of patients with Carlow University’s Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner degree or Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Throughout the program, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed for advanced practice nursing in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, private offices and practices, clinics, private homes, and schools. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for board certification and licensure, and prepared to assume a leadership position in nursing.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists work with people with a wide variety of physical issues, ranging from injuries to neurological trauma. They design and carry out rehabilitative programs consisting of exercises, stretches and therapies that improve mobility, increase strength and lessen pain. 

What They Earn: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for physical therapists is $95,620 per year.

Projected Job Growth: Between 2021 and 2031, the physical therapy field is expected to grow by 17% –a much faster growth rate than other jobs.

Prepare to enter a growing career field by pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree at Carlow University. To practice as a physical therapist, you must get a doctor of physical therapy degree and pass a state licensure exam. Carlow’s DPT curriculum allows you to learn the many facets of the PT industry including team-based patient care, entrepreneurship, leadership, health informatics to guide clinical decision-making, understanding of healthcare policies, and economics.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help patients through the therapeutic use of day-to-day tasks. They work with patients, including those with mental, physical, emotional or developmental issues, to develop or restore the ability to perform tasks such as eating, bathing or other tasks that promote greater personal independence. 

What they Earn: The median pay for occupational therapists is $85,570 per year.

Projected Job Growth:  Between 2021 and 2031, the number of occupational therapists is expected to grow by 14% – a much faster growth rate than other jobs.

Prepare to enter a growing career field by pursuing an MS in Occupational Therapy Degree or an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate at Carlow University. Carlow’s MS in Occupational Therapy curriculum allows you to learn through course-based learning activities and community-based experiences. You will participate in fieldwork experiences that allow you to bridge your knowledge between classroom and practice.

Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat individuals who have difficulties with speech, language or swallowing. Types of patients they work with can include those recovering from strokes, those with a speech impediment, such as a stutter, and children experiencing language delays.

What they Earn: The median pay for speech-language pathologists is $79,060 per year.

Projected Job Growth: Between 2021 and 2031, the number of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow by 21% – a much faster growth rate than other jobs.

Prepare to enter a growing career field by pursuing a MS in Speech Language Pathology Degree at Carlow University. This degree will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to enter into professional practice as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist working in any clinical environment.

Prepare for Today’s Healthcare Environment

To prepare future professionals for today’s healthcare environment, Carlow University employs a cross-team approach to educating and training aspiring nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. Carlow’s health sciences degree programs also use simulation-based training and state-of-the-art technology to translate classroom knowledge into clinical practice.

Explore Carlow’s healthcare degree programs and how they can prepare you for a career defined by a commitment to ethical, human-centered care.

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