Perform an online search for colleges that offer healthcare programs that interest you, such as ones for a physician's assistant, registered nurse, x-ray technician or surgeon.
Request program and application information from several colleges so that you can compare program requirements, tuition and job placement rates for a particular school's graduates. Also check that colleges and programs have proper accreditation, which ensures they have met certain educational and procedural standards.
Complete and submit your college applications. Some items you may need to submit include SAT scores, your grade point average (GPA), an application fee and/or an essay.
Make your tuition arrangements so that you have an idea of how much money you may need to pay for each class and housing, if necessary. Calculate how much you will need to spend on additional items such as books and lab materials. Apply for scholarships, grants or loans as necessary.
Enroll in classes upon acceptance to the school that you plan on attending. All degree programs have specific graduation requirements, with some classes serving as required and others as electives. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to choose your schedule and take electives first and then move onto required, or core, classes as you progress in the program. Consult your college advisor for any questions you have regarding your schedule, especially if you are a non-traditional student who attends part-time and needs flexible scheduling.
Attend and complete the courses as required. General classes may include anatomy, psychology and biology. Classes may advance in difficulty as your program progresses, especially if you pursue a specialized program such as neurosurgery. Additionally, you may need to complete an internship and/or residency as part of your program.
Take your license examinations as specified by your program. Some occupations such as general medical office assistants may not require a license; however, occupations such as dentists, physicians or registered nurses require licenses. Additionally, you will need to take any necessary continuing education to maintain your license. This ensures that you stay current with industry standards for your specific career.
Adhere to your state's requirements for various functions on your job. Each state may have specific guidelines that allow you to perform additional duties on your job. For example, the Dental Assisting National Board requires special certification in some states for dental assistants who operate x-ray equipment.