Healthcare careers offer stability, growth, and purpose, all qualities every high school senior should consider when planning their future. You might think that you need a four-year degree to start making an impact in the medical field, but that’s simply not the case. With hands-on training and professional instructors, Prism Career Institute helps students launch meaningful careers quickly and confidently. Here, we help you decide which healthcare career path is right for you. We also highlight our Practical Nursing and Medical Assistant programs, which are designed to prepare students to make an impact quickly.
No Bachelor’s? No Problem: Thriving in Healthcare Without a Four-Year Degree
If you’re eager to start working, gaining experience, and earning a paycheck without spending years in school, healthcare offers several options that don’t require a traditional college degree to get started. Entry-level roles, such as medical assistant and practical nurse, allow you to begin working relatively quickly after completing high school.
Starting with an entry-level healthcare role doesn’t mean limiting your future. Rather, it means gaining real-world experience that can open the door to advancement opportunities, from specialized certifications to concentrations. With proper training, support, and career services, students can launch a rewarding career and continue to grow in the healthcare field.
Beyond valuable experience and competitive pay, healthcare careers available to you shortly after graduation offer the chance to make a difference in the lives of others on your first day on the job. These roles can be achieved through Prism Career Institutes’ career-focused training programs, which take less time to complete than a four-year college degree. Our accredited learning opportunities combine practical training with classroom instruction to prepare you for real-world success. With day and evening classes for working students and financial aid available to those who qualify, we make education accessible and achievable.
Fast Lane to Success: The Quickest Routes to a Medical Career
For those motivated to get started in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant or a practical nurse can be one of the fastest and most reliable paths forward. These roles are in high demand, involve hands-on patient care, and provide a strong foundation for future growth within the field. Many professionals who choose one of these career paths later advance their education, using these entry-level jobs as a launchpad to roles with greater responsibilities and benefits:
Medical Assistant (MA)
Qualified medical assistants are needed in clinics, physician offices, and outpatient centers, and they are asked to handle both administrative and clinical tasks. Some of their duties include taking vital signs, assisting with exams, scheduling appointments, and managing patient records. The broad exposure gained in this role makes it ideal for those who want variety and a quick entry into healthcare.
At Prism Career Institute, the MA program can be completed in about 10 months and includes classroom instruction, lab practice, and an externship for real-world experience. The program covers a wide range of critical topics, including medical law and ethics, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology. Graduates are prepared to take certification exams, such as Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), which can boost job opportunities.
Practical Nurse (PN)
These healthcare professionals take on a more direct patient care role. Under the supervision of other healthcare professionals, they usually provide bedside care, administer medications, monitor patients’ conditions, and support patients’ daily living. This path is especially appealing if you prefer hands-on care and want a faster route to other healthcare roles, without committing to a four-year degree.
For those interested, Prism Career Institute’s PN program offers comprehensive training in as little as 15 months. Students learn essential skills needed to excel in the role. After completing the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, opening doors to roles in long-term care, rehabilitation, and other healthcare settings.
Both programs offer a more direct way to get started in the healthcare field without the need for completing a four-year degree. They also come with benefits like advancement opportunities, competitive earning potential, steady job outlooks, and personal satisfaction.
Plan Your Healthcare Career Before You Graduate with Prism Career Institute
You don’t have to wait for a four-year degree to start a rewarding career. As a high school senior, you can plan your next step into the in-demand healthcare field with Prism Career Institute. Learn more about why Prism Career Institute is the right choice for your future, explore our Medical Assistant and Practical Nursing programs, and apply online to secure your spot in a growing healthcare career. If you’re ready, call 888-966-8146 or contact our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, or West Atlantic City, New Jersey, campuses to enroll.