Why Is Healthcare a Good Place to Start a Career?
There are many reasons people choose to pursue a career in healthcare. While others recognize that the healthcare field is extremely promising given that there will always be a need for healthcare services. Healthcare can be a rewarding long-term career for those looking to help others for a living. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of a career in healthcare.
A Strong Job Outlook
The future is bright for those who wish to pursue a career in healthcare. The industry has seen significant growth in the past and will continue to grow rapidly in the future.
There will always be a need for healthcare professionals and for strong, dedicated workers to fill these roles. With the aging population leading to greater demand for healthcare services,1 a career in healthcare is a reliable long-term option for those with a healthcare degree.
Considerable Career Options
Within the field of healthcare, there are countless career possibilities available for people at all skill and education levels. These include the following:
- Medical and health services manager
- Facilities manager
- Athletic trainer
- Medical records specialist
- Health information technologist/medical registrar
- Nursing instructor/teacher
- Registered nurse
Each of the careers above requires a different level of education, so be sure that you check the degree requirements for the healthcare career you wish to pursue.
Room for Advancement
Whatever career you plan to pursue, at some point you will probably want the option to advance in your field. Healthcare is a constantly evolving with many opportunities for growth and advancement. In some cases, you will need to further your healthcare education to qualify for advancement, which may mean earning your master’s or doctoral degree. You may be able to use skills gained on the job to transfer to a new niche within the field of healthcare.
Career Flexibility
While studying for a healthcare degree, you will gain a wide range of skills and knowledge that can be applied in a variety of settings. No matter where you pursue your career, it is likely that healthcare workers will be in high demand. While enrolled in a program of study, you will be trained in patient care, leadership and management, healthcare trends and more, all of which can be used in any healthcare setting.
Additionally, many of the skills you will learn in a degree program, such as time management, critical thinking, teamwork and communication, will apply to any career, even those outside the field of healthcare. These are skills that employers from all fields look for in their employees, so developing them is essential to any profession.
Aspiring healthcare professionals can choose a path that is aligned to their specific interests. Find a healthcare degree program that includes your desired specialty and that works with your desired population. For example, if you wish to pursue a career in healthcare administration, you should look for a program with an emphasis on healthcare quality and patient safety.
Personal Fulfillment
The choice to pursue a career in healthcare can be rewarding; healthcare professionals have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through their work. They interact daily with people from a variety of backgrounds, developing relationships and providing treatments that make a positive impact on their patients’ lives. Whether you work as a nurse, an athletic trainer, a healthcare administrator or any of the countless other jobs in healthcare, you will know that you are playing a significant role in improving the quality of life of patients.
Grand Canyon University aims to provide an exceptional academic experience for every student. If you would like more information about GCU’s healthcare and nursing programs, including the Master of Science in Health Administration with an Emphasis in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety, visit GCU’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions or click the Request More Information button at the top of this page.
1Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Healthcare Occupations in February 2022
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
