Careers in the Health Professions
What do they do?
They examine the patient for broken bones, ulcers, tumors, diseases, or malfunctions of various organs through the production of consistently high-quality radiographs (x-rays) ready for the radiologist’s interpretation.
Where do they work?
Hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, public health service agencies, and private industries.
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for radiographer was $70,240 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Radiation therapists deliver daily radiation treatments to cancer patients to ensure the treatments are accurately and safely administered.
Where do they work?
Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers.
What is their salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for radiation therapist was $98,340 in May 2022.
What do they do?
They image organs, tissues and vessels to be imaged with high frequency sound waves emitted into the body. These waves bounce off tissues and send back “echoes” that are converted into images. The most common sonograms are of fetuses, body organs, blood vessels, and soft tissue structures.
Where do they work?
Hospitals, physician’s offices, and medical laboratories
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for sonographer was $84,410 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Nuclear medicine technologists administer small amounts of radioactive pharmaceuticals into the patient. The radiation emitted by the body is detected by specialized equipment, which converts the radiation measurements to images which are used to detect abnormalities.
Where do they work?
Hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, public health service agencies, and private industries.
What is their salary?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median annual wage for nuclear medicine technologists was $89,610 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians help diagnose and treat blood vessel and heart diseases.
Where do they work?
Hospitals and physician groups who diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases and work within cardiac catheterization departments, electrophysiology laboratories, and angiography departments.
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were $65,490 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Medical laboratory scientists, often called medical scientists, are vital healthcare detectives, uncovering and providing laboratory information from laboratory analyses that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as in disease monitoring or prevention (maintenance of health). They use sophisticated biomedical instrumentation and technology, computers, and methods requiring manual dexterity to perform laboratory testing on blood and body fluids. Medical laboratory science professionals generate accurate laboratory data that are needed to aid in detecting cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, infectious mononucleosis, and identification of bacteria or viruses that cause infections, as well as in detecting drugs of abuse. In addition, we monitor testing quality and consult with other members of the healthcare team.
Where do they work?
The medical laboratory scientist typically works in a hospital setting but can also work in medical and diagnostic laboratories or doctor’s offices.
What is their salary?
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that medical laboratory scientists earned a median annual wage worth $59,130 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Respiratory therapists are board-certified healthcare professionals who treat and help diagnose patients with respiratory/breathing disorders, and also play a vital role in administering life-saving interventions such as acquiring and maintaining artificial airways and manage mechanical ventilation life-support equipment.
Where do they work?
Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, long-term acute-care hospital (LTAC), home health care and DME, physicians offices, pulmonary function labs, pulmonary rehabilitation clinics, sleep labs, hospice care, sales and marketing of healthcare equipment, research and educational institutions.
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapist was $74,310 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have the expertise to help individuals with a variety of communication disorders. SLPs may work with individuals with developmental delays, such as autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy; language-learning disabilities; stuttering; and speech sound production errors, such as a “lisp.” SLPs also routinely assist in the recoveries of people who have had head injuries, strokes, and cancers of the head and neck. Others who benefit from these services are individuals learning English as a second language and those who seek to improve their communication skills for the corporate world. SLPs assist individuals of all ages by working with them and their families in their schools, their hospitals, their homes… anywhere they need communication facilitation.
Where do they work?
Speech language pathologists may work in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health care, and private practices.
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for speech language pathologists was $89,460 in May 2022.
What do they do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists review patient’s medical history and any referrals or notes from doctors or surgeons, diagnose patient’s dysfunctional movements by observing them stand or walk and by listening to their concerns, among other methods, set up a plan of care for patients, outlining the patient’s goals and the expected outcome of the plan, use exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further pain or injury, and facilitate health and wellness, evaluate a patient’s progress, modifying a plan of care and trying new treatments as needed, and educate patients and their families about what to expect from and how best to cope with the recovery process. A doctoral degree must be earned and a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination in order to become a physical therapist.
Where do they work?
Private practice and rehabilitation centers.
