The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected most professionals. Apart from working from home, a good number took the time to reflect on whether they were in the right career, and many opted to change professions.
Some chose to train as healthcare professionals with the understanding that their existing credentials would allow them to gain the necessary qualifications in a couple of years.
It isn’t too late to join the healthcare profession, especially if you would like to train as a nurse. For those who would like to join nursing at the basic level and then work their way up, all that’s needed is a high school diploma and a 3.0 GPA. It also helps if you performed well in the sciences.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, there are universities in the US that offer courses designed to help working professionals make the transition into healthcare.
For practicing nurses who think that it’s time to get the necessary qualifications for a career boost, an online MSN-AGPCNP program, such as the one available from the University of Indianapolis. is recommended. To qualify for the course, you need to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an active Registered Nurse (RN) license. You should have a GPA of 3.0 and at least two years of clinical experience. A letter of recommendation from your employer would give you an added boost.
The course transitions you into management nursing. You may still have contact with patients, but you can expect to supervise other nurses, represent them in management meetings, and carry out advanced nursing practices such as health policy and advocacy.
Making the transition from one career to another isn’t easy. It is riddled with uncertainties. Most people who have done it will tell you that they worried about securing a good job in their new career, forfeiting established careers for the unknown, and even whether or not they would like the new path on which they were embarking.
Healthcare is all about helping people, and you have heard countless times that it is a fulfilling career choice.
Whether you are a young person going to college for the first time or a practicing professional considering enrolling on an online MSN-AGPCNP program, it helps to know exactly what you’ll get out of your career.
What are the other benefits of becoming a healthcare professional?
The benefits will vary depending on where you are employed, but some are enjoyed by all.
1. You can grow
One of the best things about this career is that it has plenty of room for professional growth. Nurses in particular stand to enjoy this benefit. They can start as RNs, and with continued education, go as high as hospital administration or even crafting health policy for public and private institutions.
Some nurses are happy to specialize in a particular area, such as pediatrics or geriatric care, and become experts in their field.
2. Healthcare offers job security
In a world where many find their jobs threatened by technological advances, healthcare remains a secure profession. We are yet to see robots or programs that can take over the routine care of patients, and if the experts are to be believed, they are a long way off.
3. You can work in any number of settings
Maybe working in a hospital isn’t your cup of tea. You don’t have to give up on your dream of becoming a nurse, for example, because there are so many other places you can work.
Schools, prisons and universities regularly employ healthcare professionals. Some choose to work for private patients in their homes, and others work in government or private rehab facilities. Some are employed in sports, others work in travel healthcare, and some opt for community nursing, a growing field with lots of promise. The best nursing agency can help you get the job of your preference.
4. You can move to any place in the US
Healthcare practitioners are needed all across the US. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare is one of the fastest-growing professions, with employment opportunities projected to rise by about 6% in the coming decade for registered nurses.
As long as you are properly qualified, you shouldn’t find it hard to secure employment anywhere in the country.
5. Healthcare is evolving
The shift toward patient-centered care is growing, and many institutions understand its benefits and are seeking ways to implement it. It offers practitioners the chance to make a real difference for those they care for. It is also a great opportunity for those who get in early. If you can demonstrate competency in this area, employers will be happy to reimburse you generously for your efforts.
Conclusion
Healthcare has always been a profession to which many have aspired. Whether you are changing careers or getting into it right after college, there are many benefits, and you can expect to have a rewarding, well-paid career making a real difference to people’s lives.
