Nursing job overview:

• 60 percent of registered nurses work in hospitals.
• There are more than 2.6 million nurses in the United States.
• On average, registered nurses make $62,000 a year.

What do nurses do?

It ain’t just fluffing pillows and waiting on doctor’s orders. Nurses do a lot of the same things doctors do – and then some.

According to the BLS (the Bureau of Labor Statistics) nurses not only treat patients who are sick and injured, they offer advice and emotional support to patients and their families, take care of paperwork (lots and lots of paperwork), help doctors diagnose patients and provide advice and follow-up care.

That’s right, there’s a lot more to nursing than meets the eye. It’s one of the hardest and most emotionally draining jobs out there. Got a weak stomach? Then consider a different career, my friend. Nurses have to deal with terribly sick people – and that often involves various bodily fluids.

How much do nurses make?

Registered nurses who work at hospitals make $63,000 a year, on average. Those who choose to work at nursing homes or with a home healthcare service make around $58,000. That’s pretty good money, right? We hate to be cheesy, but the real reward is the feeling you’ll get by helping those who need you.

What are the education requirements to be a nurse?

If you want to be a nurse, you’ve got a bunch of schooling in your future. Think about it. Do you know how to intubate a person? Or run an IV? Us neither. Learning those things takes schooling and practice.

There are two common ways to become an RN. You can get a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) or an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years. After graduating from one of these programs (and taking your local licensing boards), you’ll qualify for an entry-level position as a staff nurse.

Career paths for nurses

Most nurses start out as staff nurses at a hospital. Master the art of reading a doctor’s handwriting and you could move on to a better shift or a shift management role. After that nurses can advance to assistant unit manager or head nurse. Get an advanced degree and you could find yourself as an assistant director, director, vice president, or chief of nursing.

The future of nurse jobs

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), job opportunities for nurses are growing at a better than average pace. Job prospects will be the best for nurses who choose to work in doctors’ offices.

People are always willing to talk about the fact that it takes a lot of dedication to go back to school, but what they aren’t saying is that it takes a lot of money too. Since there aren’t any schools offering degrees in agriculture with a concentration in money tree growing, it’s safe to say that you’ll have to figure out a way to fund your new future. The process can be pretty overwhelming, so we’ve narrowed down the four major types of financial aid available for students.

Scholarships: All types of organizations and schools offer scholarships for pretty much anything under the sun: your interests, your hometown, your major, etc. There’s even a scholarship out there for skateboarders. The two most popular types of scholarships given are based on academic achievement (good grades) and athletics. Scholarships usually require an application process that involves proof of achievement and in many cases an essay. Applications are then evaluated, and eligible recipients are awarded money according to the terms of the scholarship. A word of warning: there are some sites that will try to scam you with fake scholarship opportunities. You should never have to pay a fee to be considered for a legitimate scholarship.

Grants: The most popular source of grant aid is the federal government. Grants are “gift” aid that you don’t have to pay back, but you don’t have to earn them in the same way you would with a scholarship (scholastic or athletic achievement). Grants are usually offered on a need basis determined by the information you submit on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Loans: These are the most widely available type of funding, but they will need to be repaid. You are borrowing someone’s money (from either the government or a private financial institution), and in most cases you don’t have to start paying off these loans until you graduate. You’ll have to pay interest, but it’s typically lower than what you’ll find on other types of unsecured loans.

Work study: In some cases the federal government will award need-based financial aid through a work study program. These are jobs (mostly on campus) where you are guaranteed a position at a fixed wage (usually hourly). Jobs could include security, library, maintenance or cafeteria work, but this all depends on the needs of the university. Work study is awarded through completion of the FAFSA.

No one knows your situation as well as you do, so the best thing to do is explain your financial situation to someone who can help.  You’ll find a listening ear in someone in the admissions or financial aid office at the university you plan on attending.  They’ll be able to steer you in the right direction and help you find the best way to pay for your education.

Psychologist job overview:

• On average, psychologists make around $68,000 per year (and up to $150,000 per year).
• Job opportunities will be best for those with doctorate degrees.
• About 29 percent of psychologists work in educational settings.

What do psychologists do?

The definition of a psychologist, according to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), is a trained professional who “studies mental processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people and other animals relate to one another and the environment.”

Say what? Don’t they just listen to people on couches complain?

Not quite. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common kinds of psychologists.

