Healthcare Careers are Here to Stay

By Meghan Cochran

Now is a great time to start your healthcare career.

Why?

Employment projections from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity indicate Brevard County healthcare industry employment for 2016-2024 will increase in hospitals by 12.6 percent; nursing and residential care facilities by 16 percent, and ambulatory health care services by 20 percent.

This explosive industry growth coupled with lower unemployment rates promotes job security because there are more job openings than people to fill them. Advancement opportunities are available to individuals who continue their healthcare education in order to gain new skills and credentials that can fill the higher level job vacancies as well.

Ever heard of a career ladder? It’s defined as the progression from an entry level position to one with a higher level of pay and skills. A nursing career can begin as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with training programs as short as six weeks that can qualify you for a $9.80 per hour job. While employed as a CNA, some people are still able to work a flexible schedule or weekends so they can attend school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). A Practical Nursing program takes 45 weeks to a year to complete but, once employed as a LPN, earnings practically double to $18 per hour. The nursing career ladder extends even higher – with additional education, experience and specialization opportunities resulting in even higher earnings.

So why not start here? Register now for CareerSource Brevard’s Healthcare Career Exploration event and find out more about healthcare careers, educational programs and scholarship opportunities directly from Brevard’s healthcare employers and experts.

The event runs from 3-5 p.m. July 25 at CareerSource Brevard, 295 Barnes Blvd., Rockledge. Visit https://csbhealthcarecareerexploration725.eventbrite.com.

Megan Cochran is the Healthcare Sector Strategist for CareerSource Brevard, a regional public/private partnership and part of a statewide network of 24 regions, known as CareerSource Florida. www.careersourcebrevard.com