Health Degree Tier List

Summary

In this annual tier list video, Shane reviews various health-related degrees, from associate to doctoral levels, assessing their demand, pay, and overall value. Degrees like Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine are highlighted, with insights on their potential despite some not living up to the high standards set by other health degrees. The video also covers less conventional paths like health business degrees and emphasizes the importance of job satisfaction and future prospects in career choices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the 'Health Degree Tier List for 2022', evaluating various health-related degrees from associate to doctoral levels.
• 📚 Shane includes degrees that were suggested by viewers in a previous video, emphasizing the importance of community feedback.
• 🏥 Health-related business degrees, such as hospital administration, are placed in the C-tier due to moderate demand and pay, despite not being the primary path to healthcare management roles.
• 👩‍⚕️ The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a step above a Master's in nursing, offering more medical training but not significantly higher pay compared to a Master's level nurse practitioner.
• 👞 The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a B-tier degree, offering decent pay and good demand for foot care specialists.
• 🩺 The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is similar to an M.D. but may be slightly less respected and pays less, though it's easier to get into an osteopathic school.
• 🦷 Dental Assistant is a D-tier degree with decent pay for an associate degree but less demand compared to other health degrees.
• 🦷‍♀️ Dental Hygienist is an A-tier degree with high pay and good demand for a two to three-year degree.
• 👩‍⚕️ Medical Doctors (M.D.) are in the A-tier, with the highest pay but require a significant commitment of up to 18 years of education and training.
• 👩‍⚕️ Registered Nurses have a flexible career path, with increasing pay and responsibilities as they pursue higher levels of education, from associate to doctoral degrees.
• 💊 Pharmacists, despite market saturation, remain a high-paying profession, placed in the high B-tier, with potential for changes due to regulatory shifts.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Physician Assistants, now known as Physician Associates, are in the A-tier, with high pay, demand, and job satisfaction, making them a top choice for healthcare careers.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video?

The purpose of the video is to discuss the annual health degree tier list for 2022, evaluating various health-related degrees from associate to doctoral levels.

Why did the speaker include certain degrees that were suggested in the last video?

The speaker included certain degrees that were suggested in the last video to address the viewers' interests and to ensure a comprehensive tier list.

What is the general opinion about health-related business degrees at the bachelor level, such as hospital administration?

The speaker considers health-related business degrees at the bachelor level to be of moderate value, with okay payment and not a great amount of demand, often being overshadowed by those who have actual healthcare experience.

What is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and how does it compare to a Master's level nurse practitioner?

The DNP is a doctorate-level degree for nurse practitioners, offering more medical training than a Master's level degree. However, the speaker suggests that the extra training may not significantly increase earnings compared to a Master's level nurse practitioner.

What is the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) and what career does it lead to?

The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a doctoral degree that leads to a career as a podiatrist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment and care of the feet.

Why is the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) considered to be slightly less respected than a Medical Doctor (MD)?

The DO is considered slightly less respected than an MD due to historical perceptions, despite the fact that they are very similar and are expected to merge into a single track within the next five to ten years.

What are the career prospects for someone with an associate degree in Dental Assisting?

Dental Assisting is an associate or two-year degree with decent earning potential but limited demand, placing it in the D-tier according to the speaker.

Why is the Dental Hygienist profession considered a good career choice?

Dental Hygienist is considered a good career choice due to high earning potential, with an average salary of $70,000 to $80,000 a year, and a decent amount of demand.

What are the financial considerations for pursuing a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Dental degree?

Pursuing a Dental degree requires a significant financial commitment, including potential student loan debt and possibly a business loan for starting a practice, with a long payback period into one's mid to late 30s.

What is the potential earning for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, with an associate degree, can expect to earn around seventy thousand dollars a year or more.

Why is the career of Dietetics and Nutritionists considered less favorable in terms of statistics?

The career of Dietetics and Nutritionists is considered less favorable due to less impressive statistics compared to other health-related degrees, leading to its placement in the D-tier.

What is the general outlook for a Medical Doctor (MD) in terms of earning potential and commitment?

A Medical Doctor (MD) has the highest earning potential on the list but also requires the most commitment, with potentially up to 18 years of schooling and training before achieving full pay.

What are the advantages of being a Nurse Practitioner with a Master's in Science in Nursing (MSN)?

A Nurse Practitioner with an MSN can prescribe and diagnose like a doctor, has worldwide recognition, and enjoys high job satisfaction and earning potential.

How does the speaker view the career of Occupational Therapy compared to Physical Therapy?

The speaker views both Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy as having high job satisfaction and decent earning potential, but with less impressive statistics compared to other health degrees, placing them in the A-tier.

What is the difference between an Occupational Therapy Assistant and a Physical Therapy Assistant?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant helps occupational therapists, while a Physical Therapy Assistant assists physical therapists. The speaker rates the Occupational Therapy Assistant higher due to better statistics.

Why is the Optician profession considered less favorable in terms of statistics?

The Optician profession, which involves basic eye care and typically requires an associate degree or certificate, is considered less favorable due to less impressive statistics compared to other health-related degrees.

What are the current trends affecting the Pharmacy profession and its future outlook?

The Pharmacy profession is currently facing saturation due to an increase in pharmacy schools, but there is potential for growth if provider status is granted and regulation boards crack down on school numbers, leading to uncertainty in the future.

What are the advantages of being a Physician Assistant (also known as Physician Associate)?

A Physician Assistant enjoys high earning potential, strong demand, the ability to prescribe and diagnose under supervision, and very high job satisfaction.

What is the earning potential for a Radiation Therapist?

A Radiation Therapist, with an associate degree, can expect to earn well over eighty thousand dollars a year, with decent demand for the profession.

What is the speaker's view on the Radiologic or MRI Technologist profession?

The speaker views the Radiologic or MRI Technologist profession as having decent but not outstanding statistics, placing it in the C-tier.