Did you know healthcare is the largest employer in the United States? Over 20 million people work in healthcare and social assistance.
With this information, it’s understandable if you’re already sold on pursuing a career in the field. However, you shouldn’t make a career move solely because it has a massive labor market. It’s prudent to consider other vital factors, such as your passion and skills.
So, if you’re now wondering whether the healthcare industry is right for you, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn whether medical field careers are right up your alley.
Are You Passionate About Helping Other People?
Healthcare is a service industry. Although the level of service will vary depending on the specific profession, at the end of the day you’re there to help provide healthcare services to consumers.
To thrive in a people-facing career, you really need to be passionate about helping other people. For example, if you want to become a nurse or a doctor, you need to understand that the jobs involve offering direct care to patients. When you have a natural passion for helping others, you’ll feel right at home.
This, though, doesn’t necessarily mean the healthcare industry isn’t for you if people skills aren’t your strong suit. You just need to find a healthcare career that doesn’t involve a lot of contact with other people. For example, you can become a medical biller and coder, a role that’s largely behind the scenes in healthcare facilities.
Can You Meet Professional Training Requirements?
The most popular healthcare careers are known to have strenuous qualification requirements. To become a general doctor, for instance, one must have a bachelor’s degree, complete medical school, and undergo residency training. You’re looking at no less than 8 years of professional training!
As such, if you want to pursue medical careers that require extensive training, you have to evaluate whether you have what it takes to complete it. You don’t want to join a medical school, only to drop out later because you can’t handle the rigor.
The good news? Not all medical professions require a multitude of degrees. In fact, some carriers only need a diploma or associate degree. Check out UMA or any other medical school to learn about various programs you can pursue.
Work-Life Balance
Over 60 percent of full-time workers in the U.S. have poor work-life balance. The healthcare industry is known for long hours and stressful work environments, so it’s no secret that most healthcare workers have no work-life balance.
When considering whether a career in the healthcare industry is right for you, think about the work-life balance you’d like to have. If you want a job that will allow you to build a great work-life balance, some medical jobs won’t be appealing to you.
Be sure to do plenty of research before settling on a specific career. Learn about the work environment before deciding to pursue it.
Medical Field Careers: Make Your Choice
Most medical field careers are competitive, challenging, and rewarding, especially if you love helping people. However, they aren’t for everyone. Whether you want to become a physician, nurse, or healthcare administrator, it’s essential to gather as much information as you can about the industry before making a move.
All the best and explore our blog for more career advice.