Although the drama of life outside the operating room may be the focus of the TV show Grey's Anatomy, all of the characters remain extremely dedicated to the practice of the medical profession. What ties together people as diverse as career-oriented Cristina and compassionate, kind-hearted Izzie is their ability to provide medical assistance to sick people in need. If you've fanaticized about being like your favorite characters on Grey's Anatomy and making a difference in the lives of others, a degree in healthcare may be right for you.
Practice Medicine and Save Lives
Recall Dr. Grey's first patient as an intern--the teenage beauty pageant contestant. On Meredith's very first shift, she was able to identify the mysterious cause of the girl's seizures and save her life. If you are interested in a career in diagnostic medicine, you don't necessarily have to go to medical school to save lives like Meredith. The physician assistant position is a medical career that allows talented individuals to practice medicine after two years of formal training.
Physician assistants practice advanced medicine under the supervision of physicians or surgeons. Many physician assistants work in primary care specialties such as internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine. Others may specialize in emergency medicine, orthopedics, or even serve as first or second assistants during major surgical operations. Physician assistant programs are offered by many online health care degree programs which prepare students for the National Exam required to obtain the physician assistant license.
In 2004, there were over 62,000 practicing physician assistants in the US, half of whom worked in the offices of physicians and a quarter in hospitals. Physician assistants earned median salaries of nearly $70,000 in 2004, and the US Department of Labor predicts that the physician assistant occupation will be among the fastest growing over the next decade.
Medical Careers Put You in the Operating Room
You don't have to be the head of Neurosurgery at Seattle Grace to get in on some surgical action. Surgical technologists, also known as scrubs, can get degrees in healthcare in two years or less that let them aid professional surgeons performing a variety of complex tasks. Even the sort of complicated surgical procedures performed by Dr. Shepherd, such as the double-barrel brain bypass and conjoined twin separation require the assistance of surgical technologists.
As members of the operating room team, surgical technologists are often responsible for preparing the operating room, setting up instruments and equipment, and getting patients ready for their procedures. During surgery, technologists work together with surgeons and nurses, supplying instruments, holding retractors, and cutting sutures. The vast majority of surgical technologists work in hospitals similar to Seattle Grace Hospital. Some are employed directly by surgeons with specialized surgical teams, such as the team assigned to the difficult and technical spinal surgery of Heather Douglas.
The Nursing Career
Although the surgeons in Grey's Anatomy certainly serve a vital function in the lives of their patients, they rely on other care providers for the majority of day to day health care operations. In nearly every episode, we are introduced to nurses that form the backbone of the medical system.
Over 2.4 million registered nurses are currently employed in the US, with over half of them working in hospitals. Many opportunities to become involved in surgical procedures exist for registered nurses, especially those with advanced medical degrees. For example, nurses specifically trained to assist surgeons are called perioperative nurses, and are often present during procedures on Grey's anatomy, handling instruments, suturing incisions, and controlling bleeding of patients. Nurse anesthetists also serve an important role, administering anesthesia and monitoring the patient's vital signs throughout the surgery.
Registered nurses must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass a national licensing examination in order to practice. An upgrade from registered nurse status to the Bachelor of Science in nursing can be completed through online nursing schools, and is an important professional move for many in the nursing career. More advanced nursing occupations, such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, require at least a Master's, which can be achieved through some online nursing degree programs.
A Bright McFuture
Job prospects for those pursing a career in health care are exceptional, according to projections from the US Department of Labor. There is currently a shortage of qualified medical workers that is predicted to worsen in coming years. Some experts fear that this shortage may eventually affect the quality and accessibility of quality health care. Even with the expert skills of the surgeons on Grey's Anatomy, patients cannot survive without the assistance of other health care workers. With a profitable and exciting health care career, your contribution can make a difference.
