With the demand for healthcare workers surging to virtually unmanageable levels, patient care and healthcare worker retention walk a slippery slope. Today, discouraging nurse turnover and higher mortality rates run rampant. The cure? A new generation of aspiring healthcare workers. Here’s why it’s a good idea to make a career change into healthcare.
From doctors to nurses, the need for qualified professionals continues to swell in size as hospital executives scramble to soothe the throbbing pain of nurse shortages. With the current lack of medical personnel and ageing populations on the rise, this trend is only expected to continue. There is good news, however.
It’s never too late to switch industries and join the fleet of nurses banding together in the interest of the greater good.
If a desire to effect change and serve your community has come knocking on your door, keep reading to learn about the seven reasons why you should consider making a career change to healthcare.
How to change careers into healthcare
Ready to make the switch? Ensure that you study the following steps when making a career change to healthcare:
- Connect with your community.
- Talk to people who work in the industry about their experiences at different companies.
- Contact a staffing agency or a recruiter
- Contact potential employers
- Research companies’ training opportunities, benefits, work-life balance, and more
- Join a professional group or volunteer at an event
For those already confident in your decision to change careers into healthcare, partnering with a medical staffing agency, such as Fusion Marketplace, might be in your best interest. That way, you can explore both local and cross-country travel nursing opportunities in a bird’s eye view.
A growing industry
A prediction made by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that between 2016 and 2026, the healthcare industry will grow by 18%.
A growing population translates to a more intense need for healthcare workers capable of tending to the ballooning population of older adults. As such, this trend is expected to prevail as the ageing population requires increasingly hands-on medical attention.
Job security
The current unemployment rate for healthcare is at a historic low of just over three per cent.
Moreover, this industry is one of the rare few industries that can boost job security even during economic downturns, making it an ideal choice for those who are risk-averse or seeking stability in their careers.
Excellent pay
It’s a well-known fact that healthcare professionals have excellent salaries and benefits. However, if you decide to pursue this career path, it may take years before you reach your designated salary goals, so keep your expectations reasonable.
The following are examples of salaries you can expect in the medical field:
- The median pay for a registered nurse in 2020 is around $75,000 per year.
- The average salary for medical assistants ranges from around $30,000 to under $45,000.
More flexible schedule
Healthcare professionals are not restricted to a standard 40-hour workweek. Because of this, those who have committed to a career switch can bear the fruits of added free time. Whether you choose to spend time with family, invest in quality self-care, or travel the world, the choice is up to you.
Great benefits
Offering a full range of benefits is one way to attract and retain talented employees.
The business model for healthcare has led some employers in the field to provide more generous health, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage than what’s available outside the industry.
Some companies even offer education assistance or tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits packages.
Job satisfaction
If you aren’t sold on a career in medicine, consider the job satisfaction that awaits you in the healthcare sector. Unlike in other industries, such as retail and manufacturing, your work will have meaning to the people receiving care.
Healthcare workers help patients and their families by providing support during difficult times like grief or chronic illness. Every gruelling night shift will be worth it, knowing you restored a patient’s quality of life.
Accommodates all education levels
While some positions in the medical industry may require a PhD, not all do. With this in mind, high-paying job opportunities in the healthcare sector are well within reach for college undergraduates and high school graduates alike.
Wrap up
The healthcare industry is a booming industry, with more and more people entering the field every day. There are many practical reasons for you to make this transition into health care as well.
Healthcare offers job security, excellent pay, flexible hours, great benefits, and a higher average salary than most other industries.
Moreover, if you want higher earning potential in a fantastic profession that makes a difference in people’s lives every day, consider making the switch.
- About the Author
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Jana is a seasoned writer who’s been helping businesses tell their story for more than 15 years. When she’s not reading and writing, she enjoys hiking around the Seattle area, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest when she can get away for a weekend road trip.