Since healthcare is a rapidly transforming industry, we expect diverse roles and subfields to emerge. From innovative treatments to advanced systems and procedures, the entire mechanism of the healthcare field is witnessing drastic changes. Given these reasons, many individuals prefer to venture into this field and reap the benefits of a growing sector.
However, most healthcare aspirants often wonder what entails pursuing this ever-evolving field and whether it’s worth it. So, if you’re one of them, then you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ll discuss why studying healthcare is a good idea:
Employment opportunities
When deciding on a career path, the first thing one considers is its scope and employment outlook. Common questions you might ask are: what is the employment outlook of the job in the next years? How is this field growing over the years? These questions are asked to ensure that you have enough lucrative opportunities to get a job at the end of your academic journey. Fortunately, healthcare is a dynamic and evolving field, meaning healthcare aspirants can look forward to emerging subfields. Medical breakthroughs and technological developments are constantly expanding the sector, paving the way for more job opportunities.
But there are often more jobs than trained staff available to fill the positions. Take the example of nurses; the profession of nursing is growing by leaps and bounds. The BLS predicts a staggering 9% increase in the employability of nurses, but there aren’t many skilled nurses to take over vacant positions. The pandemic has further widened the skill gap in the nursing profession. Nonetheless, to overcome this, nurses are opting for Online RN to BSN Program to hone essential skills and land higher roles. With online learning, nurses can manage their nerve-wracking schedules alongside personal commitments.
Similar is the case in other areas of healthcare. Now, there is a shortage of primary care practitioners. BLS overall predicts that employment in healthcare will increase to 16% from 2020 to 2030, adding 2.6 million more jobs into the sector. The healthcare sector will continue to add more jobs than any other sector in the occupational groups. As a result, employment opportunities are guaranteed to people with relevant degrees.
More avenues to develop
Individuals serving in the healthcare sector rarely experience career stagnation. People with new and advanced skills are highly valued in care provision centers such as hospitals, private clinics, and educational institutions. Today, hospitals are ready to pay a higher salary to attract the right talent for their facilities. Therefore, healthcare professionals have more opportunities to develop and take their careers forward at a higher pace.
Moreover, people who study healthcare have a constellation of other marketable skills. You will find them having problem-solving skills, effective communication skills, critical thinking, and analytical skills. These essential skills help them progress in their domain and land higher positions.
Helping others
Getting a decent job and earning an impressive salary are undoubtedly the perks of getting into healthcare. But countless other professions might pay the same amount. So, why do people prefer this challenging field where witnessing trauma and death is a routine? The answer is simple; the satisfaction that one attains from helping others is incomparable. Healthcare professionals’ job is to make a difference in the lives of others. The resultant feel is unmatchable.
One of the fulfilling aspects of working in healthcare is providing support to people in their most vulnerable time. You get a chance to inspire hope, show compassion, and teach others the required skills to overcome their difficult situation.
Job satisfaction
The above-stated sense of fulfillment has a ripple effect in making you satisfied with your job. Seeing your patients gain strength, return to normalcy, and overcome life-threatening diseases instill content and satisfaction. Knowing that the work you do is meaningful for creating a healthy society brings a sense of relief and purpose to your life.
Statistically speaking, according to a recent survey, healthcare professionals are 79.88% satisfied with their job. Alongside this, their happiness index scores a whopping 7.5 out of 10, higher than any other occupation. Such stats and figures are enough to convince anyone that healthcare offers tremendous job satisfaction.
Plethora of subfields
Doctors and nurses might be the only professionals that come to your mind when thinking about healthcare. While these are the most notable professions in healthcare, they aren’t the only ones. From healthcare engineering to informatics and administration, various other subfields are available these days. Therefore, you’ll never meet a dead-end when choosing a subfield or growing your career.
For instance, if you want to work with people, you might go into therapy, mental health, or health education. These careers are vast and offer plenty of growth opportunities. In contrast, some people do not prefer directly working with people. For them, there are jobs in pharmacy, diagnostic technology, health service management, technicians, and the like. Another significant factor is that the training you get for a job is not limited to that particular domain. So, most skills you gain in healthcare are transferable and can support you in shifting into new areas of healthcare.
Global working environment
Studying healthcare means your job opportunities are not limited geographically. In most countries, the healthcare education provided today is so advanced that it can fulfill the requirement of any country. However, it is still wise to explore the academic and experiential requirements of pursuing a career outside your country. What’s more, as a healthcare professional, you can seek job relocation opportunities for a specific duration.
Conclusion
In today’s era, healthcare holds precedence for being the most sought-after career choice. Alongside its growth prospects and earning potential, individuals opt for this field for its dynamic nature. The best thing about serving in healthcare is that no two days are alike. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, further adding to your experience and skillset. Various other departments and people work collaboratively to offer quality services to the patients. However, entering the healthcare field is no cakewalk. It requires impressive academic credentials, essential skills, and work exposure to ensure employability.