• Clinical psychologists help people cope with problems in their everyday life and provide therapy to help people improve their mental health. They’re the ones who will discover that your fear of flying stems from an incident that happened when you were eight, involving your mom, a bag of fries and a stuffed rabbit named Boris. You’ll usually find clinical psychologists at crisis counseling centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and individual or group practices.
• School psychologists work with children in elementary, middle and high schools. They work closely with teachers and parents to address students’ behavioral problems and learning disabilities, and also to identify gifted and talented students. They also can work at institutions that house psychologically damaged children. These jobs are stressful (and can involve restraining a violent child, believe it or not) but can be very rewarding.
• Industrial psychologists focus on the workplace. They work with management to help improve the quality of employees’ work life by restructuring or reorganizing existing companies. They are frequently consultants, which means they may travel around the country – or around the world – visiting factories and offices.
• Forensic psychologists work in the legal system to help detectives, FBI agents, lawyers, judges and others to understand the psychological findings involved in a particular case.

How much do psychologists make?

Clinical and school psychologists make $64,000 a year, on average. Industrial psychologists, on the other hand, make an average of $77,000 a year. Get your doctorate and you could be making nearly $150,000. Now that’s a salary that makes even us want to change careers.

What are the education requirements to be a psychologist?

A degree is a must for psychologist jobs. Some jobs, depending on the specialty you pursue, require a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctoral degree.

You will also likely need accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) or your local state board. Accreditation can vary depending on what field you decide to enter and can require either testing or proof of experience. Sorry, watching re-runs of “Frasier” doesn’t count as experience.

Career paths for psychologists

After getting a doctoral degree and a little experience, you might decide to enter private practice. In fact, about a third of psychologists are self-employed, and most of them are private practitioners. Set your own office hours, help people improve their lives and make good money. What’s not to love?

About 29 percent of experienced psychologists go on to help train and educate the next generation of psychologists by going on to work at high schools, colleges and universities.

The future of psychologist jobs

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), job opportunities for psychologists are growing at an average pace. Job prospects will be the best for people who have a doctoral degree in counseling or health and those with a specialty or doctoral degree in school psychology.

Forensic investigator job overview:

• Forensic investigators can make up to $98,000 per year.
• You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to get into forensic investigation.
• Your education will focus on science and legal studies.

What do forensic investigators do?

SVU, CSI, NCIS. What do these things have in common (besides being mega-hit prime-time series)? Forensic investigation, that’s what. These jobs, and those shows, surely aren’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need a doctor’s stomach with a scientist’s logic. If you can do it, being a forensic investigator is an incredibly rewarding and well-paying job.

As a forensic science investigator, you’ll be responsible for investigating crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Typically you’d specialize in one area, like DNA analysis, or firearm examination, or particular substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue and body fluids. You’ve seen it on TV. You’ll have to crack the code for things like footprints, blood spatters and bullet patterns to figure out “who done it.” When criminal cases come to trial, forensic science technicians give testimony as expert witnesses on laboratory findings.

How much do forensic investigators make?

Most forensic investigators make between $45,000 and $81,000 (some earn up to $98,000 a year). Your salary will vary with geographic area and tenure (the amount of time you’ve spent on the job). Another huge factor in earnings is education level. Forensic investigators with a bachelor’s degree start at a higher wage and earn more over their career.

What are the education requirements to be a forensic investigator?

Much like a police officer, forensic science positions almost always require a bachelor’s degree, either in forensic science or another natural science like biology, chemistry or physics. Knowledge and understanding of legal procedures can also be helpful, so a criminal justice degree or law degree will give you a leg up. Most investigators will also need to complete training programs with the federal, state or local agency that they want to work for.

No matter what your degree is in, you’ll have to have to get your hands dirty at some point. It’s up to you (and your prospective employer) whether you do it in school or during job training. If you learn how to use equipment specific to your desired job (microscopes and other brainy things) it could reduce the amount of time you’ll need to spend in training.

If you’re dead set (get it? dead set) on a career in forensic investigation before you even graduate high school, you should get started early with science and math courses to get you ready for your undergraduate degree.  An advisor can point you in the right direction, but coursework in college should be laboratory oriented, with an emphasis on practical lab work to get you familiar with what you’ll be doing on the job (and to toughen you up a little for what you might see down the road). Bone up on chemistry, math and physics while you’re at it.

Career paths for forensic investigators

Forensic investigators usually start from the bottom as a trainee with a supervising scientist or investigator looking after everything you do.  This isn’t your average job, so they won’t be cool with “first day” mistakes. It could mean the difference between a conviction and no conviction.  As you get more experience, you’ll be allowed to take on more responsibility (read: no one breathing down your neck), and even supervise others. If you get an undergraduate degree, it can help you move up the ladder much more quickly.

