Not sure of what field to go with

Ok so I just started a community college. I know that I want to go into healthcare but i'm not sure of which way to go. At first I wanted to go with nursing but I changed my mind, well i'm on the fence. But now i'm starting to research other things but i need a little help from people who have a better idea or rather knowledge than I do, like someone who does any of these things for a living. I wanna do something that I will enjoy for years to come and something that I will be able to live off of, support my family, and spend time with my kids being a single parent. Here are my choices Respiratory Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, or Physical Therapist. Anyway it goes I enjoy helping people,Thanks in advance....

There is a challenge when it comes to helping people while making a living.

AusarC in Ellsworth, Kansas said: There is a challenge when it comes to helping people while making a living.

I mean I know there is a challenge with any line of work and your dealing with people, and I'm not afraid of that. I want to help others that cannot help themselves, but i want to do something that at the end of my day i'm happy with what i have done. But also because i have 2 children i don't want to be over worked like a nurse, but not under paided either. Now don't get me wrong it's not only the pay but i need to be able to eat a well, if you understand where i'm coming from.

RT is a great field to be in, but the job market right now is really in the toilet. The work is rewarding though, and the pay isn't bad (roughly $55,000/yr in California), and that's not including OT.

PT (physical therapist) is a Master's Degree program, so be sure you'll have plenty of patience for that.

I suggest researching more about these fields. Choosing a career isn't easy, and it takes serious planning. Be sure you want to be in the medical field also.

Of course I understand where you're coming from. I was just playing ...advocate. you definitely have a heart for people. I was just trying to point out how hard it is sometime to balance making a living and helping people.

I understand AusarC. Jobless RT is RT really down the tubes, geez well that crosses that out! How long have you been unemployed for??? PT is out too I guess I don't have the time for all of that schooling if that's the case I might as well do nursing as orginally planned. i'm trying to do research tho. Thanks!

Hairlova in Brooklyn, New York said: I understand AusarC. Jobless RT is RT really down the tubes, geez well that crosses that out! How long have you been unemployed for??? PT is out too I guess I don't have the time for all of that schooling if that's the case I might as well do nursing as orginally planned. i'm trying to do research tho. Thanks!

It's not down the tubes... it's just the economy is so bad, it's hard finding a job, in ANY careerfield, not just RTs.

I've only been out of school for a couple months, but I have 2 jobs in line hopefully in the next 2 weeks.

I'm sure that in 2 years, the economy will be much better and more jobs will be available.

I've been on the job search now for two months. I had to make a game of it to keep from getting discourage. However, I think that the key is to make yourself marketable. ...Well, I guess that what's going to school and getting the credentials is all about. It probably is a matter of getting one's foot in the door, and then study/learn as you grow. What ya think?