Choosing a career path and finding the right university that offers programs to help you meet your career goals can seem like a daunting task. Reflecting on your motivations and passions is a great place to start when deciding on a career path. If you find yourself possessing a deep-seated passion for positively impacting others, promoting healing, and demonstrating unwavering dedication, a career in healthcare may be your destined calling. The health sciences offers a wide array of professional opportunities, especially for those who have a passion for serving others. This blog will provide you with career ideas, degrees to explore, skills needed, and the advantages of working in healthcare.

Topics Covered:

• Careers for Helping People
• Skills Needed in Healthcare
• Advantages of Working in Healthcare
• Health Sciences Degree

Recommended Links:

• https://www.lapu.edu/program/health-sciences-a-s/
• https://www.lapu.edu/program/health-sciences-b-s/
• https://www.lapu.edu/program/pre-nursing-health-sciences/

Healthcare Careers for Helping People

There is a wealth of promising career opportunities in healthcare and below are a few options accompanied by their average salaries in the United States for you to learn more about and consider. These careers typically require an associate or bachelor’s degree in health sciences, and further educational pursuits may be necessary based on your desired professional level and salary.

Registered Nurse:

• A registered nurse, often referred to as RNs, works directly with patients to coordinate and educate them about various health conditions. Depending on where they work, their specific responsibilities and duties can change. Typically, RNs work with a team that can include physicians and other health specialists, dependent on patient needs.
• According to Indeed, the average registered nurse salary in the United States is $92,672 as of November 23, 2023, but the range typically falls between $60,633 and $141,639 (Indeed)

Health Educator:

• A health educator assists with developing health education programs that are used to increase community awareness and knowledge about health and wellness. Ultimately, helping people live a healthier life. In this position, one typically presents, trains, and distributes educational materials and resources.
• According to Indeed, the average health educator salary in the United States is $32,237 as of November 23, 2023, but the range typically falls between $24,812 and $56,697 (Indeed). The range of salary depends on education, certifications, experience, and other factors.

Community Health Worker:

• A community health worker, also referred to as CHW, is a frontline public health worker. These individuals are trusted members who have a close relationship and understanding with the community they serve. While they work in all geographic settings, they are mostly found in underprivileged communities. They tend to bridge health or social services with the community.
• According to Indeed, the average community health worker salary in the United States is $37,507 as of November 23, 2023, but the range typically falls between $60,633 and $141,639 (Indeed).

Laboratory Manager:

• A laboratory manager brings together managerial skills with their knowledge or lab safety to ensure the lab functions properly. They oversee staffing scheduling to make sure there are enough staff on to complete projects while also keeping track of and ordering supplies needed for experiments and testing.
• According to Indeed, the average lab manager salary in the United States is $$87,701 as of November 23, 2023, but the range typically falls between $60,033 and $128,120 (Indeed).

Skills Needed to Work in Healthcare

In the dynamic field of healthcare, possessing a unique blend of skills is important  to delivering exceptional patient care. Empathy and compassion form the cornerstone of meaningful interactions, forging connections that contribute to better outcomes and patient satisfaction. Beyond these essential qualities, personal skills and clinical skills are equally vital. Together, these skills create a well-rounded healthcare professional equipped to navigate the complexities of the industry with empathy, precision, and unwavering dedication. With empathy and compassion being so important in this field, we find it necessary to further highlight these two skills:

• Empathy
  • You may be thinking “why is empathy important in healthcare” or “how can empathy be considered a healthcare skill”? Well, empathy is highly effective and powerful when shown in a healthcare setting. Being able to connect and build relationships with your patients can lead to better outcomes; adhering to treatment plans, taking prescriptions as prescribed, as well as having more satisfaction. When patients feel understood and supported, it builds trust, encouraging open communication and a more positive patient-provider relationship.
• Compassion
  • Showing compassion in a healthcare setting offers patients reassurance and comfort. When you are in pain, feeling ill, or suffering, someone showing you compassion can lower stress levels and allow one to feel well cared for.
  • Being compassionate can be shown in many ways, for example, compassionate care in nursing can be as simple as acknowledging your patients’ feelings and actively listening to them. A compassionate healthcare environment not only addresses physical ailments but also acknowledges and responds to the emotional and psychological aspects of a patient’s experience.

Personal Skills:

• Patience
• Good Communication
• Listening Skills
• Positive Attitude
• Effective Time Management

Clinical Skills:

• First Aid/CPR
• Adhere to HIPAA / HIPAA compliance
• Check and monitor vital signs
• Assess a patient’s symptoms
• Advise patients on treatment options

5 Advantages of Working in Healthcare

The healthcare industry offers many compelling benefits, regardless of your specific interest. Here are a few reasons you may be interested in considering a healthcare degree and career:

Fulfilling Work:

• You will make a difference in others’ lives
• Facing and overcoming challenges can be rewarding and motivating

Pays Well:

• Above-average earning potential
• Feel appreciated for your work through compensation

Job Opportunities:

• Healthcare industry is growing and expanding
• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care occupations are projected to grow by 13 percent between 2021 and 2031 (BLS).

Continued Education:

• Many opportunities for advancement
• Successfully complete certificates or master programs such as a master’s in public health
• Can cross-train, attend seminars, workshops, and other trainings

Flexible Schedules:

• Ability to work three 12-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts; 3 or 4 days off per week
• Day or night shifts available and job dependent, even remote work

Health Sciences Degree

Working in healthcare has many benefits and can be rewarding for you, especially if you find that you are an empathetic and compassionate person. While getting started in the healthcare industry can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you don’t know what area you want to work in, you can begin by simply exploring different degree options. Los Angeles Pacific University is a great place to start as we have multiple online healthcare related degrees. Click here to learn more today!

LAPU Health Sciences Degrees:

• Associates in Health Sciences (A.S.)
• Bachelor’s in Health Sciences (B.S.)
• Pre-Nursing Health Sciences (Courses)
• Master’s in Public Health (MPH)