Career Advice

Transition Your Career into the Healthcare Industry

Transition Your Career into the Healthcare Industry

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The past few years have seen growing opportunities in the healthcare sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare field has some of the fastest-growing roles in the nation. 

The governmental agency says in 2022, over 14.7 million people were employed in the medical field. Registered nurses (RN) comprised the bulk of healthcare occupations with 3.4 million. Personal care worker roles were also in demand with 1.4 million.

Many people choose to enter the healthcare profession for different reasons. Whether you’re pivoting from your current career or changing fields within the medical sector, the transition needs to be as smooth as possible.

In this article, we’ll provide practical tips on how to make a successful career switch into healthcare.

 

Understanding Healthcare's Current Landscape

 

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Nurse.org tallied a list of the highest-paying nursing jobs in 2024. Surprisingly, it’s not only physicians earning the big bucks. 

Most In-Demand Roles 

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) topped the list with a potential annual earning of $212,650. Certified Nurse Midwife ($129,650) was the second-highest earner.

A study released by QR Code Generator found that the highest-paying in-demand job sectors in 2024 included tech, finance and healthcare. 

With the medical field comprising nurses, physicians and other healthcare practitioners, the average salary amounts to $102,060. The most in-demand roles are specialized doctor and registered nurse. 

Emerging Roles

Since the emergence of the pandemic, the medical field has learned to adjust to the current landscape. This has caused hospitals and pharmaceuticals to rethink traditional roles.

Who would have thought that respiratory therapists would be one of the most sought-after positions in health? Research conducted by Soliant Health discovered that the demand for respiratory therapists skyrocketed during the pandemic. As of this year, there’s still a dire shortage of people to fill the much-needed role.

Scope in the IT Sector

Adapt or die. The same applies to the healthcare sector. Luckily, the medical field has seen a rapid digital transformation. CIO says the change was bound to happen as the sector aims to leverage technology to focus on patient care and scalable innovations. 

For these simple reasons, IT jobs in healthcare will always be in high demand. From software engineers to data analysts, job security is at its highest.

 

Current Skills Versus Experience

 

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Transitioning into healthcare can be easier than you think. Below, we’ll explain how to make it possible.

The Importance of a Self-Assessment

A self-assessment can help you answer the pertinent questions about where you currently are and where you want to be in your career. The goal is to present career options that align with your interests and skills.

CareerOneStop says a self-assessment can help with the following:

  • Introduce careers you might not be aware of

  • Gain insight into what motivates you

  • Lists a description of your skills

  • Identify places that correspond to your work values

Recognizing Knowledge Gaps

You’re not the only one bored with your current job. When the Journal of Business and Psychology researched interest gaps in the labor market, they found that many people felt unfulfilled at work. For instance, “artistic” was the most popular interest among U.S. employees, but they were the least in-demand jobs.

Lead author Kevin Hoff tells Futurity that interests are the driving force behind knowledge and skill development which results in a successful labor force. Hoff’s advice is that staff need to be given more information about job demands during career assessments so they can explore options that are a good fit.

 

What Are the Education Options

Depending on which direction you plan on taking in the next step of your career, there is a world of options available. 

Formal Education

A Bachelor of Science degree is normally a basic requirement for any college degree and takes about three to five years to complete. For many people entering the healthcare sector, studying for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the preferred method for obtaining a nursing degree.

Like the healthcare sector is ever changing, so too is tertiary education. Online learning has become a popular pathway for people wanting to expand their career prospects. 

Nursing students are swapping the classroom for online coursework to further their nursing education. An online ABSN program is the fastest way to get through nursing school for some students.

An accelerated BSN degree online is an alternative for those changing careers who already have a Bachelor of Science degree. 

The online course can take anywhere between 12 to 16 months to complete. You’ll be empowered with clinical nursing skills to meet the rising demand for healthcare workers in any given sector.

Building on your previous experience and coursework, you’ll be able to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) with confidence and be well on your way to becoming a registered nurse (RN).

To be considered for the online accelerated nursing program, Marymount University recommends that students check admission requirements. This must include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university and prerequisite courses.

Short-Term Training

Hospitals across the U.S. have basic requirements for healthcare staff. Forbes Advisor says foundational certificates like Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support can count in your favor.

Nursing graduates can supplement their degrees with the following certification courses:

  • Basic Life Support

  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Continuous professional development is essential for everyone. Attending workshops and doing short online courses not only boosts your skillset but your future job prospects as well.

