Today, many healthcare organizations expect students to focus on their own careers, so if you want to see growth, you may find you need to take responsibility yourself. Making the right decisions and prioritizing skill development can help you advance quickly.
Focus on Furthering Your Education
In healthcare, learning never ends because new advances are being made all the time. In fact, if you do not obtain more formal education, you may find your career stagnates. The good news is there are plenty of opportunities for advanced degrees or certificates in your field. If you are a nurse, you might go on to get a master’s degree in a specialty like oncology or pediatrics. If you want to become a manager someday, you will likely need to obtain your master’s. Getting any type of degree can be expensive, but there are some options for paying for school. Student loans can cover the difference between your savings and the remaining balance. You may consider looking into Earnest student loans as an option.
Taking Initiative
If you want to work as a leader in your field someday, you should start taking the initiative now to get there. Make sure you take your work seriously and ask for more when you finish it. Accept accountability and share credit with other people where applicable. Those who just show up to get the job done and then leave are not the ones who advance in their careers. Instead, those who are passionate and become experts in their fields will move up to higher positions.
Building Your Network
Networking is important in any career, and healthcare is no exception. As you continue to meet new people, you can gain new industry-related information and learn how to solve different problems. Your fellow healthcare providers are excellent sources of information that you might not find online. Especially since there are some medical careers you can pursue without finishing college, you’ll want to have as large of a network as possible. Using professional social networking tools can help you connect with a diverse range of individuals.
One way networking might help is by getting you connected with professionals who may act as a mentor. A mentorship relationship can take time, so you may want to have multiple mentors. For instance, you might want to connect with a hospital administrator and a supervisor if you work in a hospital. Don’t be afraid to seek this type of advice, as many people enjoy the chance to share the insights they have gained during their careers.
Sticking to Professional Values
No matter the organization, they will have a list of professional elements everyone needs to adhere to. These might include maintaining confidentially, having integrity, advocating for patients, and respecting everyone. While your organization’s values are a great starting point, make sure to cultivate other ones as well, like compassion. Consider working on soft skills, such as decision-making and interpersonal skills.
Take Additional Training
If your organization offers classes on-site or online, consider taking them. You might be cross-trained on various responsibilities, and these things can open more doors for you. It also helps you advance in your career, as you will have additional skills. Growing and developing in your work will follow.