Learn healthcare with online courses

Essential healthcare skills

• Communication: Clear, compassionate verbal and written communication is essential to support patient education, care coordination, and safety.
• Critical Thinking: Healthcare workers must analyze information, prioritize needs, and make sound decisions quickly, especially in fast-paced or high-stakes environments.
• Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, managing workloads, and meeting patient care deadlines are vital in clinical and non-clinical roles alike.
• Adaptability: Healthcare workers must be able to adapt to shifting protocols, new technologies, and diverse patient needs. This allows them to deliver effective care in changing environments.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Coordinated care among providers depends on effective collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, respect for scopes of practice, and sharing of responsibilities.

How long does it take to learn healthcare?

Learning healthcare can take anywhere from a few months to over a decade, depending on your role and career goals. Certificate programs like medical assisting may take less than one year, while becoming a physician can require more than 10 years of education and training.

Factors like your chosen specialty, required licensure, and on-the-job experience impact the timeline. Mastery in healthcare often takes years of clinical practice beyond formal training. Continuous learning is essential in this evolving field.

Jobs in healthcare

Find jobs you can pursue in healthcare below, with salary and job outlook data from the BLS.

Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans. They can serve as primary care providers across the lifespan or specialize in a particular area of medicine. NPs blend clinical expertise with health education to improve outcomes and promote wellness in diverse populations.

• Education requirements: Master's or doctoral degree in nursing
• License and certification requirements: Active registered nurse (RN) and nurse practitioner (NP) licenses issued by the state
• Median annual earnings (2024): $129,210
• Job outlook (2023-33): +46%

Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals of all ages recover, develop, or maintain skills needed for daily living and working. They assess patient needs and create personalized therapy plans. OTs assist those managing illnesses, injuries, or disabilities by teaching them adaptive techniques, exercises, and using assistive technology.

• Education requirements: Master's degree in occupational therapy
• License and certification requirements: Occupational therapy license issued by the state.
• Median annual earnings (2024): $98,340
• Job outlook (2023-33): +11%

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study patterns, causes, and effects of health conditions in populations. They collect data, analyze trends, and guide public health decisions. Their work supports disease prevention, outbreak response, and health policy by identifying risk factors and evaluating interventions.

• Education requirements: Master's degree in public health
• License and certification requirements: A medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) license may be required for clinical work.
• Median annual earnings (2024): $83,980
• Job outlook (2023-33): +19%

Medical and health services managers

Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate healthcare services in hospitals, clinics, or departments. They improve efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, manage budgets, and oversee staff. Their leadership helps facilities deliver high-quality patient care and adapt to changing healthcare laws and technologies.

• Education requirements: At least a bachelor's degree in health administration. Some positions require a master's degree in health administration.
• License and certification requirements: Some positions may require an RN or social work license.
• Median annual earnings (2024): $117,960
• Job outlook (2023-33): +29%

Your next steps on edX

1. Take a healthcare course on edX to build foundational knowledge in areas like basic anatomy, global public health, or medical terminology.
2. Enroll in a degree program when you are ready to pursue a long-term career in healthcare or need a credential for licensure or certification.
3. Advance your career by sharpening specialized skills in health administration, health policy, or healthcare informatics through professional certificate programs on edX.
4. Become a healthcare expert with executive education from top universities — ideal for current and aspiring leaders aiming to drive innovation, shape healthcare policy, or manage complex systems.

Last updated June 23, 2025