One of the most popular questions that healthcare workers are asked is:
“Is working in the health services a good career move?”
Answering this question is about more than just how much money you’ll make. How people perceive your job and what it entails will also factor into your decision.
It’s common for people to think of healthcare workers as running around saving lives, but many people who work in healthcare don’t see patients at all. As small as the number of jobs that have direct patient contact is, it still represents the best-paying segment of the industry.
The bottom line is that while there are plenty of rewards and challenges in a health services career, the field isn’t for everyone.
Informed Choices and Career Planning
Contents
- 1 Informed Choices and Career Planning
- 2 What Qualifications Are Needed?
- 3 What Jobs Are Available?
- 4 Navigating the Tough Transition from Student to Healthcare Professional
- 5 What are the Benefits of Working in Healthcare?
- 6 Is There Still Room for Growth in Health Care?
- 7 Should I Go to School for an Advanced Degree?
- 8 Should You Join the Health Services?
- 9 Conclusion
Individuals considering a career in health services can take several steps to get more information about this rewarding field:
- Talk to friends and family who work in health care.
- Join an organization that represents the profession and encourages members to get more information and help to support one another in the workplace.
- Attend an event or professional meeting that specifically concerns health services, such as a conference.
- Ask for free information from employers at job fairs.
- Use social media sites to find out what people think about the world of health care from their personal experiences, as well as their knowledge of various jobs in this field.
- Talk with current employees.
What Qualifications Are Needed?
Once you decide that a career in the health sector is for you, you’ll need to decide what you want to do. Do you want to work in a hospital, in a clinic, or somewhere else?
Many people enter the field of health care without any experience, but the possibility that you’ll need to go back to school for additional training can be a real deterrent.
Some people have been motivated enough to enroll in a program, whether it’s at an accredited college or through independent study. This isn’t something that everyone is willing to do, but for those who want it and can find the time and money, it can be very beneficial.
Be aware that it’s also possible to work your way up the ladder and launch into an entirely new career since many skills learned in one type of job can transfer to another. That’s why it’s important to keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities and take advantage of the experience you already have.
What Jobs Are Available?
There are many different jobs in the healthcare field, from doctors, nurses, and dentists, to nutritionists and physical therapists. Some people work in areas like research, education, or public policy.
When you’re trying to determine what job is right for you, it can help if you start by looking at what other people do first.
The next step would be to decide which type of education might fit your needs best.
A healthcare career is a rewarding one. The job security, the potential for advancement, and access to good benefits make it an attractive field for many people.
The only downside of the health field is that there are so many qualified applicants that employers can be very selective about who gets hired. To maximize your chances of success, here are some tips you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Be sure to take a close look at your transcript and consider taking the time to improve your GPA if it’s not where you want it to be right now.
- Consider going to school for an additional degree or certification that will make you more attractive to prospective employers, such as optometry or registered nursing.
- Join a professional organization or certificate program to meet people who can help you find a job in your chosen field.
- Take the time to come up with a strong resume and emphasize your skills and accomplishments throughout your life. Some employers want to see examples of community service, leadership roles, and any awards that you’ve earned so don’t discount any of your prior work experience. You might be surprised at how good it does you.
- Become an interesting candidate by showcasing your work-life balance and things you do outside of work. Adding some personality to your resume may help to make you stand out.
- Make sure that you are applying for jobs that are right for your goals and abilities, especially if you’re trying to get into a field like nursing where training is necessary before you can be hired.
- Stay flexible by making sure that all the contact information on your resume and application is current and correct. Also, be prepared to go through multiple interviews with a variety of employers, even if you think that there’s only one job for which you’re qualified. It’s always possible that a different opportunity might come along later.
What are the Benefits of Working in Healthcare?
We live in a time where people are living longer than they ever have before, so there are many benefits to careers in healthcare.
However, one of the biggest benefits is that it’s a field where you can make a huge difference each day in people’s lives.
Setting up systems and processes to ensure that individuals can live longer, healthier lives is why we have been able to see such advances over the last century, although we’re still not perfect -far from it.
Many people all over the world are employed in this field and working hard every day to make sure that we continue to get better at helping others live their best lives possible.
Is There Still Room for Growth in Health Care?
If humans continue to get sick, there will continue to be individuals who are involved in the process of getting them well. However, it’s also true that every year, we learn more and more about prevention and how different things can make a difference.
Since the healthcare field is changing all the time, many jobs need filling at all levels of society, from nurses in hospitals to those who work with patients on a just-in-time basis.
On top of that, there is also a need for research professionals who can come up with better ways to treat disease and provide better information for everyone.
You can find a wide variety of jobs in the health industry, including doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists to name a few. Healthcare is one of the largest industries in the world and there is plenty of room for new people to join the fold.
Should I Go to School for an Advanced Degree?
Going back to school or going on to get another degree doesn’t have to be something that you have to do if you don’t want it, but you must find out what your options are upfront.
Healthcare professionals often need at least some type of advanced degree before they are allowed into their chosen field, so you must know what this means for you.
The bottom line here is that if you’re working to get into a field like nursing, it usually isn’t enough to have taken classes in high school and whatever you may have learned afterward.
In most cases, to work in the role that you want within your desired industry, you’ll need at least some type of associate’s or bachelor’s degree. When you know what it is that you need and what your options are, it can help you make more informed decisions.
Should You Join the Health Services?
Now you have learned a little about the health services and a few of the different roles that people can play in this field.
As you might have guessed, a career in healthcare is a lucrative one and there are plenty of opportunities to get behind the scenes and help make things easier for everyone else on your way to the top of your chosen field.
However, as with any other type of job, it’s not always easy to know if it’s the right one for you.
When it comes time for you to graduate or if you aren’t sure what direction to take with your education, it’s worth it to put some time into asking yourself some questions about why you’ve decided that you want to work in this field.
Conclusion
This has been a quick overview of the health services industry, and it’s clear that there are a lot of different possibilities for people who want to work in this field.
As you’ve probably seen by now, it’s an exciting time to be working in this field as we get better at treating disease and helping people live longer lives each year.
It’s important to remember that while there is a lot of opportunity in this field, it can also be hard work that requires patience and dedication as well. You can’t just steam ahead without giving your healthcare career some thought first.