Hope in health care

The U.S. Bureau of Labor has forcasted 26 percent increase in the number of health care professionals by 2010. While other industries experience economic instability and hiring freezes, the health care profession is stronger than ever.

“I’ve always wanted to do (a career in medicine) since I was young,” said biomedical engineering major George Thomas. “It’s always going to be in demand.now it’s an advantage.”

According to Maria Curran, the vice president of human resources for Medical College of Virginia, one reason for the rising demand for health care professionals is “other industries see the value of how a health care background can help them.” These industries include consulting firms, insurance companies and information technology.

Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, the associate dean for admissions at MCV, said in better economic times, it is typical to see fewer people going into the health care profession because of the amount of schooling and dedication required. Whitehurst-Cook, however, said a majority of non-traditional students, or students who do not go directly to medical school after college, hated the field they were in and have decided to pursue their initial passion for medicine.

Whitehurst-Cook said it would take at least another year or two to see if this increase is a direct result of the economic downturn. In the meantime, MCV is taking students with degrees from history to interior design.

“Well-rounded people are good when dealing with patients,” Whitehurst-Cook said.

She said interested non-science students should seek advice from a pre-med advisor and make sure to take the classes needed to apply.

“This would probably be a good time for nursing,” Whitehurst-Cook said.

She said a degree in nursing requires less time in school than medical school but still offers a competitive salary.

Whitehurst-Cook and Curran agreed that as the steadily increasing demand is apparent, health care professionals expect that to continue.

“People are always getting sick,” said pre-medical school student Angela Tran.
Curran said, “With the babyboomers coming, the need for health care will only grow.”

This growth in demand, said Curran, will only increase the need for expanding educational resources.

Curran said, “Fewer people are getting accepted to med school because there is not enough classroom capacity.”

The fact remains that although many industries are declining these days, there may be hope in health care.