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for physical therapists was $97,960 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate educate patients and the community about various health conditions and provide support to patients and their families.
Where do they work?
The registered nurse works in hospitals, home healthcare services, doctor’s offices, schools and nursing care facilities.
What is their salary?
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that registered nurses earned a median annual wage worth $89,010 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate educate patients and the community about various health conditions and provide support to patients and their families.
Where do they work?
The nurse practitioner works in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, and clinics.
What is their salary?
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that registered nurses earned a median annual wage worth $124,680 in May 2022.
What do they do?
A career in health informatics will have you working alongside professionals who use thoughtfully designed, implemented and managed health information systems to improve the health of individuals, groups and populations. You’ll support research, manage clinical workflow tasks, control health information databases and improve healthcare information security.
Where do they work?
Hospitals, offices of physicians, the private sector and nursing care facilities.
What is their salary?
Data from the BLS shows health information technicians earned a median annual pay worth $65,280 in May 2022.
What do they do?
A career in health informatics will have developing fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover.
Where do they work?
Hospitals, physical therapy offices, fitness center and clinics
What is their salary?
Data from the BLS shows health information technicians earned a median annual pay worth $55,820 in May 2022.
What do they do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health services administrators work to improve efficiency and quality in delivering healthcare services, keep up to date on new laws and regulations so that the facility in which they work complies with them, supervise assistant administrators in facilities that are large enough to need them, manage the finances of the facility, such as patient fees and billing, create work schedules, represent the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards, keep and organize records of the facility’s services, such as the number of inpatient beds used, and communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads.
Where do they work?
The administration and management of health care programs in a variety of settings, including hospitals, group practices, the private sector, the health and fitness industry, sales, gerontology, and public health.
What is their salary?
Data from the BLS shows that medical and health services managers earned a median annual pay worth $115,160 in May 2022
What do they do?
They advise people on what to eat in order to achieve a specific health-related goal or live a healthy lifestyle.
Where do they work?
Dietitians and nutritionist work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, cafeterias, and for state and local governments.
What is their salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for radiographer was $69,350 in May 2022.
What do they do?
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
Where do they work?
Athletic trainers may work in a variety of settings such as college, universities, elementary schools, hospitals, fitness centers, for professional sports teams, and physician offices.
What is their salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for athletic trainers was $57,810 in May 2022.
Scholarship Opportunities
Hospital Authority of Bulloch County
Students must be from Bulloch County and are majoring in a health related program of study. $800
Jennifer McLaughlin Scholarship
The Jennifer McLaughlin Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are health care majors within the College and demonstrate excellence in advocating for or assisting a patient through challenging health care experience. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Amount varies each year.
Joseph A. and Marilyn M. Buck Leadership Endowment
The Joseph A. and Marilyn M. Buck Leadership Endowment is awarded to an undergraduate student who have a declared major in the Waters College of Health Professions. The student must show exemplary character and leadership qualities and be enrolled full-time with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater. Amount varies each year.
Phyllis R. Schmidt Scholarship
The Phyllis R. Schmidt Scholarship is awarded to a raising junior or senior student enrolled in a program in the Waters College of Health Professions with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to applicants with unmet financial need. Amount varies each year.
Abbie DeLoach Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the traditional BSN program. Award is based on GPA and financial need.
Abbie Lorene DeLoach Memorial Nursing/Kappa Delta Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits). Four scholarships will be awarded each year. Two recipients must be active members of Kappa Delta Sorority at Georgia Southern University and two recipients must have current permanent resident in the Savannah area (Chatham or surrounding counties).
Albert Deal Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits). Award is based on GPA and financial need.
Auxiliary of East Georgia Regional Medical Center Nursing Scholarship
Auxiliary of East Georgia Regional Medical Center sponsors four (4) full-year scholarships in the amount of $2,000.00 each. Recipients receive $1,000.00 Fall Semester and same recipients receive $1,000.00 Spring Semester.
- Recipients must be enrolled in the Prelicensure Nursing Program.
- Recipients must be either a Junior II or Senior I.
- Recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Recipients must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours.)
- First preference given to Bulloch County residents who have graduated from a high school in Bulloch County or have maintained residency in Bulloch County for five years prior to being accepted into the School of Nursing Program to obtain a BSN degree at Georgia Southern University.
- If, in a given year, Bulloch County residents are not found, scholarships may be designated to residents who have graduated from a high school in any of the following surrounding counties or have maintained residency in any of these counties for five years prior to being accepted into the School of Nursing Program to obtain a BSN degree at Georgia Southern University: Bryan, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Jenkins, Screven, Tattnall, or Toombs.
Bernadette T. Mesi Memorial Scholarship in Nursing
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 5 credits) in a graduate nursing program.
Bhatia Foundation Scholarship: Nursing
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) and be a resident of Bryan or Chatham County. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Caitlyn Baggett Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the traditional BSN program. Award based on GPA and financial need.
Catherine McKay Pittman Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the traditional BSN program. Award based on GPA and financial need.
Cathryn Barnett Shriver Presidential Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in an undergraduate nursing program (BSN/RN-BSN/LPN-BSN/ABSN) on the Armstrong or Liberty campuses. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be age 25 years old or older. Award based on GPA and financial need.
Curtis G. Hames Nursing Scholarship
- Resident within these 43 counties of East Georgia: Appling, Bacon, Benhill, Bleckley, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Columbia, Dodge, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Liberty, Long, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Pulaski, Screven, Richmond, Telfair, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, & Wheeler
- BSN students enrolled full time (minimum of 12 credit hours) in a nursing program; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
- RN/BSN undergraduate students enrolled full time (minimum of 12 credit hours) in a nursing program; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
- MSN or PhD/EdD graduate students enrolled full time (minimum of 5 credit hours); cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
- Demonstrated leadership ability in high school/college, community activities or excellent employment record
- Evidence of financial need
David Boston and Ella Courtenay Morgan Endowment
- Enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program (BSN/RN-BSN/LPN-BSN/ABSN)
- Must be enrolled on the Armstrong or Liberty Campuses
Emily Clark Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the traditional BSN program. Award based on GPA and financial need.
Fleming D. Roach, MD Nursing Scholarship
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Resident of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina
Gwen Kicklighter Butler Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Applicant must be admitted into the School of Nursing
- Applicant must have demonstrated financial need
- Applicant must be enrolled full time and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
Irene Etheridge Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program (BSN/RN-BSN/LPN-BSN/ABSN)
- Must be female
- Must be enrolled on the Armstrong or Liberty Campuses
- History of successful employment (in any area)
- Award based on GPA and financial need
Joe W. Franklin and Bertha D. Franklin Memorial Scholarship
- Resident of Georgia
- Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Enrolled full time in the undergraduate or graduate program
Kathryn Burton Olliff Scholarship
- Full-time study is required (minimum of 12 credits)
- Award based on GPA and financial need
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship
The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation is a charitable, private foundation dedicated to the educational support of needy women. The foundation has provided a scholarship grant to Georgia Southern University for deserving female students accepted into Georgia Southern School of Nursing.
- Applicant must be formally admitted into the BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, or DNP Program
- Applicant must be female
- Applicant must have demonstrated financial need
- Applicant must be a legal resident of one of the following southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia
- Applicant must profess to be of the Christian faith
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mary Witt Wexler, USAF Nurse Corps Memorial Scholarship
- Enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program (BSN/RN-BSN/LPN-BSN/ABSN)
- Must be enrolled on the Armstrong or Liberty Campuses
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
Margaret L. Bailey Memorial Scholarship in Nursing
- Enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program (BSN/RN-BSN/LPN-BSN/ABSN)
- Must be enrolled on the Armstrong or Liberty Campuses
Marguerite Marie (Pearl) Weisenfeld Scholarship
- Full time study is required (minimum of 12 credits)
- Award based on GPA & financial need
Morgan Bass Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the traditional BSN program. Award based on GPA and financial need.
