If findings from a survey of teenagers on their interest in pursuing a career in healthcare are any indication, the U.S. may have to look elsewhere to ensure that its healthcare workforce is staffed up. Don't be surprised if America's hospitals and health systems continue to rely on doctors and nurses from abroad to keep running.
Although the healthcare industry is among the fastest growing in the country and is projected to create 3.2 million new jobs between 2008 and 2018, many teenagers seem to have no interest in a healthcare career. Nearly half of high school-age students (45 percent of 13- to 18-year-olds) are simply not interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or the sciences, according to findings from a May survey conducted by online pollster Harris Interactive.
Students who expressed disinterest seem to be intimidated by the healthcare and science. For example:
- 21 percent feel they are not good at healthcare and science subjects in school.
- One in five do not feel prepared to study healthcare or science in college.
- Twelve percent feel getting a healthcare degree would be too hard.
To learn more:
- read the press release from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Harris Interactive
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