While there will always be a demand for healthcare jobs, it takes a special type of person to actually work in the healthcare space; someone who can work well under pressure, with equal parts competency and compassion.
But, like any other profession requiring years of school and on the job training, you’ll want to know what you’re up against before making such a big commitment.
Understand What You’ll Be Getting Into
If you’re thinking about going into nursing or applying for medical school, you’ll want to get a sense of whether you’re the right fit for the position before you’re in it for the long haul. Most schools seek applicants that have a passion for healthcare—whether that’s demonstrated through volunteer work, college or community leadership or involvement in a number of health-oriented activities (sports, nutrition, etc.)—the ideal candidate is someone who has a track record of being involved in a variety of extracurricular activities that show well-roundedness and the ability to maintain a work-life-school balance, important for msn to nurse practitioner.
As Well as Your Job Prospects
After you’ve completed school (or graduation day is looming), you’ll want to have an idea of what you’ll actually be doing to put that training to good use. Doctors that have completed the years of medical school have more of a clear cut trajectory than nurses or those in hospital administration.
If you’ve studied nursing, there are a number of options at your disposal. 360 Healthcare Staffing, for example, has LPN jobs available across the US—interim, travel, contract, and direct hire positions—offering some flexibility when it comes to career moves.
Softer Skills You Need to Succeed
You may be a math whiz, a biology savant or have a voracious interest in all things related to how the human body works, but there are some critical qualities that you’ll need to be successful beyond being knowledgeable in your chosen field. Here are some of the softer qualities that make a healthcare professional a trusted member of the community:
Great Interpersonal Skills
Communication is key. As a healthcare professional, you’ll need to be able to build relationships with your patients and colleagues, and both listening and speaking skills are extremely important. Patients come in with concerns and need to feel that the healthcare professional listens to their ailments and takes them seriously—and the way in which you speak to each of those concerned and address medical issues goes a long way in helping find successful treatments.
Empathy
You’ll need to be able to relate to patients and truly understand their concerns. No patient wants to visit a healthcare provider only to get the sense that the person who helped them did not care about their ailments or the outcome. According to a study published in Academic Magazine, patients who receive high levels of empathetic engagement from doctors or other medical staff are more likely to stay on track during treatment and are more likely to return for future visits.
Respectful and Professional
Professionalism isn’t a clear cut trait, but you know it when you see it, and you definitely notice when it is absent. Healthcare professionals must possess the appropriate demeanor, as well as the proficiency to carry out the demands of the job with respect, proper attention to the patients and the ability to put the well-being of others above their own self-interests.
Additionally, patients look for healthcare providers who make them feel like people—treating them with dignity and respect, even when symptoms or health problems get a bit messy. Respectful healthcare providers also avoid speaking to patients with too much jargon or a condescending tone. Patients want to understand the full scope of their health and need to feel assured you can help them safely overcome their concerns.
You’re Thorough
Those thinking about entering the medical healthcare industry need to understand that even a single mistake could do some serious, permanent damage to someone else’s life. Being as thorough as possible during patient visits—asking all the right questions and paying very close attention to details can save patients the headache of coming in for multiple visits, or more importantly, from future ailments.
Continues the Learning Process
Any great medical professional understands that they are never done learning. Doctors, nurses and medical assistants alike should keep up with the latest research and training—attending seminars, taking classes and reading industry journals. The medical field is always changing, and you’ll need to possess the flexibility and the hunger for knowledge for a long and successful career.
Aaron Barton says, here at 360 Healthcare Staffing, our culture is beyond fast-paced. It requires collaboration and multi-tasking daily. Our environment is built on accountability and communication. Not surprising when you consider that we work with the best talent in the post-acute care industry. Things change here by the hour so the challenge is constant. You have to be at the top of your game because our clients expect excellence and that’s what we deliver. We have top talent here and I’m proud to be part of the team that is leading the industry.