The future of forensic investigator jobs

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), jobs for forensic science technicians are expected to increase by 20 percent, which is much faster than average. Employment growth at all levels will be influenced by the increased need for DNA analysis and other scientific evidence.  Everyone watches crime shows, even jurors, so they’ll be looking for you in the courtroom and on the stand.

Ready to launch your own forensic investigator career? Get your criminal justice degree.

Police officer job overview:

• On average, police officers make around $42,000 per year (and up to $80,000 per year).
• There will be good number of new job opportunities within local police agencies.
• Most police offers need post-secondary degrees.

What do police officers do?

If you don’t know what a police officer does by now, more power to you. Some of us aren’t quite as fortunate and became well acquainted with men in uniform as soon as we got behind the wheel of a car (friendly advice: speed limits aren’t just “guidelines”). For those law-abiding citizens out there, a police officer is responsible for maintaining order and upholding local or state laws.

There are lots of different kinds of police officers, but for the purposes of this job description we’re going to stick to uniformed police officers. These law enforcers maintain regular patrols and respond to 911 calls (my bad on the loud music, Officer, won’t happen again). It’s a lot like the show COPS, but not as exciting, because you actually have to figure out what to do with the drunk, shirtless guy who can’t walk straight.

Most police agencies are split up into geographic areas called districts or precincts. Officers of a precinct will be assigned a specific area to patrol so that they can get familiar with the neighborhood, and hopefully notice if something just doesn’t look right.

How much do police officers make?

Most uniformed police officers make between $40,000 and $65,000 (some earn up to $80,000 a year). Wage will vary with geographic area and tenure (the amount of time you’ve spent on the job). Another huge factor in earnings is education level. Officers with a bachelor’s degree start at a higher wage and earn more over their career.

What are the education requirements to be a police officer?

Most entry-level police officer positions will require one or two years of college coursework or, in many cases, a college degree. Having a background in criminal justice is ideal, but experience in physical education or athletics can also help, because police work requires stamina and fitness. Knowing Spanish or another language is also important, especially in diverse urban areas.

Lots of junior colleges, colleges, and universities offer programs in law enforcement or administration of justice. If you find yourself in a situation where you can secure a position early in your education, the local police department may subsidize all or part of your education expenses for the remainder of your coursework.

On-the-job training is almost always mandatory. This training is usually offered in a police academy (12- to 14-week programs), with classroom instruction in law and accident investigation. Recruits also receive practical experience in patrol, traffic control, use of firearms, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response.

Career paths for police officers

Getting promoted as a police officer is a pretty straightforward process. The levels (from least to most tenured) are: corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief, and chief. Entry-level salaries for a police chief range from $90,000 to $115,000 per year. While a bachelor’s degree isn’t required to become a police officer, to get promoted to more senior positions, you’ll have to have at least a bachelor’s in criminal justice or related field (if not a master’s).

The future of police officer jobs

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), job opportunities for police officers are growing at an average pace. Older officers retiring and population growth are the two biggest contributors to employment growth over the next 10 years. Local jurisdictions typically pay lower salaries, but they are easier to get and offer a more positions for officers willing to work their way up.

Get your degree and enter a fast-growing career field

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a great job and know that you could keep it as long as you wanted to? Finding a career that offers job security is really just simple economics: supply and demand. You need to pick a job that is in high demand and that not everybody can do.

Let’s take a look at four of the fastest-growing jobs of the decade – and the education you’ll need to get started.

1. Nursing: The demand for nurses shows no sign of slowing. The two most common types of nurses are registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN). What’s the difference between an RN and an LPN? LPNs typically train for a shorter amount of time, from 9-month certificate programs to 3-year degrees for certain specialties (pediatrics, surgery/anesthesia). LPNs make about $40,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Becoming an RN requires a two-year associate’s degree or a Bachelor of Science in nursing, but the pay is higher (around $62,000 per year). Want more good news? Many colleges offer an online LPN to RN degree program. So if you want to get your feet wet as an LPN and then decide you want a career upgrade, you won’t lose any time!

1. Accounting: Accountants are always in demand. If you’ve got a knack for numbers, why not put it to good use? To be a certified public accountant (CPA) you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. You’ll also have to pass an ethics course and the uniform CPA exam. Most accounting majors get job offers before they finish their third year of college, and they’re almost guaranteed to make $50,000 or more. If you aren’t sure if accounting is for you, a business degree will expose you to the exciting world of revenues and expenses. As an added bonus, many schools offering business degrees will even allow you to earn your degree while you work.

