Tips for Working Healthcare Professionals to Upskill
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One surefire way to improve your career prospects is by upskilling yourself! The ManpowerGroup’s 2023 Workplace Trends Report has found that about 57% of workers seek to upskill themselves outside work. Besides being a career booster, upskilling can keep you competitive in the industry and help you land a higher-paying role.
Leveling up your skills is beneficial for professionals in every industry. But it’s more so for those in the healthcare sector since it can help you figure out the most efficient way to treat patients. Plus, it will allow you to stay abreast of the latest advancements in the industry.
Have you been thinking about upskilling yourself? Whether you’re looking to move into a leadership role, specialize in a new area, or just stay on top of the latest trends, upskilling can open up new doors and keep your career exciting. Upskilling is a great decision. But let’s be honest, balancing work with life and study is not a cakewalk. The good news, however, is that you can make it all work without losing your sanity.
Here, we’ll walk you through some practical tips that can help you smoothly juggle further education with your current job.
1. Research Programs, Courses, and Degrees
Don’t enroll yourself in just any program, course, or degree. Take time to research your options. Before you start your research, decide between a full-time degree and a short-term course. Are you considering a full degree for a significant career shift or looking for a short-term course to sharpen specific skills?
Dive into the details of various options thereafter. Shortlist the choices that align with the skills you’ll need for the next step in your healthcare career. For postgraduate study, graduate certificates and master’s are worthwhile options.
A graduate certificate is not a degree, yet it’s still a quantifiable achievement that can beef up your resume. A certificate in Pediatric Nursing, for instance, can help you climb the clinical ladder to roles with greater responsibility and higher salaries. A master’s degree, on the other hand, will allow you to specialize in a particular area. It can qualify you for management and leadership positions.
Suppose you hold a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management. Pursuing a master’s in the same specialization will open doors. You can work as a biopharmaceutical manager, clinical trials manager, and even healthcare executive.
Your earning potential will also increase. If you’re a medical and health services manager who makes around $95,625/year on average, pursuing a master’s in healthcare management will boost your earnings. You can rake in as high as $180,000/year with a master’s degree.
2. Choose Your Mode of Study
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Meeting new people, exploring campus grounds, and a structured learning environment - who doesn’t crave the traditional college experience? But for a working person like you, it won’t be the right option. Balancing work with study will be a seemingly impossible task.
Online learning programs make it easy for working professionals to manage study alongside work. Opt for them. These programs are flexible. That is, you can complete modules at your own pace and time. Your degree won’t interfere with your job.
Suppose you’re a pharmacist who pockets around $139,106 every year. Now, you want to advance your career as well as boost your earnings. Hence, you decide to become a clinical pharmacist whose yearly base salary, on average, is $153,285.
Virtually all places where clinical pharmacists work require these professionals to hold a doctorate in pharmacy. The traditional on-campus Doctor of Pharmacy, or PharmD, spans six years, where Online Doctor of Pharmacy Programs can be completed in four years.
This program, the University of Findlay explains, will prepare you for licensing as a skilled pharmacist who can enhance the lives of people in your community. Despite studying in a four-year program, you will learn everything from the basics of physical pharmacy and pharmaceutics to the application of pharmacy practice. If you’re short on time but need intensive learning, workshops or boot camps are excellent alternatives.
An inherited blood disorder, or sickle cell disease, is on the rise, for example. Free boot camps are being offered to train nurses to care for this disease. Registered nurses who can’t pursue a degree online can enroll in this boot camp and specialize in caring for patients with sickle disease.
3. Craft a Realistic Schedule
Upskilling alongside a 9-to-5 job is no easy feat. It’s all the more tough when you have other commitments like family or community involvement. Crafting a realistic schedule is the key to managing study alongside work and personal life.
A well-structured schedule helps you stay organized as well as reduce stress. It will allow you to allocate enough time for work, study, and rest. That way, you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Before creating a schedule, look at your commitments—work hours, family time, and any other obligations. Once you map out your current commitments, designate specific time slots for studying. Treat them as non-negotiable appointments.
Don’t overextend yourself, however. Commit for a few focused hours instead. Or you might risk burnout. A recent NIH study revealed that 15% of paramedics, 17% of physicians, and 18% of nurses were at risk for burnout.
