Choosing a career can be difficult, especially if you have never had the opportunity to explore the various options. Many people get stuck in jobs they don’t like and spend their entire life doing something they feel is wrong.
Most people want to discover what they enjoy doing, but when it comes to healthcare, there are plenty of reasons why this is an interesting option. This article will explore some of the top benefits that come with being a part of this industry.
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What Kind of Training Do You Need for a Career in Healthcare?
Many people think that healthcare careers need lots of training to get started. You don’t have to be an engineer or a doctor to work in the industry. You just have to do your research and choose the career that’s right for you.
There are different types of careers available within the healthcare industry. From the clinical career paths like doctors and nurses to the more administrative career paths like human resources managers, it’s easy to find a job that fits your personality.
If you are looking for a fast-track option that allows you to see immediate results, consider becoming a certified nursing assistant and assisting nurses in hospitals.
The field of healthcare is constantly changing and improving, but the role of a certified nursing assistant is always necessary. You won’t need to worry about becoming outdated because you will be able to expand your skills and knowledge throughout your career.
Higher Careers in the Healthcare Field
If you want to work in a career in which you will continuously develop, consider a higher career path in healthcare.
There are many post-graduate roles within healthcare, and taking post-masters programs like the post master’s FNP qualification can boost not only your knowledge but also your earnings potential. Find out more about this exciting role by clicking here.
The post master’s FNP route is popular because it’s an option that allows you to move from a lower wage to a higher wage. Post-graduate roles also tend to be limited, which makes them even more valuable for those who are looking for a secure career path.
What Are Some of the Benefits of Being a Part of the Healthcare Field?
Career versatility is one of the best benefits when it comes to working in healthcare. With so many options, you can choose to start at any point during your career and switch from one option to another if you want.
For example, if you are a nurse, you can choose to work in pediatrics, the emergency room, or the surgery room. The same goes for doctors; they have an array of different options that include neurosurgery or obstetrics. No matter what role you choose, each job will have its own benefits and drawbacks that come with it.
Healthcare careers also reward hard work, and the pay is good. If you prove yourself to be dedicated and loyal to your job, you will be rewarded for this. Due to the nature of the industry, healthcare professionals are often able to negotiate their wages to make sure they are being paid fairly for their experience.
The Challenges of Working in Healthcare
There are also a few challenges that come with healthcare jobs. The hours can be long, which means that you won’t get much time to yourself to spend with family or friends.
This can be a problem if you have social commitments that need your attention during the day or week. As the working hours can be long, it’s important to be aware of how this will impact your personal life.
Some people don’t like the way that the healthcare industry is set up, and it reminds them too much of their corporate jobs. However, everyone has different priorities and reasons why they choose a career in healthcare, so it’s important to research this area fully before making any decisions.
Many people consider the career they have chosen as something they will never leave, but many decide to change careers, while others move into management-level positions to gain more experience and knowledge.
Regardless of your reason for moving into a healthcare-related career, you will find it rewarding as you work towards your goals.
What Health Professions Are Available?
When it comes to choosing your profession, there are so many options available to you. It’s important to understand that each job has its own set of challenges, just like it has its own set of benefits.
You will also want to consider your strengths and weaknesses before choosing a career path. For example, if you are a good communicator and enjoy helping others, then becoming a nurse or doctor is your best option. However, if you are more interested in being productive on your own instead of being in groups all day long, this is not the best career path for you to pursue.
Here are a few options you may want to consider:
Family Nurse Practitioner
As a family nurse practitioner, you will be able to treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries. Additionally, you will be able to refer patients to other specialists if they are not suitable for your treatment.
Family nurse practitioners can make house calls, which means you will be able to visit people in their own homes rather than schedule appointments at the hospital or clinic.
Pharmacist
If you are interested in working in a fast-paced profession that offers a lot of flexibility and autonomy, consider pursuing a career as a pharmacist. You will be able to work as part of a team or independently as needed by the pharmacy case manager.
The pharmacist role is also very popular, which means that the work will be plentiful as you can choose to work as much or as little as you need to. You may also be able to work independently if you choose, which will allow you greater flexibility and more time for other activities.
Physician Assistant
The physician’s assistant (also known as a physician’s associate) is a medical professional who has received specialized training that enables them to perform tasks that are within the scope of a licensed physician.
