Around 16 million Americans are believed to work in the healthcare sector – and it’s a rewarding industry in many ways, especially for those who climb the career ladder. As a result, the demand for resources to help people take that crucial next step in a healthcare career is high. If this applies to you, then have a read of these top tips on how to ascend the ranks in healthcare and achieve your dreams.
Find A Mentor
One of the main ways that you can access the knowledge needed to develop a career in healthcare is to tap into the wealth of expertise that more experienced professionals have. The benefits of a mentor like this are immense: not only can they share their own experiences so that you don’t make the same mistakes, but they also often have extensive networks that can come in handy during job application season. If you’re a staff nurse, for example, then why not consider asking a nurse practitioner on a different ward if they’d be happy to chat with you about your career goals?
Broaden Your Horizons
Depending on where in the US you’re based, you may find that your geographical area is holding you back somewhat. Sparsely populated areas may have only basic hospitals in them, for example, and so if you want to switch to a more specialist job, then moving might be the only option. Say you’re a physician looking to specialize in the cardiovascular field in a state such as Missouri: heart specialist clinics are clustered around major urban areas such as St. Louis and Kansas City, so if you’re based in a more rural town, then your career options could be limited. For those working as nurses or nurse practitioners, this may not be quite so pressing as there’s less potential for skill diversification among nurses – but it’s still worth taking a look at the job vacancies available in other areas.
Continuing Medical Education
Continuing medical education, or CME, should always be an important part of your plan to boost your healthcare career. Once you’re qualified, the learning shouldn’t stop: it allows you to pick up the latest medical research and techniques, and it can mark you out as a motivated and extra-knowledgeable individual if you have some CME on your resume. By undergoing some continuing medical education, then, you’ll be able to prove to employers that you have the skills required to do a very competent job. Over time, it also means that you can put yourself on a level playing field with your newly qualified competitors – some of whom may have been taught at college what you’re now having to learn in CME.
Whether you’re a physician, a nurse or another healthcare practitioner altogether, there are all sorts of ways to boost your career. From looking further afield when applying for new jobs to ensuring that you keep up to date with your CME, there are lots of ways to ensure that your career in healthcare will properly take off.
