If you want to pursue a medical career or find a medical job, start early by taking up medical courses. While getting medical education is twice as expensive as taking a business course, there are scholarship programs and educational assistance offered by government and private institutions. You just have to know how to locate them, offline and online.

Those who would like to avail of scholarships, there are several programs that offer tuition, tuition with living expenses and loan repayment. You may contact the Rural Recruitment and Retention Net-work, the National Rural Health Association and the Rural Information Center (800-633-7701) for information and guidance.

Presently, there are more than 80 state-sponsored programs for scholarships, loan forgiveness and loan repayment for medical workers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants and other allied medical professions. Contact your state department of health, the Rural Assistance Center or the National Health Service Corps for information and resources.