Do you see yourself having a career as a healthcare worker? It has always been a very respectable job as well as the people who decide to start their journey in medicine. This field of work is broad so there are many branches you could focus on – from practicing pediatrics to being a heart surgeon.
If you are reading this, then a medical career is something you have always dreamt since your childhood. You imagine yourself helping others become the healthiest version of themselves. However, when we are interested in something, we tend to only look at one side of the coin and ignore the reality. Before you start your medical school, let’s cover both the good and the bad sides of working in healthcare. This can help you give a different perspective and make your decision easier.
Helping Others
You are here for this reason in the first place, right? There is no more fulfilling job than having the opportunity to care for people who need medical help, whether that is mental or physical, urgent or not urgent cases. Patients and their families appreciate your time, knowledge, and quick response.
If you are a pediatrician, you can see a family grow and follow the baby’s life until they become grown people. Families will consider you a friend or even a part of their family because you were there in critical moments when they were worried or afraid and needed medical assistance. This is just one example of how important you are to them.
Working In A Big Team
If you have been watching TV shows involving doctors and nurses, you know how these relationships are strong. They will be your second family because you will work together every day and will go through both personal and professional things together.
Saving lives is everyone’s goal in healthcare which is why they have each other’s back. A team consists of people with different roles and backgrounds. This creates success because each person contributes to what they’re good at. After all, it is a great feeling when you are in a team that does good things every day.
Continuously Learning And Improving
Some may consider this a disadvantage because why should we learn after finishing school? If you agree with this then medicine is probably not for you. Choosing a job in healthcare implies you want to learn more and acquire that knowledge in your everyday practice. Medicine as a science is constantly evolving which means you should too.
Fortunately, healthcare workers are taking advantage of learning online, while they are taking a break at work or commuting. You can refresh your skills and get an ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification anytime you need. You should work on your education and keep up with the latest news in medicine.
You Are Always A Doctor
This does not come in handy when you go on a vacation and want to rest from the busy days at the hospital. The minute you tell someone your profession, they start telling you about their headaches, stomach issues, or back pain. Then you have to politely explain you are on a vacation and need your time to relax. People will understand but it is just their default response the same as when they are in the doctor’s office.
On the other hand, when someone needs urgent medical assistance, they are lucky that you are there to help them immediately. This brings us to the reason why you are a doctor after all, so being a doctor has its pros and cons.
Night Shifts And Long Hours
Working long night shifts and sleeping in an on-call room are the negatives of this job. It takes determination and great will to accept this. If you are a night owl and are equally concentrated at any time, then you won’t have an issue with this. It is important to take your night shifts seriously because lives depend on your final decisions.
To Conclude
Taking both sides into consideration, working in healthcare is no easy task. Your education starts early and stops when it is time to retire. Doctors and nurses need to continuously learn and put it into practice. Patients rely on you completely and that is a great responsibility. Although it may all sound terrifying, just think about how many people you could help in your lifetime.
