How to Choose the Right Career in Healthcare
Choosing the right career for you is no simple task. After all, there are so many options out there, it can be an overwhelming experience. Plus, the pressures of finding an industry that you enjoy can see yourself residing in for many years to come and make enough money from can cause the calmest and most collected of us to feel stressed and out of our depths. The last thing that we want to do is see ourselves stuck in a job that we dislike because it paid well or be stuck in a job that doesn’t pay enough.
If you are unsure of what career speaks out to you and are looking at all the options available to you, you may have considered the healthcare industry for a potential career. There are many benefits to working in healthcare, and if you possess the right characteristics and traits, it could be a career that you love.
The healthcare industry offers a variety of job types. So, if you are unsure, take a look at all the jobs that the industry can offer you. For instance, you could become:
- A nurse
- A doctor
- A surgeon
- Therapist
- Pharmacy technician
- Home health aide
- Dental assistant
- Pharmacist
- Emergency medical technician
The list can seem quite endless, meaning there are ample opportunities and a job that will suit you if you wish to spend your life caring for the general public and safeguarding the population’s health. Yet, this can also pose the same issue of, ‘Which career in healthcare is right for me?’.
If you are looking to start a career in healthcare, whether you are a soon-to-be high school graduate or someone who is older and in full-time employment, looking to switch careers, the following guide is here to aid you in finding the ideal career in healthcare for you.
Make a List of Wants and Needs:
What is it that makes you tick? What do you want out of your job; how do you wish to spend your time; and what is it you need to do for you to feel fulfilled? Ask yourself these questions and see what answers spring to mind. Ideally, you won’t think too hard, as the first thoughts that pop into your head can speak volumes and truly highlight what it is that you need and want from your career.
Once you have created a list of wants and needs, you need to shorten the list if it has become too long. You may also need to compromise on certain ‘wants’ if they seem too unattainable and unrealistic. You could even create a list that highlights all the things that you do not want and that are ‘hard no’ when it comes to a career. For instance, you may not want to travel for work.
Research the Industry:
The healthcare industry, as previously stated, has a lot of roles available. Therefore, you need to research each role and see what it truly means to work in that line of work. The healthcare industry, as you will find out, offer many benefits. For instance, you can enjoy job security as it is a profession that is usually always in demand, and you also have the benefit of working within a tight-knit team which will sometimes feel like a family to you. However, there are also numerous stresses of working in the healthcare industry such as having to occasionally deal with difficult patients, handle difficult situations such as the death of a patient, and unusual and long working hours (e.g., night shifts).
Look at Job Specifications and See What Interests You Most:
Looking at the job specifications of each role may take you some time, but it is the best way to gain valuable insight into what the job entails so that you can make a logical and sound decision. After all, applying to medical school and medical training can be an expensive and long process. Therefore, you want to ensure that you are working towards a job that meets your requirements.
Here is a list of the most common jobs in healthcare. Take a look and see whether any of these stand out to you.
Consider the Qualifications that You Already Possess:
If you are a high schooler, then your qualifications may be limited. You will need to decide which subjects can work towards obtaining a spot at a university that offers you the course that can help you enroll in medical school. Remember, the road to becoming a fully trained physician or nurse can belong, and once you have completed your studies, passed your exams, and completed your residency, you will still need to undergo ongoing training to ensure that you stay at the top of your game and continue to be an industry expert.
What is so great about the healthcare industry, however, is that you are able to specialize in a subject that truly interests you. Plus, you can study for a master’s that can also help you secure a job with more responsibility and a larger pay packet. Marymount University offers MSN programs that can help you (a registered nurse) specialize as a family nurse practitioner, for example.
Look for Areas of Improvement:
Do you already work in healthcare but are wondering what your next steps should be? If so, you should consider if there are any rooms for improvement. This can help you progress your career and allow you to gain better job satisfaction, too. The best way to improve yourself is to see whether there are any relevant courses or training options available to you, as well as potentially completing a Masters’s.
The healthcare industry offers a variety of exciting and rewarding professions. However, you will want to ensure that you are selecting the right healthcare career before you apply for medical school. You can do this by researching all options available to you.
