Scalpel, Please — Wrist to Risk Predictions

003: Wearable predictability, job markets, and evening TV

“Surgeons can cut out everything except cause.”
― Herbert M. Shelton

The First Cut

While everyone else is worrying about robots replacing their jobs, healthcare keeps beating to its own rhythm. Sure, AI is coming—but if you're aiming for stability, meaning, and upward mobility, this field still delivers.

According to U.S. News, here are the top healthcare jobs heading into 2025—ranked by projected growth, salary potential, and future prospects. It’s a lineup worth noting, especially for those looking to enter medicine without committing to a full MD.

• #1 Nurse Practitioner
  Projected growth of 46% between 2023–2033

• #2 Physician Assistant
  5.5% increase in median salary from 2023 to 2024—on a steady climb

• #18 Registered Nurse
  Job satisfaction climbed to 52% in 2023, up from 36% the year prior

• #42 Surgical Technologist
  Low-cost entry with a median salary of $62,830

• #45 Paramedic
  6% job growth projected through 2033—above the national average

But here’s the flip side: if these alternatives are gaining traction, what’s happening with med school?