If you enjoy studying science and have a passion for helping people, you would want to pursue a career in healthcare. There are different kinds of jobs in healthcare and each has its own set set of responsibilities. However, before you make a decision about your future, it is important to know whether working in healthcare is worth it. You can figure out the answer to that question by comparing the pros and cons of working in healthcare. 

Pros of Working in Healthcare

Here are some of the reasons why working in the healthcare industry is worth it:

High Demand

Whether you are a doctor or a nurse, you will always be in high demand. The healthcare staffing shortage has increased at an alarming rate in the past couple of years. After the pandemic hit, many healthcare workers decided to quit or take a break for their mental health. As a result, the industry is in need of new workers. 

It is also worth mentioning that people will always need healthcare professionals. Regardless of the state of the world or the economy, healthcare will always be one of the basic needs of the general population. As a result, if you decide to pursue a career in healthcare, you can rest assured that you will be able to get hired easily. 

Specialisations

If you work in healthcare, you can choose a career path that suits your interests. The healthcare industry not only has different kinds of jobs (doctors, nurses, etc.) but also allows you to specialise in a field. You can decide to work with children or the elderly depending on your preferences. 

You can also decide whether you want to pick a more hands-on career or work in administration. There are also different types of settings you can work in including hospitals, research facilities, and medical schools. 

Stimulating Work Environment

If you want to work in a mentally stimulating environment, there’s no better option than a career in healthcare. The work you do in the healthcare industry will be both challenging and rewarding. You will have to face new challenges every day, which means you will also get to learn new things daily. 

It is important to remember that you will have to use your critical thinking skills and adaptability to resolve complex issues that arise in healthcare frequently. If you pick a healthcare career, you can rest assured that you will not only get to help people but you will also never be bored. Due to this, you will also get to enjoy high levels of job satisfaction. 

Flexible Schedules

One of the biggest advantages of working in healthcare is that you can decide when you want to work. You can take on night or day shifts depending on your preferences. You can also decide to work part-time instead of full-time and only do weekends or weekdays. 

The ability to choose shifts will help you plan family days and rest days. You can also use the flexibility in your schedule to enroll in part-time courses to gain further education. 

Cons of Working in Healthcare

Although working in healthcare has many benefits, there are also a few downsides to it. 

Working in Healthcare Can Cause Physical Problems

A job in healthcare often means working for long hours. Doctors and nurses often have to stand for hours while on duty. As a result, they end up developing fatigue and backaches. Since healthcare professionals working full-time don’t get enough rest days, health-related issues can become chronic illnesses. 

Nurses are at a higher risk of developing back issues since they also have to take care of patients and help them with exercises. It is important for nurses to find jobs where they can get sufficient rest days. 

Emotional Stress

A healthcare career can be emotionally exhausting for most people. Having to treat seriously ill patients or delivering the news of a patient’s death to their family can take a toll on your mental health. Doctors also get affected by high-pressure situations where they have to make critical decisions. 

Working for long hours is another reason why healthcare causes more emotional stress than other professions. When nurses and doctors have to work in the emergency ward, they see all kinds of serious medical cases, which can add to their overall stress. 

If you decide to work in the healthcare industry after weighing the pros and cons, make sure to reach out to ESGO. ESGO can help you find nursing jobs that won’t take a toll on your mental and physical health.