Earning a degree in nursing or an education in Healthcare is an extremely wise decision in tough economic times. The creation of new jobs and job prospects are troubling in many areas during an economic recession. However, the health care industry is one industry that is currently enjoying substantial growth in available jobs as well as a need for new professionals across the United States.

If you are considering earning your degree in nursing or embarking on a career in a health care field, here are a few of the United State's fastest-growing fields.

Registered Nurses

Earning a degree in nursing will prepare you to enter the largest health care occupation in the United States, registered nurses currently hold more than 2.6 million jobs. Not only does earning a nursing degree prepare you to enter the largest health care occupation it also prepares you to enter one of the fastest growing profession in the nation. There are a number of factors contributing to the growth in this field including: a growing population of Baby Boomers and the increasing use of preventative health care as well as a high number of retiring experienced nurses.

The field of registered nurses is expected to generate more than 500,000 jobs over the next eight years, which is among the largest growth for any field or occupation.

Home Health Aides

There is a growing demand from the nation's aging population for home-based health services, which has triggered great demand for employment of home health aides. Individuals pursuing a degree in nursing or an education in health care will be preparing themselves to enter another occupation that is projected to grow by more than 300,000 jobs over the next seven years.

Home health aides are being hired in record numbers due to an increase in efforts to reduce costs by moving individuals out of hospitals as quickly as possible. Individuals, who earn a degree in nursing, are hired as home health aides and implement their education to provide a variety of health-related services to help elderly or disabled persons to remain in their homes.

Medical Assistants

The field of medical assistants is also one of the United States' fastest-growing occupations. Individuals earning a degree in nursing or other health care education are ideal candidates for a career as a medical assistant. Medical assistants are expected to perform a number of clinical and administrative duties as directed by a physician. These duties include but are not limited to maintaining records, scheduling appointments, administering medication and recording medical histories.

The field of medical assistants is expected to created more than 90,000 job openings annually. Students, who earn a degree in nursing or education in health care, will be preparing themselves to enter a field that is one of the fastest-growing in the United States. This field is expected to grow due to the need to replace workers who are retiring or leaving the field as well as the creation of a large number of new positions. Those who are have earned a degree in nursing or an education in health care should have the best opportunities to obtain a job.

Earning a degree in nursing or an education in health care not only prepares you to enter these fields but also any of the other rapidly growing fields of health care. Pursuing a degree in nursing or health care is an investment in your future and will prepare you to enter some of the fastest-growing industries in the nation.