Are you contemplating a career in healthcare but aren't certain if it's the right field for you? While there is no guarantee that you will be happy in any given job, workers in this field typically share certain traits. If you recognize yourself in the description below, chances are you would make a great healthcare professional.
A Passion for Science
A career in healthcare may require both a technical understanding (needed to operate complex medical equipment) and knowledge of anatomy and physiology, biology, and technical courses. Different positions will focus more on one or the other of these topics, but if you are fascinated by them, you are off to a great start.
People Come First
In most healthcare positions, you will often interact with patients who are concerned about their health. This means that you will need to have more than just "people skills." To properly comfort patients and their families, you will need to be driven by compassion and the true desire to help people in difficult times. If people easily confide in you or ask you for advice, chances are your patients will do the same.
Blood and Needles: No Problem!
Do you shiver any time you enter a hospital or avoid looking at the needle when someone draws your blood? If so, you will definitely struggle trying to take care of patients. Picture yourself eating lunch while watching a stomach surgery. Grossed out yet? If not, you likely have the stomach to deal with anything that comes your way in your career.
Attention to Detail
When handling patient information or administering treatments, you need to be focused and detail-oriented. Making even a minor mistake could lead to an emergency. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to improve these skills and reduce the risk of errors, such as carefully observing medical check lists at your work place.
Hard Work Awaits
Working in healthcare can be demanding and stressful. You may end up working long shifts or be on call. While there are many positions with normal hours in health care, these can also prove to be emotionally and physically draining. But if you remain dedicated to your job, you will remember that healthcare is so intense because you are making a real difference.
Still not sure you are a healthcare professional? Although part of becoming a nurse is dependent on certain personality traits, there are other skills that you can work on and develop. During your career journey, look to fellow students, professors and colleagues to share strategies on everything from how to survive a long shift to how to prevent medical errors.
