Healthcare Careers Part 1
Healthcare is another of the key areas experiencing growth in terms of jobs, partly due to the aging population in most western countries. As more people are living longer, the problems associated with old age are increasing and jobs related to both corrective and preventative measures are on the increase
Medical careers are considered amongst the most prestigious in many societies and there is often competition for a place at the better universities. Training for a medical career involves a long period of study, followed by working extremely long hours whilst still in a junior position. Although medicine is a competitive field, requiring high grades for entry to university courses, there are shortages in the UK and physician also ranks amongst the top jobs in the US, both in terms of growth and salary. There is also a large range of specialisms to choose from once qualified, and although all require the same initial knowledge and competencies, there is scope for plenty of different personalities within the medical profession. Those who are not so keen on working with people can opt for pathology or laboratory based research, whilst those who like drama can work in the emergency department and some doctors are able to become part of a helicopter medical team involved in rescuing accident victims.
In addition to medicine, there is a broad range of healthcare careers. For those interested in a nursing career, there is a shortage of nurses in the UK. Unfortunately, pay and conditions are not very good, whilst educational requirements have become more demanding, with many nurses now studying to degree level and having to engage in regular training throughout their careers. Of course it is essential for all medical professionals to keep up with developments in treatments and research results, but the low salaries can be demoralizing. Nurses can choose to specialize in a specific area such as emergency medicine, midwifery, theatre or intensive care nursing. They can also work in the community as district nurses or in GPs' surgeries.
As nurses progress in their careers, there is a tendency to move them to administrative positions, which means more money, but less patient contact, which does not appeal to many nurses, as they trained to work directly with people who are ill and in pain. However, it is possible to specialize in certain areas and in 1999 the role of nurse consultant and midwife consultant were created, allowing nurses to progress and still spend 50% of their time working directly with patients , whilst earning a much higher salary than in traditional roles. They are also involved in education and research. Further training is available for nurses wishing to work in the community as district or school nurses and in industry as occupational nurses.
The US is also experiencing a shortage of nurses and the number of openings is expected to grow much faster than it will in many other sectors.
Nurses need to be able to handle a heavy workload, work well in a team and be able to get on with all types of people. They should be sensitive, as they will often need to talk to distressed patients and relatives, observant and able to cope with stressful situations. In addition, they need to be prepared to do shift work at some points of their careers. There is plenty of scope for part-time work, which is suited to mothers who want to spend more time with their children.
In the UK, the minimum age for trainee nurses is 17.5 years and older applicants are welcome, as this is one profession where maturity is considered an asset.
© Waller Jamison 2006
For a free e-course on career change go to: Free Course
I will be adding new articles to this site on a regular basis. If you would like to be notified when a new article has been posted, please fill in the form below and hit submit.
Back to top of Healthcare Careers