Is Healthcare a Good Career Choice?

Did you know that no other industry in the country is expected to see more growth than healthcare? But that isn’t the only reason to enter the field. In fact, for you, it may be only one small reason. If you want a long and rewarding career that will provide you with meaning and purpose, healthcare has many options and opportunities.

Why Is Healthcare in Such Demand?

In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of people need medical services. Even before COVID, there was a resurgence in demand. Part of that was because Baby Boomers – those are the people you know born between 1946 and 1964 – have gotten older. And they’re still here. We love that! But they require more medical attention than their younger friends. Also, when the Affordable Healthcare Act became law, it provided for health insurance for people who hadn’t been covered before. With more coverage, more people started getting routine checkups and treatment. Because there is demand for healthcare services, there is a need for qualified workers in the field.

Helping Others through a Healthcare Career

Ask anyone in healthcare why they chose the field, and you’ll likely hear that they wanted a job helping others. Especially for frontline workers like nurses, doctors, and therapists, their careers are about sacrifice, commitment, and the opportunity to help people. But the industry also relies on countless other skilled professionals working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. And never have these dedicated teams been tested more than during the pandemic. But they continue to work tirelessly because it’s their purpose and their passion.

Job Satisfaction in a Healthcare Career

Healthcare workers tend to be satisfied in their jobs, citing a variety of reasons depending on their roles. For example, many nurses say they are extremely satisfied, pointing to the opportunity to make people’s lives better. They even save lives! Nurses say they have a sense of purpose, like their colleagues, and feel appreciated. But even those who don’t work directly with patients—like people in administration—feel they make a positive impact.

Variety and Opportunity in a Healthcare Career

With more than 20 million people working in healthcare and social assistance, there are hundreds of different jobs you can choose from. In addition to patient care, and facility and personnel administration, there are numerous jobs in health information technology. There are also many opportunities to grow in your career. For example, with a bachelor’s degree in biology, you might find entry level work in the field or continue onto medical school.  If your undergraduate degree is in Health Care Administration, you might begin work but also attend an online MBA program in Health Care Administration program. That way you could put what you learn in the classroom to immediate use in your career.

Healthcare Industry Salary and Benefits

If you’re willing to work hard and continually hone your skills, healthcare offers good benefits and competitive salaries. You might expect doctors to earn well, but  administrators can also be very well compensated. And even lower-waged earners often enjoy good health benefits. From patient care experts such as Physician’s Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Occupational Therapists to people who are part of the broader healthcare system, like Pharmacists, tech experts, and even those who work for insurance companies, there are numerous opportunities for good long-term career benefits.