Six reasons why health sciences careers are perfect for adults going back to school

You're not the same person you were at 18. You've worked, you've managed bills and responsibilities, you may have even raised kids, cared for aging parents, or supported yourself through difficult times. You’ve gained maturity, and that is exactly what makes healthcare a perfect second career for adults.

If you've ever considered a career in healthcare, but thought it might be too late to get started, think again. A health science program at a career college is well worth your time and money. Here are six reasons why: 

1. Healthcare is (still) booming

The U.S. healthcare system continues to expand rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare is one of the fastest-growing job sectors, due to an aging population that will need more health services the longer they live. This trend is expected to continue for the next 20 years, which means you’d be entering a job market with decades-long structural growth.

2. Fast training and fast employment

Some healthcare programs at career colleges, like phlebotomy or massage therapy, can be completed in under a year. Others, like Licensed Practical Nursing, dental hygiene, and diagnostic medical sonography take less than two. 

Graduating quickly matters for adult learners who can’t practically afford to spend four years in school. And after graduation, you’ll find many healthcare employers value your maturity and life experience. Many career colleges offer career placement support, and it isn’t uncommon for health sciences students to get connected with local employers before they even graduate.

3. Strong salaries

You're not going back to school just to make the same money you’re making now. Fortunately, many healthcare positions offer a solid income. Here’s what just some health careers earned in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): $62,340 median annual wage

• Registered Nurse (RN): $93,600 median wage

• Surgical Technologist: $53,630 median wage

• Respiratory Therapist: $67,450 median wage

• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: $76,580 median wage

4. Job security and transferability

Even economic recessions and pandemics don't eliminate the demand for healthcare professionals. When every other industry contracts, people still need medical care, which means your job is protected in ways many others aren't.

Plus, healthcare jobs feel especially stable because they’re essentially portable. You don’t have to worry about not being able to find a job if you need to move. Every city in every state needs nurses, respiratory therapists, surgical techs, and sonographers.

5. It's meaningful work

You're returning to school to create a better life financially and emotionally, and a healthcare degree can help you get there. Healthcare work is intrinsically meaningful. You're helping people during vulnerable times. 

For many adults changing careers, this sense of meaning feels transformative. After years in disconnected, meaningless jobs, it’s amazing to go home from a shift knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

6. You can balance school and life

Health sciences programs at a lot of our partner schools are built around flexible scheduling options, including evening and online components (depending on the program). And hospitals operate 24/7, so the flexibility doesn’t end once you start working. If day shifts don't work with your family schedule, you can work nights or weekends … often at higher pay due to shift differentials.

So what now?

If you haven’t yet chosen a specific healthcare career path, that’s the best place to start. Take your time and learn about your options and what each one means for your education and your job prospects. For example, medical assisting and phlebotomy are quick entry points into the field, whereas sonography, surgical technology, and respiratory therapy programs take longer but are generally higher-paying. 

Next, choose a school. Start by exploring Imagine America partner schools in your area. You can filter by state and program until you find the career college that best fits your needs and goals. 

Then, apply for the Imagine America Foundation's Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) scholarship. It's offered specifically to help adult students like you bridge the gap between federal aid and tuition costs.

Finally, and most importantly, believe in yourself and don’t give up. You're not too late to change your life. You're mature, motivated and ready to work … which means you’re exactly who healthcare needs.