Service and Health - Opportunities for Men in Health Careers

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Opportunities for Men in Health Careers
Did You Know?...

	Health care in Wisconsin is in crisis. There is a current and worsening health care worker shortage looming in the country. Wisconsin is no exception. By the year 2008, it is estimated that Wisconsin will need another 54,000 workers to fill the jobs the health care industry will create. In addition, due to retiring health care workers, an additional 10,000 to 14,000 jobs will need to be filled annually.

	In addition to the looming shortage of health care workers, the numbers of people requiring health care will steadily increase. Advances in medical technology will continue to increase the lifespan of severely ill or injured patients, who will need more extensive therapy and care. New technologies will enable the identification and treatment of conditions not previously treatable. By the year 2020, the total population of Wisconsin's population is projected to grow by 9% with the population over the age of 65 projected to grow by 47%.

	So the dichotomy is evident – larger numbers of people requiring care and fewer health care workers to provide that care.

	Health care is identified as one of the top three industries in Wisconsin and is projected to account for the creation of one in every three new jobs in the state between 1998 and 2008.

	Wage and salary figures in health services are projected to increase more than 25%, compared to an average of 16% for all other industries.

	Nationwide, nine out of 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest are concentrated in health services. Registered Nursing (RN) is ranked number 1 for the years 2002 - 2012.

	Nursing was typically viewed as women’s work, but the trend is changing. In 1980, 2.7% of RNs were men. By 2000, the figure had doubled to 5.4%. Men are attracted to nursing because of the opportunity to make a good wage while positively impacting people’s lives, and the career includes risk taking, courage, and assertiveness.

	Surgical Technologists are also in short supply. Job openings for surgical technologists are expected to increase between 21% and 35% by the year 2010. Surgical technology students make approximately $12 to $14 per hour and have great success in securing jobs after graduation.

	Phlebotomy is an excellent entry level position. Training takes less than one year with a hands-on lab/practicum to learn the skills required. Starting median salary is almost $20,000.

	The job outlook for Health Unit Coordinators (HUC) is expected to grow much faster than average. Positions in HUC and related health records and information personnel are expected to grow by 36% during this decade.