1. Teaching: Who wouldn’t be excited to have every summer off? No degree would be possible without teachers, making education a great choice for job security. Requirements vary widely by state, but at a minimum you’ll need a bachelor’s degree (in education or the field in which you want to teach) with additional state-approved certification and training. Perks of this job? Making a difference in the lives of your students and an average salary around $55,000 per year.

1. Healthcare support: Positions like home health aides, certified nursing assistants (CNA), and a variety of different technicians require you to be able to pass a certification exam, but not all require a college degree.   Typically HHAs are trained by RNs or LPNs and go through a certification like one offered by the National Association for Home Care once training is complete. Being a medical technician, though, does require additional education (either online or campus). Typically you’ll need an associate’s degree with a focus on your intended career path. The jobs for people with these healthcare certifications are plentiful and will grow exponentially over the next twenty years.

Regardless of what career you choose, having a degree makes your job much more secure. So, really, what are you waiting for? Find a degree that is the perfect fit for you.

Unusual jobs you can get with a psychology degree

You don’t have to be Freud to make the most of your online psychology degree. If you don’t see yourself as a clinical psychologist, there are plenty of other options for those interested in the way the mind works.

Ever watch one of those court dramas where they call in an expert witness to testify that the accused murderer on trial is legally insane? Those people really do exist, and they’re called forensic psychologists. The term “forensic psychology” refers broadly to a field where psychology and law collide. Forensic psychologists work in jails, prisons, state hospitals, federal and local law enforcement agencies, community mental health centers and juvenile detention facilities. This isn’t an entry-level job – they’re called experts for a reason. You’ll need at least a master’s degree. However, if you are serious about psychology and have an interest in law, this career could be the one for you.

School psychologists work with students of all ages to help improve student behavior and address any learning issues. They team up with teachers, parents and other school personnel to create a healthy school environment for all students. School psychologists also help schools manage the ways they deal with their gifted and learning-disabled students. You’ll need to be patient and enjoy working with children. You’ll also need a graduate degree and specialized training for this position.

If you’re interested in how companies run, consider becoming an industrial psychologist. As an industrial psychologist, you’ll help organizations increase worker productivity and improve relations with employees. You may be asked to interview potential candidates, evaluate people for promotions and offer suggestions for improving employee morale. You’ll need a strong background in business as well as psychology and will need to know how to apply business principles to create a better workplace.

Launch your business career with an online degree. Register for free information today!

Learn what makes us tick with a psychology degree

If you’re fascinated by how the human mind works, consider a career in psychology. The word “psychology” literally means “study of the soul.” A career in psychology can include counseling, social work, marriage therapy or clinical work.

To get started in your psychology career, you’ll need a degree. Online psychology degrees are affordable and offer you the ability to learn on your own time. We’ll walk you through the different types of psychology degrees, from the basic associate degree to the Ph.D.

It’s possible to obtain an Associate of Arts degree in psychology. This will give you an overview of the field and introduce you to the basic theories and practices of psychology. However, most careers in the field require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, whether an online psychology degree or a traditional degree. A bachelor’s degree alone won’t let you become a practicing clinical psychologist. People with a bachelor’s degree in psychology often work in human services; jobs include case worker, social worker and career counselor.

There are two types of bachelor’s degrees in psychology: a bachelor of arts (B.A.) and a bachelor of science (B.S.). The two degree programs cover similar topics, but the B.A. is aimed primarily at liberal arts students and includes less math, science and clinical study. The B.S. is a better foundation for advanced study in psychology.

Many people get their master’s degree in psychology without intending to become psychologists. The Master of Science in Psychology is popular among human resources professionals, educators, marketers and managers of all kinds. Having this degree helps them understand human behavior and develop strategies to deal with the people they work with. That’s not a bad skill to have. With a master’s degree in psychology, you can also become a school counselor, social worker, industrial-organizational psychologist or even a sports psychologist.

Getting your doctorate degree will allow you to work as a clinical psychologist, diagnosing and treating mental health problems. The traditional Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree (Ph.D.) focuses on research and science, while the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree centers on clinical and practitioner work. You may choose to work with kids, teens or adults, in private practice or in a hospital setting.

Ready to start getting inside people’s heads? Begin your study of psychology and register for an online degree program today.

Great careers you can get with an associate’s degree

It’s not a great time to be a Detroit autoworker. Or a Florida construction worker. But there is one fast-growing field in which it’s easy to find employment: healthcare.

There’s a continued demand for nurses, nursing aides and other healthcare support occupations, even in the recession. But what if you’re not really a fan of blood and bandages? You can still find a healthcare job – you just have to look for positions that put you behind a desk instead of at patients’ bedsides. These three medical careers require only an associate’s degree or certification to get started.

