A career in healthcare could be just what you need, and it could be just what you are looking for. Helping others, having a positive impact, and having an influence in how others receive treatment and care, could be the making of you as an individual, as well as a team player. If you are looking to make a difference to the lives of others, and, if you are looking to perhaps have a positive effect within your local community, then the healthcare industry is definitely calling you. However, before you just jump in and take the first thing that you see, why not take some time out to establish just what role you want within the healthcare industry, and most importantly why?
Establish why Healthcare is the Right Industry for you
The healthcare industry is growing, and, it is expanding, and with these changes, there naturally becomes more opportunities. Being involved in an industry that helps, and provides care to so many, is something that you should be proud to be part of. There are of course, a wide variety of roles within healthcare to suit every type of individual. Whether you enjoy working on your own, or, whether you love being part of a team, there is an opportunity that is suitable for you. For example, if you love making a direct impact on someones’ life, you could become a personal carer visiting homes and residences, and providing support. However, if you love being part of a team, then nursing within a busy environment such as a hospital would be better for you.
What Value Can You Bring to the Industry?
So, just what strengths, traits and characteristics can you bring to the healthcare industry? How can you improve and enhance what is already there? The healthcare industry is rewarding to work within, but it can also be very demanding both physically and mentally. If you are not an upbeat, and, energetic individual then it can leave you feeling wiped out, very quickly. So, what can you bring, and what can you offer? Establishing what you can give and bring to the company or industry you work for will help you further down the line, when it comes time to get a job, so, think carefully now to save time later.
Decide What Area You Want to Focus on
Now that you have established the industry is right for you, and, you know what you can bring to your first role, you now have to decide what area you want to focus on. As the healthcare industry is so vast it is essential that you break down your selection criteria as much as possible. So, do you see yourself working with the elderly? Would you like to be involved in community care, or would a role with children be more rewarding? Narrowing down your criteria at this early stage will help you focus your attention and efforts, and will ensure that you follow the right path for you, your interests and your personality.
Skills and Attributes of a Healthcare Worker
Of course, no two healthcare workers are the same, but quite often they will share the same, if not similar skills and attributes. For example, healthcare workers with the elderly must be attentive. They must be attentive to the needs and wants of their patients and clients, and attentive to outside factors which may influence or affect how a patient behaves. A lot of healthcare workers are positive, and upbeat, and this is a useful to have, especially when working with children. Positivity and a positive approach are crucial to have, and if you have it in bundles, then the better off you will be, and the more enjoyable you will find the job. When it comes to skills, healthcare workers at all levels, are good listeners. Listening to instructions, listening to patients, and listening to orders is essential for all those that work within the healthcare industry. Focusing on strengthening your skills and attributes both now, and moving forwards is something positive that you should embrace.
Look at where you want to be in the Future
When you are planning what role, or position to go for, it is also important that you plan ahead for the future. Looking forwards to where you want to be, and where you see yourself, will help you establish the best route to take. When you look at where you want to be in the future, you can begin to make a plan of action, and from here you can work backwards and establish what you need to do, when and why. If you do not focus on long term plans, and future goals, then you will struggle to know which direction to go in, and you will struggle to get the most out of yourself, and out of your role.
Getting into Nursing and Planning a Career
One area within the healthcare industry that is always in high demand is nursing. Older nurses are retiring, and there never seems to be enough graduates to fill vacant positions. Nursing has a lot of potential, and can see you working in any area from maternity and pediatrics, to accident and emergency. If you love being on the go, and you love making an impact and difference to the lives of others, then nursing is the right industry for you to pursue.
Of course, getting into nursing can also lead you into other areas such as leadership, or even a practitioner role. Being in a leadership role further down the line can see you potentially make changes and make differences to the type of care, and, the quality of care that patients receive. If you get into nursing, and you love it, then a career as a practitioner may be your calling. When you are established as a nurse, you can then start looking at studying an online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner and Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner programs as this will allow you to get a career as a practitioner. A practitioner roles is hugely rewarding as it will allow you to focus on supporting local communities, and local families, growing and changing with them over time.
Top 5 Benefits of a Career in Healthcare
Planning for a career in healthcare is in your best interests, as you can map out where you want to be, and by when. When you have a plan of action, you have focus and direction, and, these are key things to have if you want to remain dedicated and motivated.
- Long term opportunities – The healthcare industry does not stand still, and neither will you. Your role, and job description will always be changing, and it will keep you on your toes. However, once you are in healthcare, you have the opportunity to have a career that is as lengthy as you want it to be. Healthcare will always be needed and there will always be roles that need filling.
- Personal Growth and Development – Growing as an employee, and as a worker is important, but so too is personal growth and development. You can strength your personal skills, you can improve your self-esteem, and you can certainly improve your confidence. Personal growth and development internally, and externally of work will ensure that you can achieve what you want to out of every opportunity you are given.
- Stability – People will always need the healthcare industry, and because of this, there is stability on offer. Yes, changes will happen along the way, but on the whole, the healthcare industry is one of the most stable industries to work in. If changes do happen within your area of work, or within your role, you will often find that you will be redeployed somewhere else.
- Progression – You do not have to stay in the role you find yourself in. There are lots of areas, and opportunities for progression. Whether this is progressing within your current role and area. Or, it is perhaps progressing to a different area within healthcare.
- Flexibility – The healthcare industry, and the roles on offer provide flexibility for you your lifestyle, and you commitments. Flexible working hours to fit around childcare, and around other commitments is something you can expect.
Studying and Increasing Your Knowledge and Awareness
As roles and areas of work are changing within the healthcare industry, so too should your knowledge, awareness, and level of education. It is vital that you see learning as constant within the healthcare industry. One day courses, 3 year programs and everything in between are crucial, and essential to your role. Being flexible and open to learning will ensure that you can achieve the career or job you want to.
When you go for any job within the healthcare industry it is important that you work on your interview skills, and ensure that your resume looks as good as it can. If your resume does not sell you, your skills and attributes, then get it fixed straight away, to ensure that you get the interviews rolling in.