Be sure to build in time for rest and relaxation in your schedule. Overpacking your schedule can lead to exhaustion. It will become hard for you to retain information. Also, be flexible as life happens and you might have to adjust your study time.
4. Master the Art of Multitasking
Multitasking is often discouraged but, it can be a valuable skill in the context of balancing work and study done wisely. Mastering the art of multitasking, however, doesn’t mean juggling everything at once. It’s about finding smart ways to combine tasks without overwhelming yourself.
Think of it as doubling up where it makes sense. To give an example, you can listen to recorded lectures while doing household chores or when commuting to and from your workplace. Or, perhaps review flashcards or take quick quizzes while waiting between appointments.
Multitasking is all about pairing a low-effort task with one that requires more focus. This way, you can maximize your time without compromising the quality of your work or study. Be mindful to never try to multitask during activities that require your full attention, like critical study sessions or patient care.
5. Use Digital Tools to Keep Organized
Technology can be a game-changer in managing your responsibilities. There is a wealth of digital tools you can use to your advantage to study on the go or during downtime. Apps like Quizlet can help you create flashcards. Use them, so you can revise your topics during breaks.
You can use calendar apps like Google Calendar to schedule study sessions, set reminders for assignments, and even block out time for self-care. Nothing will slip through the cracks that way.
Want to access your notes, assignments, and research from anywhere? Cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive can help you do that. Just upload your notes to them; you can access them from anywhere and anytime.
Task management apps like Asana or Trello help break down big projects into manageable tasks. Use them to create to-do lists, set priorities, and check off completed tasks, so you can stay on top of your academic commitments.
6. Communicate With Your Employer
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Your employer should know about your academic pursuits. Make sure you inform them about it. Have an open conversation about your plans, explaining to them why you’re pursuing further education and how it aligns with your career goals.
When discussing your plans with your employer, emphasize how your new skills and knowledge will contribute to the company's goals, improve your performance, and add value to your role. This approach helps show that your upskilling is a win-win situation for both parties. Employers are often more receptive when they see the potential return on investment.
You might be able to gain their support, which can make it easy for you to balance study with work. An article published in SHRM found that approximately 80% of employers offer upskilling benefits. Your employer can be among them if you communicate your interest and options available.
When discussing your academic pursuits, ask your employer if there is a possibility for a flexible work arrangement or maybe, telecommuting. You can even request them to reduce your workload during critical study periods. Some employers even go the extra mile to offer tuition reimbursement or additional support, like mentorship from someone who’s gone through a similar process.
7. Seek Out Mentorship
Having a mentor can be incredibly beneficial when pursuing a healthcare degree while working.
They’ve likely walked a similar path. That is why they can offer guidance and valuable insights that can help you navigate your academic and professional journey. They can even offer practical advice on what worked for them—and what didn’t.
If you don’t already have a mentor, reach out to someone within your program who has experience in the healthcare field. You can also get in touch with people within your network.
There are many professionals out there who are more than willing to offer advice and support to those who are just starting out. Don’t be shy about reaching out; most people are flattered to be asked for their advice and eager to support others.
8. Practice Self-Care
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of balancing work and school. But amidst all this, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Burnout is a real risk, especially when you’re trying to do it all. Carve out time for activities that help you relax and recharge. That could be meditation, sleeping, or indulging in a hobby.
You could also spend time with your loved ones. One Psychiatrist, Dr. Marissa Stirdiron, swears by this self-care practice. In a conversation with Yahoo, Stridiron revealed that she finds talking to the ones she loves and trusts incredibly therapeutic. Besides, don’t skimp on sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential for retaining information and maintaining focus.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, try setting a regular bedtime. Also, avoid drinking caffeine late in the day. According to Verywell Mind, you shouldn’t drink caffeine four to six hours prior to bedtime.
Creating a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath or meditating, might also help you doze off quickly. Upskilling while juggling a healthcare career is no small feat. But it’s definitely doable...and worth it! With these tips, you can strike a perfect balance between work and study.
Upskilling isn’t just about moving up the career ladder. It’s about growing your expertise and confidence while improving the care you give to your patients. Rest assured, your future self will be grateful you took the leap!