The professional works under the supervision and approval of a supervising physician and reports to that physician or another specific individual within their chain of command. In rare instances, they may report directly to an attending physician.
Physician
If you want to work as an independent doctor and your aim is to treat patients in the community, then you can pursue a career as a physician. You will be hired by hospitals, physicians’ offices, and private practices.
You will need the appropriate education and experience before accepting employment at these facilities.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners have an extensive role when it comes to providing care for patients who suffer from illnesses or injuries. As such, this is a very popular career in the healthcare field.
Like family nurse practitioners, nurse practitioners can provide care in the community and make house calls.
Clinical Lead
A typical clinical lead’s responsibilities include interacting with the patient and their family members, ensuring they are comfortable and experiencing minimal pain, and providing accurate information.
It is common for a clinical lead to need to provide training, mentoring, and development opportunities for other team members. They will also be responsible for ensuring that clinical treatment teams deliver consistent care.
Nurse Manager
Nurse managers have a similar role to that of a nurse, but they are responsible for developing staff and keeping on top of their department. They will be in charge of performance management and ensuring that the operation is running efficiently.
If you choose the career of a nurse manager, you will not be able to choose your own treatment, but you will have more control over the management of your department.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers often work in the medical, clinical, and aerospace industries working on projects related to health diagnostics and rehabilitation devices.
You will be responsible for designing devices and building prototypes in this career path. You will also be responsible for taking all necessary safety precautions when conducting research or testing a device.
Clinical Director
A clinical director has the same responsibilities as a clinical lead, but they are responsible directly to the CEO or the senior leadership team. This means they will report directly to the CEO, not the clinical lead.
They typically work independently and may be in charge of several departments at once, including finance, marketing/business development, human resources, risk management, quality improvement programs, etc.
Nurse Midwife
Nurse midwives may work at a hospital, but they often spend their time visiting patients at home to ensure they are doing well. They can perform deliveries and provide advice on healthy living.
Some nurse midwives will have a special interest in working with women who plan to have children later in life. To work as a nurse midwife, you must obtain the appropriate education and certifications.
Health Educator & Promotion Specialist
A health educator and promotion specialist has a very similar role to that of a clinical lead, but they may also be responsible for providing health education.
They may work independently, or they may work as part of a team. They will oversee the quality of care provided to patients by others, ensuring that they receive all necessary treatment and education.
How to Choose Which Path to Take?
As you can see, there are so many career paths within healthcare, and it can be difficult to know which is the right one for you. You may be able to see a pattern of which path is the best fit for you, but it is always a good idea to talk to experts (such as those in healthcare) who can give you advice and guidance.
Ideally, if your goal is to start your own practice or at least become an independent practitioner, working as a physician would be ideal.
If you want a career that offers more time for family and friends, having a role that involves working in the community may be better for you, as it will allow for house calls and less time spent in the office.
It is important to start preparing now so that you’re completely prepared and ready to go once your new career is underway.
To get started on making your own path, check out our guide on how to become a healthcare professional. Instead of becoming an RN or LPN, you could consider other careers like CNAs and more.
What Is the Economic Outlook for a Career in Healthcare?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in healthcare and medicine are projected to experience a growing demand over the next decade. This trend will likely be driven by a growing need for healthcare workers (including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical supervisors) and new technologies that are used during medical procedures.
Healthcare jobs are expected to grow faster than average in comparison to all occupations from 2014-2024. The healthcare economy is also expected to experience considerable demand for pharmacists as more people will require prescription medications.
If you want to join a career that has a good chance of becoming more in demand in the future, then a healthcare career is ideal.
The tools used to treat patients are constantly changing and advancing. In fact, new technologies will likely be required to keep up with the demand for new procedures and treatments.
Over the next decade or so, it is likely that new job opportunities will open up due to advancements in medical technology. Therefore, aspiring healthcare workers should join a career path with this type of growth potential (like physician assistants’ pharmacology).
Conclusion
For those looking to forge a career in healthcare, there are many options to choose from. You can find a rewarding and exciting career in many fields, such as nursing, allied health, and medicine itself.
If you’re still unsure which path is the best fit for you, speak with your friends, family, and trusted advisers for advice. It is always a good idea to network and talk to others about their experiences before making such a big decision.
Furthermore, for those who want more information about healthcare careers, including the training needed to enter them and their outlooks on the future of these fields, there’s no better source than your local healthcare recruiter.