So, we all know America's economy is hurting, and it can rise and plummet (even further) at any point. I was thinking about becoming a travel agent (since I already work for Princess Cruises), but it could be very risky, since leisure goes last, bills come first.

I am currently paying off a student loan for one semester I attended in the past. (long story) I was thinking in going to school forr medical study. I get squeemish, so I was thinking like an x-ray tech, you know, something where you don't entirely interact with the patient so much.

Is there a special name for the above field of study?

What pays the most in the medical industry?

Kavorkian's field may be quite lucrative...?

Well, I would imagine a specialized surgeon would make the most,,, but the fact that you aren't good with bloody things rules that out... Maybe a specialized medical engineer or some kind of disease control study? As in aids, cancer, heart disease or the slew of others that are out there... I am in the physical therapy, rehabilitation field... It pays ok,,, but for the most part is very rewarding and fun to help people...
I also have a side business with my dad doing consulting for mining companies...


Would you like to be in the public eye or behind the scenes helping out in the medical field?

Since i have been out of work for 10 months, i have briefly considered going to school for something, was looking at Medical coding/billing.

Helping out in either behind the scenes or in public is fine. I am horrible at math. I am the worst person at algebra. I actually wrote each step on how to do each kind of equation. Each time I came across that kind of equation, I would refer back the sheet. I still got a 40% on the test. So the math does not stick at all. I am impeccable at English and writing though.

I would prefer less math.

I have the same problem!

i think the cultivation of medical marijuana is going to be high on the profitability list


barring the caged aspect of the seriousness of the consequences that could become evidence

Surgeons of all type earn the most but school is long and hard, you're always on call, it can be high stress, and the hours are really long (60-80 hours a week). Neurosurgeons make like 400-500K on avg but again 4 yr college, 4 yr med school, 7 yr total residency. Dermatology isn't the highest paying at 270K avg, but it is one of the most sought after (avg dermatology residence scored in teh top 95th percentile on boards)...they don't have to be on call and work fewer hours a week with less stress.

Avg x ray tech salary is about 58K. Physician Assistants make about 75K, but you have to deal with people a lot. Pharmacists on avg make around 100K (have to deal with people but more in a conseling manner not treating). The requirements for pharmacy have changed from the past, you need a pharmD. Some schools have 6 yr programs for undergrad plus pharmD degree otherwise it's 4 yrs post college for pharmacy. There's so many jobs in the medical field and most pay pretty well, I have no idea what you're interested in though.

I used to be premed, but didn't want to be on call, I'm also not a fan of poking and prodding strangers. A little squeemish as well. Now I'm a molecular bio technician. But I'm looking at pharmacy schools.

its called radiology and it has mass interaction with the patient and sometimes you have to deal with things you'll never want to see. trust me.

no matter what medical field you go into you'll have to deal with something that isn't pretty.

my mom has worked for kaiser for 24 years and i have roamed those halls as a kid and have seen some crazy stuff in my day. so if you're goin into the medical field.. you can't be queamish.

unless you go into medical transcriptionist work. or medical records.

EDIT!!

oh yeah and pharmacy tech is a good one... but the responsibility is insanely stressful.

If you are personable I would get into any kind of services to the elderly. As the boomers age they are going to need every thing from delivery services, housing placement, medical support services, transportation, pet care, handyman, the list goes on. If you are squimish direct patient services are not going to be your cup of tea. Support services can be excellent. Know a driver for durable medical equipment company that is pulling in serious money.

exactly. radiologists do a lot of face-to-face plus there's often actual physical contact of positioning a limb, helping people onto a CT or MRI machine, etc. and you know kids will freak out at the unknown (i didn't. got nervous sometimes but mostly found it interesting).

on the good side, you'd probably deal with less blood and feces than doctors and nurses have to. there's a plus.

if you got really lucky the machines might malfunction horribly and give you some cool super powers. i recommend MRI. control over magnetic fields would be cool. just ask Magneto.

If you are any good with a wrench or screwdriver, maintainence and repair of medical equipment is a good field.
They are on staff 24/7 at my facility.
IT is a good field too, more sophisticated computer controlled medical equipment, and programing. Again on staff 24/7 .

You could get your LN or 2 year RN and choose where to work. Maybe a Drs office. That would be better than a scrub nurse in the O.R. or even a floor nurse in a unit. Nursing is a GREAT career and it is always in high demand.

personally I have chosen, and you may want to consider the administration route... I have a B.S. in CIS, and now moving toward MSA in Medical Systems Adminsistration... food for thought!...

in any case, good to see you are heding in a positive direction!!

Hey now, I love being a OR nurse!

How about gynecology? That's pretty much right up any guy's alley so to speak...unless you're not into vaginas of course. Then there's always proctology.

You're an OR nurse? You would have absolutely cracked up at me if you had been there when I had surgery. I was so high when they wheeled me into the OR, I hit on the OR nurse like there was no tomorrow. Told him how cute he was and what I'd like to do to him. Funny too...I couldn't even see what he looked like because I had to take my contact lenses out. I'm blind as a bat without them...AND I didn't remember what all I said to him until I woke up after the surgery. I was SO embarrassed.

Oh that is what I wanted too! But standing in one place to scrub in on a case that was 10 hours, I could not have done. Most of our cases were right about 2.5. (Ototlaryngology) But if it turned out the hearing loss was due to brain tumor you know that goes on forever. Plus, if he is squeemish....OR wouldn't be for him.

Thanks all. I might consider it, but I am not that great with people in real life, lol. I can talk someone into buying a cruise, even if they never wanted it.


My mom mentioned it, so it is just a vague thought. I would not want to be on call, so that is out of the question, lol.

Out of all the things you guys mentioned, maybe physical therapy, but the patience thing could be weird, I think I could do it.

Really not sure...

i was kissing the nurse before and after a surgery years ago. oh, yeah she just happened to be my girlfriend at the time. i'm really surprised they let her assist.