It isn’t easy to work in healthcare, especially right now as we continue to live through a public health emergency caused by the ongoing spread of COVID-19. However, there are millions of healthcare professionals in the United States and around the world who are doing an incredible job under difficult circumstances. There are many unique challenges that those who work in healthcare face now more than ever, but it’s important to prepare for and overcome them if you want to do your job well. If you’re in the healthcare field, read on for three secrets to being an exceptional healthcare worker.
1. Find the right job for your skills and interests.
Doctors can start thinking about the right jobs for their skills and interests as early as medical school. Arash Bereliani is a great example of a physician who used his clinical interest in cardiology to build a successful career focused on heart health. He even gives back to his community through significant fundraising efforts to support research on heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease and created a foundation that helps patients with little or no income access heart disease testing.
Knowing where to look for healthcare jobs can be tricky, but resources like the Fusion healthcare marketplace can be extremely helpful. You can search for a wide range of healthcare jobs across multiple staffing agencies in one central location. Fusion’s marketplace is particularly useful for those who want to work as travelers, which can give you more control over your career and your salary. Anyone with experience in the industry knows that it isn’t just about finding a job: It’s about finding a place where you’ll grow and thrive.
2. Learn how to manage stress.
One thing that all careers in healthcare have in common is that they can be incredibly stressful. It isn’t easy to be in a position where you’re responsible for the health and safety of others on a regular basis. The quality of your decision-making skills will play a huge role in your patient outcomes, so you owe it to yourself and the people you treat to make sure you can stay focused under pressure. With long hours and a heavy workload, it’s essential that you find ways to relax.
3. Be proactive about leading a healthy lifestyle.
Staying healthy is necessary for healthcare workers, though they’re also at greater risk than the average person, in part due to the global pandemic. Not only are you a role model for your patients, but the choices you make outside the office can also affect your ability to provide the best possible care. At the moment, that means following all CDC guidance surrounding COVID-19 and learning how to communicate that guidance effectively to the patients you work with.
Healthcare workers can also struggle to get enough sleep, in part due to their difficult schedules. However, this can be extremely detrimental to your ability to perform the functions of your job. There are several serious side effects that can be caused by sleep deprivation, many of which can directly affect your safety and the safety of your patients. For example, lack of sleep can cause memory problems, trouble with thinking and concentration, and a reduction in problem-solving skills, all of which are necessary for anyone with a job in healthcare.
As you can see, it isn’t easy to work in the healthcare field. Finding a job that’s well suited to your clinical interests and talents is a good place to start. Once you have a position you’re happy with, you can focus on learning how to perform the duties of your job. You’ll also want to prioritize a healthy lifestyle and take care of yourself, as not doing so can negatively affect your patients and impact the decisions you make for them. There’s a lot that goes into providing quality care, but it’s worth making the effort if you want to be the best healthcare worker that you can be.