The Road (Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s Disease) Foundation Nursing Scholarship
- Full-time study is required (minimum of 12 credits)
- Must express an interest in gerontological nursing
- 4 awards are given annually: 2 students enrolled on the Statesboro Campus and 2 students enrolled on the Armstrong Campus
- Award based on GPA and financial need
Winifred Case Karnosky Nursing Scholarship
- Enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program (BSN/RN-BSN/LPN-BSN/ABSN)
- Must be enrolled on the Armstrong or Liberty Campuses
- Must be a US citizen
- Award based on GPA and financial need
Aimee Gunnoe Scholarship
Enter This scholarship is awarded to a senior Athletic Training major to help offset the cost of their certification exam. The scholarship is named in honor of Aimee Gunnoe, former clinical athletic training faculty member killed in an automobile accident in April 2002. Amount varies each year.
Christine Elizabeth Johnson, Ph.D., Scholarship
The purpose of the award is to recognize a student with an outstanding academic record in the HPE program who also shows a strong commitment to the profession. Priority is given to female students from minority groups with GPA’s over a 3.0 in major coursework. Amount varies each year.
Coach J.E. Rowe Scholarship
Applicants for the Coach J.E. Rowe Scholarship must be currently pursuing a career in coaching or coaching field and may be currently active on staff at Georgia Southern pursuing a career in athletics. Applicants involved in Athletics are preferred. Applicants must have demonstrated financial need. Amount varies each year.
Dr. Willie J. Burden Scholarship
Presented to undergraduates with a major in sport management who have demonstrated outstanding leadership activities in scholarship, athletics, or campus/community service who exemplifies good character. Two $750 scholarships are awarded each fall to undergraduate sport management students.
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship-Allied Health
Presented to students who have declared a major within the Water College of Health Professions and have unmet financial need. Applicants must reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. Amount varies each year.
Lori Mobley Athletic Training Scholarship
The scholarship is available to rising juniors who are pursuing degrees in athletic training. Applicants must be from the Southeast Athletic Training Association’s designated areas, which include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands may be considered. Amount varies each year.
Sandra L. Gallemore Endowment
Presented to graduate students preferably in physical education/kinesiology or a related field of study for professional development opportunities. Preference is given to graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education. Second preference is given to any graduate student pursuing any emphasis within the MS Kinesiology degree. Amount varies each year.
Sharyn D. Gibson Memorial Scholarship
The Sharyn D. Gibson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a senior student admitted to any of the programs in the Radiologic Sciences program. Student must be in good standing. Amount varies each year.
Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (SDS)
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program provides scholarships to full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Science program.
Cynthia Howard Scholarship
The Cynthia Howard Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate junior or senior students majoring in respiratory therapy who conduct research on interstitial lung diseases or pulmonary fibrotic disease. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Amount varies each year.
Thomas Spencer McCormick Presidential Scholarship
The Thomas Spencer McCormick Presidential Scholarship was founded in 2006 by Mrs. Jeanne McCormick in memory of her late husband, Thomas McCormick. Mr. McCormick was a client at the RiteCare Center following a stroke in 2004, until his passing in October 2005. This scholarship endowed in his memory is awarded to two graduate students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program each spring based on academic/clinical merit and financial need.
Donna R. Brooks Endowment
The Donna R. Brooks Endowment is awarded to an undergraduate, full-time student majoring in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). The student must be a graduate of a public high school within the GA counties of Chatham, Effingham, Byran, Liberty, Tattnall or Toombs. The student must have minimum GPA of 3.0 and unmet financial need equal to or greater than the scholarship amount. To be eligible, the student may not have received this scholarship previously. Amount varies each year.
Hammond for Hope Scholarship II
The Hammond for Hope Scholarship II is awarded for the purpose of providing financial assistance to one graduate student enrolled int he Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Amount: $5,000 per year.
Morris Slotin Physical Therapy Scholarship
The Morris Slotin Physical Therapy Scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the Physical Therapy program and entering a the field of physical therapy as a second career. The student must demonstrate outstanding performance in the academic and clinical curriculum. Amount varies each year.