Is a Health Career Right for You?

Home Care AssistantYou’re inspired to care for and help others, but is a health career right for you? Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you should enter this promising field.

Are You Excited by the Idea of Lifelong Learning?

The best health care practitioners are committed to giving their patients the best care possible. These health care practitioners prioritize keeping up with the latest developments in the field, continuing to study and learn long after their initial schooling ends. If you have a similar interest in lifelong learning, it’s a good idea to consider entering the health care field.

Are You Comfortable in a Fast-paced Health Care Setting?

How do you feel about facing life-and-death situations on a daily basis? In many health care positions, you’ll spend much of your time in the company of sick, disabled or dying people. Sometimes you might even lose a patient&mdashthe sad reality is that it happens in the field. Are you able to move beyond these tragic situations to see the amount of good you do for those who you help? If so, you’re exactly the type of person this growing field needs!

Are You a Team Player?

Health care is increasingly focusing on team work as patients’ recovery depends more and more on how well each member of the team performs his or her specific function and how well they communicate and collaborate with one another. Even dentists — 70% of whom work in a solo private practice — usually supervise and work closely with several staff members. When choosing a health care position, you’ll want to consider the amount of teamwork it requires to ensure it’s a good fit for you and your working style.

What Lifestyle Do You Envision?

Depending on the path that you choose to go down, you may end up working through emergencies on a daily basis, working extremely long hours and shouldering heavy responsibility. You’re at the point where you need to be realistic with yourself: If you don’t mind long workdays and are good at handling stress, go ahead and pursue a career that will demand that of you. But if you’d rather have a job with regular hours and fewer medical crises, there are plenty of other fulfilling health careers to consider.

The Takeaway

Health care is a vast field that offers a range of diverse opportunities. Do your research before deciding on a position to make sure you choose one that’s a good fit for you. Start with our Career Explorer as it collects details about all different types of health care positions and allows you to compare and contrast those that interest you.