If you are a naturally compassionate person and want to pursue a career in care, there are many options available depending on your specific area of interest.
Working in the medical industry is demanding, but it is rewarding and quite lucrative, depending on your specialism.
In addition, working in care isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life, and every role plays a crucial part in a patient’s journey. So, what are the options?
Doctor
Becoming a doctor is no easy ride.
First, most aspiring doctors need an undergraduate degree in science. Then, once they graduate, they will need four years of medical school.
After medical school, a newly qualified physician will spend time in paid residency; it can take 3-8 years in residence, depending on the specific area studied.
A GP doctor will typically work in the local area and serve the community.
General practitioners deal with all people, adults, and children, provide general advice, and prescribe medication for mild illnesses.
2They also refer people when there are symptoms, they can’t diagnose at the GP level.
GPS are also qualified to carry out examinations such as blood pressure, blood test, urine testing, and internal exams. They also perform minor surgery with the help of qualified nursing staff.
The advantage of becoming a GP is staying in one place and building connections with the community. Building trust and a good reputation is vital for a good physician and will go a long way towards creating a solid patient base.
Nursing
Pursuing a career in nursing is challenging but a great option as nurses tends to be in short supply.
Nursing is a job for compassionate souls and provides vital assistance and comfort to those in difficult situations because of illness.
Nurses are invaluable, and without good nursing staff, doctors, surgeons, and other specialists would find their job impossible to do competently.
Nursing can take you in all sorts of directions. For example, you could become an on-call nurse at complexes such as Brandywine Reflections, which provides medical care for elderly retirees living on the complex.
It is a rewarding role and one that helps improve the quality of life for older people needing support.
There are many options to specialize in nursing, such as pediatrics, baby care, palliative care, etc.
Nurses enjoy flexibility with work – there are a variety of shifts available to suit your particular lifestyle.
A healthcare career comes with a decent amount of job security as there are more jobs than nurses. Depending on where you live, there are several benefits and life insurances.
There are also excellent prospects if you decide to move up the career ladder.
There are plenty of opportunities to add to existing qualifications and expand your skillset.
You can apply for additional training at any time, and most companies will allow you to take advantage of extra training and courses.
Midwifery
Midwifery is a specialism and involves looking after women throughout their labor and assisting with birthing.
It isn’t for the fainthearted but a very rewarding career choice that can make a massive difference to the birthing experience of all women in your care.
If you are a nurse, you will need to complete a postgraduate degree in midwifery, although you do not need to be a nurse to become a midwife.
To become a midwife, you need a caring a compassionate disposition. But you will also need to be assertive and firm.
Caring for a woman during the most important event in her life isn’t easy but is extremely important. You will work with people from all different backgrounds and encounter all manner of behaviors.
You will need the ability to remain calm under pressure and instill confidence and calmness in the women you care for.
You will also need to be able to handle blood and bodily fluids and able to remain focused at all times.
It can be emotionally draining, and you will be faced with distressing situations at times, especially when things go wrong. Thankfully it is a rarity, but one that should be prepared for.
Surgeon
When you think of surgeons, it’s true to say they do save lives.
Everyday surgeons around the globe perform life-saving operations thanks to the fantastic development of modern medicine.
So, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in surgery, what do you need to consider?
To be a successful surgeon, you must have excellent motor skills with near-perfect hand-eye coordination.
In addition, all operations require the utmost control, and even a tiny error can have devastating consequences.
Surgeons need to have nerves of steel. So often, things happen very fast on the operating table, and it’s crucial they can adapt swiftly while remaining completely in control.
An essential quality for a successful surgeon is stamina. Some operations are incredibly complex and take many hours to perform.
Therefore, focus and concentration are vital to complete an operation successfully.
A surgeon needs to be a natural leader. He must give clear and consistent instructions and communicate effectively to those in his team as several operation team members.
Paramedic
A paramedic deals with emergency health situations daily.
They will be sent to those having called an ambulance and assess whether people need to attend the hospital or can be treated at the scene.
There are many routes into paramedicine.
You can take a degree apprenticeship or take an undergraduate degree; It’s a good idea to spend some time volunteering with the ambulance service to get an idea of what a typical day may be like.
Paramedics need to be strong-minded, adaptable, and able to stay calm in emergencies.
Paramedic training will give you the skills required to resuscitate someone and stabilize those who have had fits, taken an overdose, suffered a heart attack.
In addition, they will learn how to use various life-saving equipment and how to administer certain medications.
They will even know how to perform emergency medical procedures such as tracheotomy to clear patients’ airways if they are choking or have something lodged in the throat.
Working in care offers a wealth of opportunity, long-term security, and job satisfaction. So why not start your journey now.