Choosing a Career in Healthcare: What Do You Need to Know?
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The healthcare industry is one of the largest in the world, and with more than 200 occupations to choose from, it can be difficult to know which profession is best for you.Even if you have always wished to work in this sector, does it necessarily mean that this career route was meant for you?
Ideally, it would be best to find out more about the industry and the type of roles that are suited to you. As with any decision that we make in life, it's vital that you expose yourself to the right information when it comes to your career, and it will prevent you from making unnecessary mistakes. In this blog, we're going to provide you with some useful information on choosing a career in healthcare, and some of the important aspects that you need to think about.
- Understand what drives you
While many people work in healthcare with the dream of caring for others, there may be several other reasons which are influencing your desire to work in this industry. Do you enjoy science-based research? Is a high salary important to you? Can you work on a shift basis? These are also valid points to think about, which may help you determine whether a healthcare career is for you.Although caring for others is a fulfilling vocation, professionals in healthcare are known to suffer from high levels of stress and are often faced with emotionally challenging cases that can go on to impact their mental health. Having a strong resilience to cope in such a pressured environment is a necessity for any healthcare worker.
- Be aware of the level of education you will need
Diverse jobs in healthcare require various levels of education and experience. Prospective doctors and nurses will need to undergo several years of studying in order to earn a relevant degree for a career in the field.A family care nurse, for example, will need to study a BSN to MSN online program to learn skills such as ethical leadership and critical strategies on how to maintain health and limit the risk of disease.
You may need to comprehend how you're going to finance your course and balance your studies with other professional and personal commitments.Those who are academically minded may be keen to invest themselves in years of study, but if education isn't your strong point, there are several junior-level jobs that you can consider, which may provide a quick gateway into the healthcare industry.
- Get to know more about the industry
It's beneficial to have good all-round knowledge about the healthcare industry, so that you can make a well-informed decision on which sector is right for you. Start by getting familiar with the major trends and latest news, as well as gaining an understanding of how healthcare is set to develop in the coming years.
In doing so, you'll become acquainted with where your talents, interests, and skill set may lie in correlation with the emerging trends. You can use this information to create an eye-catching cover letter and use as good discussion points during an interview.
- Have the right skills
While healthcare is typically considered a general field, the variety of job roles means you may need to be equipped with specialist skills and traits. Despite this, there are a few common characteristics that are needed across all sectors, such as:
- Communication
- Organization
- Teamwork
- Independence
- Using initiative
- Emotional resilience
If you're someone who isn't afraid of a challenge, you'll be in your element in healthcare. Constant changes such as technological developments, new diseases, and new treatment options make for an unnerving yet exciting experience.
- Consider how it will impact your family life
A healthcare career is a
vocation, therefore, there is the possibility that your profession could overlap
with your personal life. Learning to switch off after a stressful shift isn't
always easy, and it's not uncommon for healthcare employees to take their work
worries home with them.
In some roles, you'll be expected to work evening shifts, weekends, and
potentially on call,
which can cause disruption when you have a busy family life. There may also be
occasions when you have to relocate due to the nature of your job. Despite
these potential cons that need to be prepared for, working in healthcare is
highly gratifying. If your family is understanding of your responsibilities, it
will make it much easier to juggle your work and personal life without
difficulty.
- Seek advice from professionals
After you've gained some
idea as to how you'd like your career to pan out, it's time to seek advice from
certified professionals. If you're finishing off a course or looking for job
openings, hiring a career service may be your best point of call to get on the
career ladder. Career service professionals work with a vast array of
individuals from different sectors, and will help tailor your résumé and cover
letter to healthcare-specific jobs.
Don't be afraid to reach out to friends and family members who also work in
healthcare. Inform them of your ambition to work in the sector and ask any
questions you have that may give you a clearer oversight of their role and what
to expect. Some examples include:
- What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
- Do you have job satisfaction?
- What obstacles do you encounter?
- How do you cope with shift work?
Don't forget to ask for information on whether there are opportunities to progress in their line of work and how you could secure a similar role. This vital first-hand knowledge cannot be gained from any other source, and if they have contacts of their own they may be able to put you in touch with the correct people.When you find a career path that plays to your strengths and interests, you'll discover a new part of yourself. As you'll be spending a large proportion of your week at work, you'll need to choose a healthcare career that you believe you'll enjoy. By putting the time and effort in to find out which medical occupation will best suit you, you'll have a much better chance of achieving contentment, both professionally and personally.