If you like helping people, one of the most logical industries to enter is healthcare. However, the altruistic aspect of healthcare work is only one of its many benefits. Entering the healthcare field also provides an excellent foundation for future career growth and job security.
In fact, healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects healthcare employment to expand 16% from 2020 to 2030, adding approximately 2.6 million jobs in the United States during that time.
There is plenty of room for growth with healthcare careers. Besides setting yourself up for success and providing essential care to others, we have put together an extensive list of the benefits of working in healthcare to show you why a career in healthcare is so worthwhile.
1. High Earning Potential
Almost everyone will agree that the salary is a deciding factor when choosing a career path. While it is not the only relevant consideration when selecting a job, earning potential has a significant impact on your life. It is important to know your career choice will adequately compensate you for your work so you can live comfortably and securely.
When it comes to earning potential alone, healthcare is an excellent industry to enter. Most healthcare jobs offer competitive and lucrative salaries. This holds true whether you are a registered nurse, dental hygienist or surgeon. In many cases, the more education and expertise the position requires, the more lucrative the salary.
The BLS reports that healthcare workers made a median annual wage of $69,870 in 2020. In comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $41,950. The earning potential for healthcare workers is higher than it is for workers in other industries, making it a clear choice when you are looking for a high-paying career path.
2. Flexible Schedules
Many healthcare jobs have flexible scheduling options through self-scheduling. With self-scheduling, supervisors determine the work schedule and let workers select or trade shifts for themselves.
This kind of scheduling enables healthcare workers to enjoy an optimal work-life balance. As a result, healthcare workers can create a condensed, front-loaded schedule to have more focused time away from work, or they can organize their schedule around other important commitments.
The long, irregular hours that healthcare workers often work emphasize the importance of flexibility in healthcare positions. It is important for healthcare workers to have a degree of control over their schedules to maintain a healthy work-life balance — and self-scheduling allows that to happen.
3. Educational Path Variety
Healthcare education ranges from one-year programs to eight years of schooling and residency. This variety gives you many educational paths to consider. The most lucrative positions have extensive education requirements. However, numerous other healthcare pathways also lead to well-paying and meaningful jobs.
For example, to become a medical sonographer, you only need two years of education to get your Associate’s degree or equivalent certification. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for medical sonographers in 2020 was $75,920, comparable to registered nurses, chiropractors and dental hygienists. These employees provide essential ultrasound services to help doctors diagnose, treat or monitor different medical conditions or pregnancies.
Likewise, you may start your healthcare career with a nursing assistant certification. After gaining experience and confirming your interest in nursing, you may decide to develop your career further and pursue a nursing degree. The nurse assistant certification and work experience will give you an advantage over other nursing school graduates in hiring pools. If you prove yourself to your employer as an exceptional nurse assistant, they may provide an incentive to help you develop your career with them.
One of the most unique parts of the healthcare field is that you have the opportunity to specialize in types of care. For instance, a medical doctor can specialize in pediatrics, cardiology, internal medicine, orthopedics and countless other medical fields. This is just one example of how healthcare employees can work in all kinds of settings.
4. Different Jobs for Different Personalities
Whether you like working with people or prefer to stay behind the scenes, there is a healthcare job for any personality type.
Perhaps you want to use your skills in a healthcare capacity, but you work better in non-patient-facing roles. In that case, you may enjoy working as a clinical lab technologist. On the other hand, maybe you see yourself helping people on the frontlines in healthcare. Numerous healthcare jobs allow you to function in that capacity, whether you do so as a registered nurse, nursing assistant or general physician.
Check out our list of healthcare programs at AIHT to see the range of jobs in the medical field:
- Cardiovascular Technologist
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
- Patient Care Technician
5. Stimulating Work Environments
Just as different healthcare jobs match different personalities, you can find a healthcare work environment that stimulates your interests. There are always new updates like ICD-10 that keep people learning.
Whatever healthcare career path you choose, you will have regular opportunities for new experiences and learning new things. You’ll interact with all sorts of different people, solve various problems and gain new skills regularly. Since healthcare workers are needed worldwide, you may also have the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world.
6. Fulfilling Work
If you understand the importance of your work and its benefit to others, you are more likely to enjoy what you do. The importance of healthcare and its benefits to others is clear. Your work helps individuals, families and communities find the necessary care to stay healthy and enjoy life.
While every job will feel mundane at times, it is helpful to choose a career where you can see its meaningful impact on those you serve. Working in a healthcare role will give you countless opportunities to help people. As you do so, you can look back on most days and see the positive impact you had on someone else’s life.
7. High Job Satisfaction
Healthcare workers have high job satisfaction rates. According to a 2019 survey, most people say that feeling as though their work is meaningful is the most important part of their jobs. Healthcare is one of the most meaningful fields in the world, as it is such a vital field. As a result, most healthcare workers are happy with their career choice, feeling that the benefits outweigh any obstacles they experience along the way.
Contact Us for More Information on the Healthcare Field
If you think healthcare is the right choice for you but are unsure of what path you should take, we would love to help you find your healthcare career path at AIHT! For more information on your options for working in the healthcare field, we welcome you to contact us today or schedule an appointment with our Admissions Department.
