The healthcare industry can be a demanding, exhausting, and thrilling career path, but as with any job, there may come a time when you feel it is time for a change. If you are starting to feel unhappy at work, unfulfilled, or unmotivated, or you are finding it is negatively impacting your well-being or personal life, it can be an indicator that something is not right, and a career switch could help.
While it may be tempting to change gears and enter a completely different industry, switching to a different role within the healthcare sector is also a possibility that can help achieve the same outcome. Whether you’re looking to move into a management role or researching options for an FNP certificate program to take on a new challenge, there are plenty of options for those looking to pivot from their career in clinical healthcare rather than completely leave it.
If you are considering a new direction, read on to discover all about the signs that tell you it’s time, and the smartest ways to make the pivot.
First things first: how to know it’s time for a career change
Change is something that can be both craved and feared, and when it comes to our careers, there is an added layer of complexity. Not only do we often define ourselves by our jobs, but they also dictate the lifestyle we can lead.
When we start to consider shaking up something that is this integral in our lives, it can be stressful, but despite this, there are signs it might be time for a career change to ensure we are not negatively impacting our physical and mental health. These signs may include:
- A lack of motivation: feeling uninspired by the work you are doing, and only getting by with the bare minimum.
- Experiencing anxiety or dread: experiencing feelings of anxiety or dread regarding attending work.
- A lack of fulfillment or purpose: lacking a sense of direction or feeling of purpose relating to your job.
- Experiencing burnout or exhaustion: constantly feeling tired, stressed, or overwhelmed because of your job.
- A misalignment with your values: feeling your work directly contradicts your personal beliefs, morals, or priorities, or is a job that “isn’t you”.
- Stagnation: being stuck in the same role with a lack of growth opportunities.
The benefits of making a career change
There are many benefits to making a career change or pivoting in the sector you already work in. While there are some less-than-ideal reasons you may want to make the switch, including to reduce stress levels or to remove yourself from a toxic environment, there are also some amazing perks. This may include:
- Increased job satisfaction: A new career path can better align with your interests and passions.
- Expanding your skill base: New challenges and environments can help you develop a more diverse range of skills.
- Career advancement: A new opportunity represents a chance to advance your career beyond your current position.
- Better compensation: Shifting jobs or roles has the potential to be more highly compensated.
- Better work-life balance: Shifting roles allows for the negotiation of a better work-life balance.
Pivoting in the healthcare sector
So you recognize you need a career change from your current clinical role, but still love being in the healthcare sector — how do you navigate this?
Luckily, leveraging the skills you already have is entirely possible to forge ahead with a new career path in healthcare, though there may also be instances where additional education may be required, depending on the experience you already have. Below are a few ways you might want to consider changing things up in your career and making that pivot.
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Education and training
Teaching the next generation of healthcare professionals is a fantastic way to remain in the sector and still engage with meaningful work. Teaching can occur at nursing school, college, or university, and may require you to obtain another degree to fulfill the specific licensing or certification requirements.
If teaching is not your style, developing educational training programs, or reviewing and critiquing educational content could also be options.
Content creation
Content creation offers an exciting opportunity for healthcare professionals to share expert opinions, information, and raise awareness of particular needs or causes to a much broader audience. Whether this is through the creation of blogs, videos, or patient testimonials, being able to make complex topics relatable is something uniquely suited to those already in the healthcare profession, and it opens the doors to many different content-related roles.
Policy and advocacy
The healthcare system is complex, and using your existing expertise to influence the system at a policy level offers the ability to create meaningful change at a grander scale. Some policy, advocacy, and public health roles may require further education, but they are the foundation for more effective processes and better outcomes, something many healthcare professionals are passionate about.
Media and public speaking
A good bedside manner is a must in clinical healthcare, and having this skill often means you are a good communicator in general. If you also enjoy making healthcare topics clearly understood, opportunities in the media or public speaking could be the path for you. Career options can include being a medical contributor for news broadcasters, conference speaking, an expert panelist, being a spokesperson for a medical company, or even contributing to or creating your own podcast.
Healthcare managers
Probably the closest pivot from clinical roles on this list, healthcare managers, also known as health service managers, directly manage hospitals and facilities. They are often in charge of managing the budget, staff, training requirements, work schedules, and organizing facility records. Sometimes this requires further education, but if you don’t want to completely leave clinical work, this could be your best option.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Hush Naidoo Jade Photography.