Medical coding careers

What do medical coders do?

When a patient goes to the hospital, every condition, drug and procedure they have must be accurately recorded using a code for each entry. This is important for two reasons: one, so the patient or their insurance company can be billed accurately, and two, so data on treatments and outcomes can be used for medical research.

Medical coders read the data on patient charts and record it in code. There’s a huge database of medical codes you’ll need to learn. You definitely don’t want to mix up T33.8, which means “superficial frostbite of ankle and foot,” with L23.7, which means “allergic contact dermatitis due to plants” (a.k.a poison ivy).  Medical coders aren’t just typists – to succeed in this job, you have to understand medical language and conditions. Medical coding is a popular field for nurses who want to switch careers. Medical coders make $28,000 per year, on average.

Do I need a medical coding degree?

Medical coders usually have an associate’s degree in health information technology or something similar. A medical coding degree program will teach you about anatomy, physiology and medical terminology as well as database management and computer science. You’ll also learn how to use medical coding software programs. To advance in the field, you may need to pass an accredited certification course to become a CPC (Certified Professional Coder).

Medical billing careers

What do medical billing professionals do?

Medical billing is similar to medical coding in that both jobs involve processing lots and lots of data from patient records. Medical billers use codes to describe the different levels and types of care a patient receives. They enter this information into software used to process bills and submit claims to insurance companies. In this job, you’ll learn the complexities of Medicare, Medicaid and insurance policies. Medical billers make around $28,000 per year, on average.

Do I need a medical billing degree?

The training for medical billing is very similar to what’s required for medical coding. Most medical billing professionals have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in health care administration or health information technology. You can also get a diploma or certification in medical billing.

Medical transcription careers

What do medical transcriptionists do?

Medical transcriptionists listen to doctors’ recorded notes and type them out in written reports.

Just like medical billing and coding, medical transcription requires patience, determination, and attention to detail. It’s extremely important for a medical transcriptionist to record information  accurately – if he or she doesn’t, a patient may get the wrong care. Medical transcriptionists make about $33,000 a year, on average.

Do I need a medical transcription degree?

To begin working as a medical transcriptionist, you’ll need to complete certified medical transcription training, which can be a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree program. Getting your associate’s degree in medical transcription will give you the best preparation and may make it easier for you to find a job.

Get help finding the right campus or online degree program!

A degree could double your paycheck

Looking at the cost of a college degree these days, you have to ask: is it worth it? The average tuition and fees for a private four-year college in the U.S. is $25,143. That’s for one year. And room and board’s not included.

Even with financial aid, loans and scholarships, that’s a lot to handle. That’s why so many students choose online degrees, which typically cost between $300 and $500 per credit for a bachelor’s degree. Financial help is also available for online degrees.

Still, that’s a big investment. What you really want to know is this: How much more money can I make with an online degree? The answer: A lot. You might even be able to double or triple your paycheck. Take a look at these four examples.

You don’t need a degree to be a tax preparer – the person who helps individuals or small businesses organize and fill out their tax returns. Tax preparers earn about $17 per hour. If you get your online degree in accounting and become a full-fledged accountant, however, your average hourly earnings go up to $31.65, or $65,840 per year. Then you can afford to hire someone else to do your own taxes for you!

Security guards earn $12.42 per hour, on average. If you’re tired of watching parking garages and office building lobbies, getting your criminal justice degree opens up all kinds of possibilities in law enforcement. Correctional officers in prisons and jails make $19.88 per hour. Police officers earn $25.39 an hour (and many can make significantly more money working overtime at special events). Get promoted to detective or investigator and you’re looking at $30.69 an hour, or nearly $64,000 per year. Get started with an online degree in criminal justice.

Preschool and daycare teachers have a rewarding, but exhausting job – and they don’t make a ton of money. The average hourly wage for a preschool teacher is $12.80, which adds up to an annual salary of $26,610. With an education degree, you could become an elementary school teacher earning $52,240 per year – and get all summer off too! Teachers who work in special education or other specialized fields can earn even more.

A nursing aide makes $11.84 per hour, on average. A home health aide typically earns less: around $10.31. If you have a knack for dealing with patients and you enjoy working in healthcare, you can get your nursing degree and triple your earnings. A registered nurse (RN) earns $31.31 an hour – that’s more than $65,000 per year. You can become an RN with a combination of campus and online nursing degrees.

Remember, all these salaries are averages provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So you might make more or less depending on your experience and where you work. Ready to increase your paycheck?