If you’re stuck in a dead-end position in the field of healthcare, don’t be alarmed; it happens a lot of times that the healthcare workers come up with a planned one-track in mind and discover that it does not suit them afterward. The good part is that the field of healthcare is large and has numerous possibilities of shifting tracks and expanding and finding a position that actually satisfies you.
Whether you’re an EMT looking to become a physician assistant, a nurse exploring healthcare technology, or a medical assistant considering public health, there are ways to take the leap. Here’s how you can successfully transition into a new healthcare field without feeling overwhelmed.
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What Is Missing?
Step away and recognize the reason you’re stuck before you jump ship. Is it burnout? Is it a need for career development? Do you need a better work/life balance? Realizing the reason will dictate the direction you need to take.
For example:
- If patient care is an area of passion and desire, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner position may be the answer.
- If the clinical environment is draining you, a move into medical research, health informatics, or the sale of pharmaceuticals might be an option worth considering.
- If teaching and mentoring interest you, consider teaching at a nursing or a medical school.
Leverage Your Transferable Skills
One of the best things about the healthcare industry is that skills are highly transferable. Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking are all assets that can help you pivot into different areas.
For example:
- Paramedics and EMTs have the quick decision-making skills that serve them well in emergency medicine, sports medicine, or the management of a crisis situation.
- Nurses also transition into case management, medical writing, and corporate wellness coaching.
- Administratively competent medical assistants can move into the area of healthcare administration or practice management.
Education Without Spending a Bundle
Certain career transitions will necessitate further training, yet that does not necessarily imply that you will need to take on a lot of debt. Seek out bridging programs, certification programs, and scholarships that will help mitigate the economic strain.
For example, scholarships provided by Royal Ambulance scholarships have allowed EMTs to enter paramedic programs, seek a nursing degree, and become a PA or physician. Likewise, numerous hospitals and organizations within the healthcare field also offer tuition reimbursement programs for workers who seek additional education.
Network Like Your Career Depends Upon It Because it Does
Networking extends beyond businesspeople—it’s also a life-changing strategy within the world of healthcare. Network with the individuals within the area of interest through LinkedIn, neighborhood networking events, or business organizations. Reach out to individuals who’ve made similar transitions and ask them how they got there.
Consider Visiting:
- Healthcare business conferences
- Internet forums and webinars
- Alumni networking events at the institutions that you’ve attended
You will get the chance if you put yourself out there enough times.
Think Of a Side Step, Not a Leap
Oftentimes, making a wholesale change of careers at once will not be feasible. Instead, try making a side move within the existing environment. If you’re working within a hospital, shadow a worker in a different area of the hospital. If you’re working within a private practice, ask if you might assume additional responsibilities within the direction of the career that you’re targeting.
For example:
- A bedside nurse interested in health tech could start working on electronic medical records (EMR) implementation projects.
- A paramedic with a teaching interest may begin training recruits or teaching CPR classes.
Accept the Unknown
It’s intimidating to transition careers—especially a medical career—if you don’t know whether it’s the correct decision and whether you’ll be starting completely over. The good news is that experience never goes to waste. Everything that you’ve worked at so far has built skills that will be useful.
Taking the initiative is the answer. Even small efforts like registering in a course, setting-up informational interviews, or volunteering in a different area will get the transition headed in the correct direction.
Being stuck does not necessarily mean that you’re stuck. The area of healthcare has a lot of possibilities—once you know how and where to find them. Your future in the field of healthcare may lie just a pivot away. Is it time to take that leap?
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The post Stuck in a Healthcare Career? How to Transition Onwards first appeared on YoungMoneyFinance.
