If a profession in the healthcare field is your new direction, you’ve chosen a good one.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 2 million new jobs over the decade.”
This increase in demand for healthcare workers can be attributed to various factors. For example, aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in larger workloads. Advanced technology is making its way into the healthcare industry, resulting in a need for new skill sets and positions. Evolving patient loads and needs are a factor as well.
Even with the increased demand, many healthcare workers are satisfied with their career choice. There is a sense of nobility in pursuing a career that is centered around serving people. That said, transitioning to a career in the healthcare field is a layered process.
Implement these four tips to ensure changing your career to one in healthcare is seamless.
Why Do You Want to Change the Direction of Your Career?
Changing your career trajectory isn’t an easy decision — no matter which career you land on.
You should have a clear reason for wanting to change the direction of your career to the healthcare field. A strong why will motivate you to see yourself through challenges like resigning from a long-time career or going back to school. It’ll also help you decide if this career change is reasonable and worth it.
Sit down and honestly answer the question: why do you want to change the direction of your career to something in the healthcare field? Do you want a high-paying job? Do you want to serve people? Have you always been interested in medicine?
Once you’re happy with your why, write it down and put it somewhere visible. That way you’ll encounter something every day that reminds you of why you’re pursuing this new career.
Explore the Many Medical Career Options
A doctor or a nurse are common careers in the healthcare field, but they’re hardly the only ones. Instead of sticking to the status quo, research the wide range of jobs available in the healthcare field before making a permanent decision.
First, think about your particular interests. For example, are you interested in administering actual care as a surgeon or physician? Do you want to work in a lab as a technician? Are you drawn to the administrative side as a front office coordinator or clinic manager? Or, are you more interested in psychiatric care?
You should also consider what kind of working arrangement you want. You may prefer going to work in-office every day or you may prefer a healthcare career that you can do from home as a licensed counselor or a dietitian.
Make a list of the careers that fit your interests and lifestyle. Then, narrow your choices down to your top three. Research the details of each career, including:
- Pay and benefits;
- The job demand;
- Day-to-day responsibilities;
- Professional development opportunities;
- What licenses, certifications, or degrees are required.
Once you’ve settled on a healthcare career choice, the next step is preparing your life and finances for the transition to it.
Prepare Your Life and Finances for the Transition
In addition to having a strong reason for wanting to change your career direction to the healthcare field, you also need to figure out if your life and finances are ready for the transition. If they aren’t, you must establish different goals to ensure different facets of your life are prepared for change.
First, reflect on your life. What do you do today that you won’t be able to do once you change your career? Often, most healthcare workers have to go to school for 2-4 years. With this kind of commitment, you’ll inevitably have to examine how your career change will alter your relationships with your children, spouse, friends, and other family members.
If you do want to commit, you can prepare your family by talking to them about the changes involved. You should inform them you won’t have as much free time. You can also rearrange your schedule to fit in personal passions so that you don’t have to eliminate them from your life.
In addition to readying your life for the transition to a career in healthcare, you must also prepare your finances. Going from a high-paying career in another industry to an entry-level position in healthcare can significantly impact your finances and lifestyle.
Be ready for this by auditing your financial health. Write down your current budget and adjust based on expenses you’ll have to pay for education, loss of income, and how you can potentially use your savings to your advantage.
If you need to put your career change on hold until you’re financially ready for it, do this. Transitioning to a career in the healthcare field will be much more enjoyable without lingering financial stressors.
Go Back to School
Many healthcare careers don’t require a specialized degree, license, or certification. Explore these if you aren’t in a position to go back to school right now.
But if you can attend college or medical school, completing a degree program can enhance the career opportunities you have in the healthcare field. It might also be necessary depending on the field or role you’re pursuing.
Address your fears about going back to school first. Many people don’t go back to school because they think they’re too old to go back, it’s too expensive, or they won’t have the time to produce quality work and complete the program.
You can quiet these and other fears by writing out a plan to conquer them. For example, if it’s the money holding you back, map out how you’ll be able to afford school by taking on extra hours, starting a side hustle, or saving. Show yourself there’s a real way through your fears and you’ll be much more likely to beat them.
If you decide to go back to school, know what the requirements are. If you’re going to medical school, for example, the following is required:
- Taking medical school prerequisites in your undergraduate program;
- A 3.5 or higher GPA throughout your four-year degree;
- An MCAT score of 500 or above;
- Lab work, clinical studies, or fieldwork experience;
- Participation in extracurricular activities or volunteer work;
- Preparation for personal interviews;
- A solid personal statement;
- Letters of recommendation.
Determine whether additional schooling is necessary for the healthcare career you’re pursuing. If it is, figure out what the requirements are for getting this education. Then, map out the financial and time requirements to ensure you can accommodate them.
Conclusion
Deciding to transition to a career in the healthcare field is just the beginning. There’s quite a bit of work involved in making the change and actually landing the healthcare job of your dreams. But the tips above will make that work much more manageable.
