The healthcare sector is one of the most vibrant in the US economy and is a great career choice for a variety of reasons. If you’re a naturally empathetic person and would like to have a positive impact on the people around you, then this could be the perfect career path. If you are still wondering if a healthcare career would be a proper fit, here are some reasons why you should consider entering the field.
Great Job Prospects
While many job sectors have been on the decline lately and many jobs are being relocated overseas, the healthcare job sector is booming at the moment. And there are many factors that are influencing this demand.
The healthcare sector officially became the number one employment sector in the United States in 2017, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. According to the BLS, the total number of jobs in the healthcare sector is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, which makes it one of the fastest growing sectors in the whole US economy.
As a matter of fact, out of the 20 job positions with the highest growth, eight of them are in the healthcare sector. This means that as a graduate, you’ll have a significant leg up compared to other sectors and will have much greater chances of getting a position as soon as you get your certification.
And getting into the field is pretty easy as well. While some programs may be more difficult to enter, there are positions at every single level possible. Schools like the Ultimate Medical Academy are making it easier than ever for students of all levels to get a position in the field.
You don’t necessarily have to spend years and years in a program to get a fulfilling career in healthcare. If you have the aptitude and wherewithal for it, you can always go for a Ph.D., but there are programs and positions for everyone. Some positions only require a high school education, like a pharmacy technician or patient care coordinator, for instance. Or you could be a registered nurse in as little as two years by completing your associate’s degree and starting work immediately. Other high demand positions like dental hygienist or respiratory hygienist only require an associate’s degree too, so make sure that you look at all the options at your disposal.
Job Security
Job security is a major advantage in the field since the demographic pressure from the aging population means that demand will only become greater in the field. This will not only boost demand for physicians but for workers across the board. And legislation like the Affordable Care Act also increases the pressure on the healthcare system and gives access to healthcare to more Americans, which boosts demand significantly.
Job Satisfaction
Another great aspect of working in healthcare is job satisfaction. When surveyed, most healthcare workers have stated that they were satisfied with their position and a large number of jobs with the highest satisfaction rates are in healthcare.
For people who have a nurturing nature, few jobs can be as fulfilling as a career in healthcare. Few careers can allow you to have such a direct impact on people’s everyday lives. And not to mention that you actually get paid pretty handsomely for most positions doing it.
If you want to work with pregnant mothers and help them bring life into this world, you could work in obstetrics. If you want to care for patients with terminal illnesses, there’s oncology. Or if you want to work with the elderly and have a closer relationship with your patients, then you could do some hospice work. The choice is yours.
You could even decide to work as an administrator or work behind the scenes to run more efficient facilities. Or work as a nutritionist and help create better meals for patients. You could also decide to work as a teacher and form the next generation of nurses and care providers. Whatever your strengths are, you can apply them to the healthcare field.
High Paced Work
If you like to be stimulated in your line of work, then healthcare is definitely for you. Depending on your field, you’ll never have to deal with a dull day. While working in urgent care isn’t exactly like it is in Grey’s Anatomy, every day brings a new set of challenges and no two days are the same. And yes, there are times where you’ll play a part in actually saving somebody’s life, which is why so many people find their work so fulfilling.
Flexibility
Another great thing about working in the healthcare field is the flexibility it offers. Do you want to work part-time or do some overtime at the weekends? Or do you prefer working evenings? These are all options that are open to you when working in healthcare. Registered nurses, in particular, get to enjoy flexible schedules and get to work three-day work weeks in some cases, or even do some remote work, which is another major plus.
Great Earning Potential
It’s no secret that jobs in the healthcare sector tend to pay very well. Because of the increased demand for skilled healthcare workers at all levels, the pay tends to be higher than usual. As is to be expected, the more educated and highly skilled you are, the higher the salary will usually be. But when compared with other industries, most healthcare positions, even those that require minimal education, pay significantly higher on average. As a whole, healthcare positions are near the top of highest paying positions, with advanced-practice clinicians and physicians topping the list.
Conclusion
If you were still unsure that a career in the healthcare field would be the right choice for you, we hope we were able to help you with your decision. Make sure that you look at various programs and see which ones cater to your strengths, aptitudes,and personality the best.
