Why Work in Healthcare?: 9 Benefits & Reasons to Work in this Field
Have you ever posed the question of why work in healthcare? There is a simple and easy answer to this question. A lot of people claim that working in healthcare is the most fulfilling experience they have ever had. Healthcare providers are able to help others in need and make a difference in the lives of their patients. Being able to have such an impact on other people's lives makes healthcare workers have a very respected role in society.
Among self-fulfillment and job satisfaction, being part of the healthcare field has other benefits as well. There are plenty of career opportunities that you can pursue, in-demand jobs, and most importantly, highly competitive salaries.
Plenty of Career Paths
Healthcare careers are divided into many pathways and specializations. Having so many different options you can choose from makes it very easy for you to understand what you want to do in life and pursue the career that best fits you.
Below we have listed just some of the pathways you can pursue once you have entered the healthcare field.
Disease prevention and control
Personal healthcare
Maternal and child care
Mental healthcare
Community healthcare
Environmental healthcare management
Drug prevention and control
Nutrition
Health education
Dental health
Occupational safety
Emergency medical services
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Various Education Levels
When it comes to the level of education in the healthcare system there are a variety of education levels. Your level of education and experience will determine what kind of job you will land in the future as well as your salary.
Just some of the education levels in the healthcare field include nursing (registered nursing, nurse practitioner, vocational nursing, family nurse practitioner, etc), healthcare administration, bachelor of science in nursing completion, master of science in nursing completion, doctor of medicine, and so on.
Multitude of Areas of Specialization
Students who enter the healthcare field should keep in mind that they have a great advantage when it comes to specialization.
The healthcare system has a great variety of areas of specialization that students can choose from. From allergy and immunology to urology, the list goes on and on.
We have listed below some of the most common areas of specialization in healthcare.
Allergy and immunology
Anesthesiology
Dermatology
Diagnostic radiology
Emergency medicine
Family medicine
Internal medicine
Medical genetics
Neurology
Nuclear medicine
Obstetrics and gynecology
Ophthalmology
Pathology
Pediatrics
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Preventive medicine
Psychiatry
Radiation oncology
Surgery
Urology
In-demand Jobs
One of the most important reasons that people enter the healthcare field is job security and in-demand jobs. There are endless job opportunities and competitive salaries in healthcare in the areas of healthcare administration, medical laboratory, patient care, physicians, surgeons, and more.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare occupations are expected to grow by 16 percent from 2020 and 2030, far faster than the overall labor market growth rate, adding thus nearly 2.6 million new jobs. Healthcare professions are expected to grow faster than any other occupational group. The majority of this predicted growth is due to an aging population, which will increase demand for healthcare services.
Here is a list of in-demand occupations in the healthcare industry.
Medical office assistant
Admissions coordinator
Practice manager
Clinic administrator
Nursing home administrator
Laboratory technician
Anesthesia technician
Laboratory manager
Phlebotomist
Nursing assistant
Dental assistant
Licensed practical nurse
Registered nurse
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Obstetrics and gynecology physician
Pediatrician
General practitioner
Dentist
Orthopedist
Plastic surgeon
Cardiology physician
High Job Satisfaction
Most individuals claim that one of the most important factors that they enter the healthcare industry is high job satisfaction. Healthcare workers consider their job as very fulfilling as they get to do what they love and help other people in the process.
Competitive Salaries
When it comes to salaries, different education levels qualify you for different roles, and therefore different salaries. However, the healthcare occupations are expected to generate 2.6 million new jobs from 2020 to 2030; therefore, the healthcare field has the most competitive salaries.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the occupations in the healthcare field that have the highest salaries are:
Certified registered nurse anesthetist – $190,726
Neonatal nurse practitioner – $127,831
Cardiac nurse practitioner – $116,580
Orthopedic nurse practitioner – $115,500
Oncology nurse practitioner – $115,401
Nursing home administrators $120,052
Clinical managers $104,280
Biostatistician - $80,00 to $100,000
Epidemiologist - $75,690 to $112,600
Public health advisor - $99,730 to $124,580.
Travel Opportunities
The healthcare field is great even for people who love traveling. You can get a travel healthcare job such as travel nurse, traveling medical scribe, or even travel therapist, and incorporate the two things you are passionate about; helping those in need and traveling.
Stimulating Work Environments
In the healthcare industry, not even a day is the same as the last. The day-to-day circumstances in healthcare work environments keep everyone on their toes and don't allow them to live a boring lifestyle. All this experience is very stimulating for healthcare professionals and allows them to give their very best in every situation.
You Get to Make a Difference in People’s Lives
Healthcare professionals have a great impact on the lives of their patients. Everyone in this field gets to make a difference in people's lives in one way or another. Being able to have such an impact on those around you who need your help gives great satisfaction and keeps you going.
Respected Role in Society
Healthcare workers have a very respected role in society since they serve as a helping hand when others are in need. In addition, healthcare professionals are seen as very trustworthy and loyal, which makes their role in society even more important.
Ultimately, being a healthcare professional is fulfilling in every aspect possible. With endless career pathways, job opportunities, competitive salaries, and most importantly, the power to help those in need, the healthcare field has everything you could ever need.