7 Best Reasons to Get into Healthcare Right Now

It’s not unusual to use a recession to make a major career change. While others are floundering, you can be advancing your career by going to school or pursing an entirely new path. These days, the healthcare industry is very popular – and with good reason! Healthcare is only of the only places that has added jobs in the last 2 months. Healthcare workers are also unable to be outsourced and will always been in demand as long as people are catching colds, breaking bones, and having babies.

There are countless reasons why a healthcare career might be right for you. Here are just a few:

1. Healthcare professionals are in demand.

Unlike almost every other industry today, healthcare is actually hiring! Over 50,000 jobs were added in January 2009, plus 29,000 more in February. Some of the most popular occupations were registered nurses, medical assistants, and primary care physicians.

2. There are tons of options.

No matter what sort of education or experience you have, you can apply yourself to a healthcare career. The thought of blood make you squeamish? Careers in healthcare administration or medical coding/billing involve little to no interaction with patients. Love interacting with people? Nurses and medical assistants are often the first people to see a patient when they come into a hospital or clinic. You’ll get tons of exposure to a large variety of patients. Because there are so many healthcare jobs, you’re bound to find one that suits your interests.

3. You don’t need an advanced degree.

Despite what you may think, most healthcare careers don’t require an advanced degree. Physicians actually make up only a small portion of healthcare professionals. There are dozens of careers that ask for just an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Don’t let a perceived lack of education keep you from working in healthcare.

4. Room to advance.

Many healthcare jobs offer tons of room for advancement as well as chances to take on leadership roles. What’s more, many skills are transferable from one career to the next. Tired of your job as a medical assistant? Got back to school for your Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse! You’ll already have great experience and there’s a chance that many of your classes will feel like review.

5. You can expect job stability.

Unlike a need for big screen TVs and fancy cars, healthcare is always in demand no matter where the economy takes us. People will always get sick. Women will always give birth. Medical bills will always need processing. Because of this, healthcare workers can expect to have relatively stable careers. Of course, every region and facility is different, but even with downturns, healthcare professionals can expect to see their jobs remain necessary. What’s more, healthcare workers can’t be out-sourced. It would be impossible to treat or diagnose a patient from thousands of miles away.

6. It’s rewarding.

How do you feel after volunteering at your local homeless shelter, or participating in a mentor program? You feel great, right? How would you like to feel like that on a daily basis? Healthcare workers get to make a difference every day. You don’t have to be a trauma physician to change someone’s life. The nurse who takes an extra ten minutes to get to know her patients, or the rad tech who comforts a nervous patient can have an even greater impact than a surgeon.

7. It’s exciting.

You’re changing lives on a daily basis! How can that not be exciting? Many healthcare workers get to build their careers on excitement and adrenaline. This can be a fast-paced, challenging job where you get to do something different every day. Why sit at a desk when you can be taking vitals, deciphering x-rays, drawing blood, and so much more?

Ready to get started with your healthcare career? Check out AllHealthcare.com for career advice, networking opportunities, and quizzes to help you determine which healthcare career is right for you.

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Georgia Price is the Associate Editor of AllHealthcare,com, a social and professional networking site for healthcare professionals, students, and industry advocates.