Practical Learning

There’s nothing more valuable than learning on the job. Volunteering at your local hospital or organization can go a long way in providing you with real-world experience that one doesn’t learn in a classroom. Internships and part-time positions in an entry-level role are also mentionable options.

 

Building Strong Workplace Connections

Your peers will be your biggest supporters during the transitional period. That goes without saying you need to be part of the change in fostering a positive workplace environment. Co-workers are more receptive to friendly and kind employees. Making human connections is far more important than all work and no play.

Join Professional Organizations

Professional networking has come a long way since the days of joining healthcare associations. Not that you should give them a miss. Traditional ways of networking still have their payoffs.

Make an effort to become a member of the American Nurses Association or the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Be strategic in your networking abilities and attend seminars, conferences and job fairs.

Friend Requests and Virtual Connections

If you’re not a fan of social media, you need to get over your phobia because LinkedIn is the place to be. According to Search Engine Journal, the professional social media platform is used by more than 610 million people worldwide.

Because LinkedIn is saturated with information overload, it can be hard to move past all the noise. The publication has a few alternatives for online networking:

  • Meetup

  • Xing

  • Lunch Meet

  • Community Forums

 

Let Your Job Search Begin

It’s your time to shine. You’ve got the qualifications and certifications as a healthcare professional, now it’s a matter of presenting it in the best way possible.

Writing up Your Resume

No two resumes are alike unless you’ve asked ChatGPT to help you out and taken everything verbatim. As with any role, you have to put your best foot forward. That means highlighting your relevant experience and skills.

Mind you, there are certain prompts you can use to write an outstanding CV, advises CNBC. For instance, you can input: “Write resume bullet points, include metric-based achievements.”

Generative AI tools have proven popular in recent years. However, there is an element of distrust, ZipRecruiter CEO Ian Siegel tells the publication. He does offer some helpful tips: Use ChatGPT as a template for resume writing and always proofread and edit the final draft.

Common Interview Questions

The National Healthcare Association has devised a list of common questions asked in an interview setting:

  • Why are you interested in working here?

  • What’s your biggest strength/weakness?

  • How do you manage a difficult situation in the workplace?

  • How can your skills be advantageous to this role?

The traditional channels of job searching can come in handy. Join a recruitment agency and clinical placement services.

Staying Motivated

Every workplace has its upsides and obstacles. It’s how you deal with them that matters.

Oftentimes, managers and co-workers will treat you with skepticism. You can’t help that your inexperience counts against you. Staying motivated starts with setting attainable goals and holding yourself accountable. Many people complain about workplace fatigue and burnout. 

Psychologist Yvonne Thomas recommends cognitive restructuring. She tells Real Simple that the practice is all about reframing your sad thoughts. Try and find a middle-ground perspective instead of going completely left field and giving up on your goal altogether.

Thomas also advises to break up your goals into digestible chunks. You’ll avoid the overwhelming feeling of not completing it in time. Sometimes, failure is your biggest enemy. If you move the goalposts and you can see the finish line, that in itself is an accomplishment.

The Generation Gap

Thanks to Gen-Z, workplace culture is changing. Baby Boomers were all about competition and visibility. Millennials fostered a collaborative working environment. Now, Forbes says Gen-Z is rewriting the rules. 

This generation is prioritizing diversity and mental health. There are a few stumbling, especially when there’s a generational clash. During a Harris Poll, 46% of Gen-Z employees mentioned that their employer’s values don’t align with theirs.

Preventing Burnout

Be proactive instead of reactive. There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent burnout. These are:

  • Regular exercise which maintains overall well-being

  • Practice self-care

  • Maintain healthy sleeping habits

  • Set boundaries

  • Balance work and play

  • Always ask for help when overwhelmed

 

Go Ahead and Take the Leap

Taking that giant leap into a healthcare career can seem intimidating at first. Take comfort in the fact that once you’ve graduated and received your certifications, many doors will open. You’ll get the opportunity to significantly influence people’s lives for the better. 

To navigate this change effectively and achieve success in the field, adopting a thoughtful and strategic plan is essential. Find out which roles and skills are the most in demand. Do a career self-assessment to ensure you’re choosing the right path. Always upskill and be open to educating yourself on the latest trends in your industry. Knowledge is power. Always empower yourself and continue seeking that knowledge. 

Attend that job fair. Open a LinkedIn account. Start networking because you might not know where your next job referral will come from. By implementing these strategies and keeping a proactive and optimistic mindset, you can smoothly move into this meaningful field, enhance others' lives, and foster your career development. 

Advance your career. Change your life. - HospitalCareers