Breaking Into The Medical Field

By Maria Garcia Ingier

The medical profession is among the most respected, rewarding professional careers with numerous opportunities to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Regardless of whether your dream is to be a doctor, nurse, or healthcare administrator, joining the profession requires dedication, education and hands-on experience. This guide will take you through the most important steps—from discovering your passion to getting the right qualification and achieving success in your profession.

Finding Your Passion for Medicine

Breaking into the medical profession begins with recognizing your enthusiasm for healthcare. Perhaps you're interested in caring for people, intrigued by the science of medicine, or motivated to impact public health. Whatever your motivation, it is critical to have a clear understanding of it. The medical profession demands commitment, perseverance and a commitment to continuous education. Trying various areas of healthcare—through shadowing professionals, volunteering at hospitals, or researching medical professions—can be a good gauge of whether or not this is the profession for you. Further, talking with seasoned professionals and reading accounts of real-world medical experiences can give you a sense of the day-to-day struggles and gratifications of working in the field.

Becoming a Nurse

Nursing is one of the most fulfilling and in-demand medical professions. It offers the best of hands-on patient care, opportunities for specialization in many areas and opportunities for leadership. Regardless of whether you choose to be a nurse practitioner (NP), a registered nurse (RN), or specialize in a particular area such as oncology or pediatrics, nursing presents many opportunities for professional growth. Many future nurses choose to take accelerated online BSN programs, which allow them to complete their education in a short period of time and get into the workforce faster. With flexible study options and high employment demand, nursing is a highly respected and rewarding healthcare profession. Also, nurses can work in numerous different environments, including hospitals, clinics, schools and research institutions, which makes it one of the most versatile healthcare professions.

Thinking About Multiple Career Options

There are numerous opportunities in medicine beyond practicing as a nurse or doctor. If you're interested in working with patients, you might explore mental health support, physical therapy or work as a physician assistant. Medical technology can be pursued by those with an interest in the medical profession through radiology, lab science, or biomedical engineering. Medical science and patient care are also supported by the fields of public health, medical research and healthcare administration. Telemedicine, healthcare informatics and mental health counseling are also new fields with promising new opportunities for healthcare professionals. Studying the numerous different healthcare careers will enable you to choose the best job for your skills and interests.

Education

Once you have established your desired profession, the next step is choosing the right education. Medical professions generally require degrees and certifications, ranging from associate degrees for medical assistants to doctorate degrees for doctors. Researching accredited programs, understanding admission criteria and choosing a school with your professional goals in mind are significant steps. Specialized medical programs are provided by most universities, with others providing accelerated programs for those wishing to get into the workforce in the most efficient time. Online education options are also provided, which have made medical education more accessible for students with diverse needs and schedules. The right school and study program are significant in order to lay the best foundation for your medical profession.

Gaining Practical Experience

While education is necessary, hands-on experience is equally essential when joining the medical field. Clinical rotations, internships and volunteering provide hands-on training and experience in real-world medical settings. These provide the ability to apply theory to the real-world setting, acquire patient-care skills and make professional connections. Many medical schools have clinical training as part of their curriculum, which prepares the graduates for the profession. Volunteering at hospitals, clinics, or community healthcare programs can also provide a resume boost and get your foot in the door in the highly competitive healthcare industry. Others go as far as to participate in international medical missions, which exposes them to healthcare situations in other regions of the globe while providing care to underserved populations, which adds experience to their professional resume.

From Student to Professional

Once you have completed your education and training, the next step is to secure your first job in the medical field. The transition includes the preparation of a good resume, networking with professionals in the medical field and obtaining the required certifications or licensure. Most healthcare organizations also have mentorship programs as well as residency programs for new graduates to transition into their role. It is also important to be industry-current with trends in the industry, with the new healthcare technology and telemedicine revolutionizing patient care. It might take patience and determination to secure your first job, but professional networking and persistence can help you find the right job. Job seekers should also explore opportunities in the private sector, the public healthcare sector, research institutions and non-profit organizations to ensure maximum chances of employment.

Creating a Successful Medical Career

Being a medical professional is more than getting a job—it’s about continuous education and professional growth. Medical professionals must keep up with medical advancements, undergo continuous training and acquire extra certifications when the situation demands it. Many medical professionals move into management, education, or research roles to extend their reach. Long hours, emotional stress and work-life balance, though, are issues that can be overcome. By keeping focused on personal and professional development, healthcare workers can design long-term, fulfilling careers impacting thousands of patients.