Closing the Gap on America's Health Care Shortage

Medical News reported earlier this year that the "Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities' (APSCU) second look at the shortage of skills in the U.S. turns to one of the fastest-growing sectors of the American economy: health care."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects health care and health care support occupations are projected to be the two fastest-growing occupations between now and 2024, with a combined increase of 2.3 million in employment, representing about one in four new jobs.

What's causing the shortage?

Whether in agriculture or business, there's rarely only one thing that definitively causes a shortage.

When exploring the shortage of skilled health care workers, it's a combination of several factors. Aging populations, wider access to overall care and an increased push, both personally and professionally, for wellness has generated longer lines at pharmacies, doctor offices, and clinics.

Medical News also contends that "this crisis exists because employers demand 'job ready' employees and prospective employees are simply not able to bridge the skills gap without appropriate education and training."

Employers are facing difficulties as they seek to fill the rising number of middle-skill health care positions, such as Medical Assistants, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.

In February 2016, The Atlantic, citing a previously conducted study, painted a similarly bleak picture around health care training:

"By 2025, the shortfall is expected to be 'more than twice as large as any nurse shortage experienced since the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in the mid-1960s,' a team of Vanderbilt University nursing researchers What's the solution?

The solution is to first educate about opportunities and then to focus on preparing men and women with the health care training skills they need to meet the demand.

In America's schools and even society to a certain extent, a misnomer developed that an advanced degree was required to have a fulfilling career versus a j-o-b.

Doesn't it make sense to invest in a focused program with an emphasis on combining traditional classroom learning with hands-on training to practice skills in a timely manner?

And, the best thing is, you aren't bound to stop at a diploma or an associate degree. The sky is the limit!

Opportunity Awaits at Concorde Career College!

At Concorde, we train the next generation of America's health care professionals for successful employment in a rewarding health care profession through high caliber training, real world experience, and student-centered support.

Our faculty and staff believe deeply in the work they do and the communities they serve. They are professional, former clinicians and actively engaged in their current fields through research and study.

We offer 22 health care programs among 16 campuses across eight states. Of those 22, 10 are offered associate degree programs, six are diploma and five are offered in both at some campuses (one other program is offered as a bachelor's degree).

Need another perspective? Watch what some of our students have to say!