The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates the nationwide nursing shortage will reach top one million full-time positions by 2020. Already, Alabama is feeling the pinch. Despite the 104,000 people employed in healthcare occupations (as of 2004), Alabama, like the rest of the nation, can expect an increasing need for nurses, home health aides, lab technicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists.

Many Alabama colleges and universities offer healthcare degree programs, with specialties including:

• Medical assisting
• Insurance and coding
• Business administration with a healthcare emphasis

If you like working with people, a degree in medical assisting can qualify you for work as a home health aide, or you can opt for a nursing degree. Are you a natural leader? Play to your strengths with a degree in healthcare management--hospitals need medical administrators, as well as nurses.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama healthcare practitioners and technicians earned a median annual salary of $49,500--considerably higher than the national average. With a healthcare degree from an Alabama school, you'll have access to entry-level positions in Alabama's healthcare system. From there, you'll have nowhere to go but up. So why not get started? Your first step is just a few clicks away.