Healthcare is one of the most rewarding industries to work in because you get to save lives and make a huge difference to people every single day. It is perhaps the noblest industry to work in but it is also an industry which is remarkably competitive. Many people want to work in healthcare because they want to help people and make a positive impact on the world. This means that it can be challenging for people to stand out in their chosen field and excel in the industry. Read on for a few ways to stand out in the healthcare industry.
Improve Workplace Performance
Like in most industries, one of the most effective ways that you can stand out from the crowd in any healthcare role is to improve your workplace performance. Make sure that you come into work each and every day and give 100% and go the extra mile with enthusiasm on your face – it is amazing the difference that this can have. Additionally, consider any areas in your role that you consider to be a weakness and take the required steps to turn these into strengths. It is hard to maintain this level of performance day in day out which is why it is vital that you look after your health (more on this to come).
Gain As Much Experience As Possible
Similarly, you should look to gain as much experience as possible so that you can learn on the job while also showing your passion for your work. This might include volunteering, signing up for presentations/research projects, sitting with patients after your shift ends, attending seminars or anything else which will help you to stand out from the crowd and get noticed.
Form Connections With Patients
When you work in healthcare you will be working with people who are suffering which can be challenging and upsetting. In order to excel, you will need to be able to form strong connections with patients while still retaining professionalism and being able to put your work behind you at the end of the day. This can be difficult to balance but becomes easier with time.
Bond With Co-Workers
You also need to form strong bonds with those that you work with on a daily basis. In addition to providing support for one another and ensuring that work is more enjoyable each day, this also demonstrates that you have good social skills and you are able to get along with people that you work with which is important for positions higher up the ladder.
Network
As in any industry, if you wish to further your career then you should be looking to network at every given opportunity. Networking is effective because it can help you to develop awareness about your ability and increase the likelihood of a new opportunity being presented to you. You should certainly use online platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit to network with other healthcare professionals but you should also attend industry events – meeting people in person will always be more impactful and memorable.
Find A Mentor
The healthcare industry is one which can be difficult to navigate and one which can take its toll. Having a mentor can be a huge help because you will have someone that can provide guidance, introduce you to their network and provide emotional support where needed. You can usually find a mentor at work or through a networking event but there are online programs where you can find a suitable individual too.
Improve Soft Skills
You can get ahead in practically any industry by improving your soft skills as these can be applied to any line of work but are particularly important in healthcare. The main soft skills to develop include:
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Teamwork skills
- Time management
- Self-motivation
- Problem-solving
- Ability to work under pressure
Identify which areas need work and then find ways to develop these soft skills – you can do this through research online, courses, and plenty of practice.
Make It Known That You Want To Progress
Letting your superiors know that you want to progress your career is important because it will stick in their mind and they can think of ways in which you can improve your chances. They might be able to send you to training opportunities, allow you to partake in a particular project or put your name forward for a vacancy. It will also alert them that you are motivated and may look elsewhere for opportunities if there is no clear path for you in your current place of work.
Explore External Opportunities
Leading on from this, do not shy away from looking for opportunities somewhere new as sometimes you will have to make a big change like this to progress your career. It can be daunting, but those that are serious about excelling in their industry must be willing to make big changes and take risks – this could even involve moving to an entirely new area.
Continue Studying
It is always a good idea to continue studying but particularly in healthcare. Earning further qualifications will make you much more employable and teach you the skills and/or knowledge that you need to excel while also showing that you have a passion for your work. Additionally, many healthcare qualifications can be taken online which will allow you to balance your work, life, and study. As an example, online nurse practitioner programs in Texas are designed for actively practicing RNs and will help you to advance your career to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Stay Current
Similarly, you should also stay current with the latest news and trends shaping your chosen field and healthcare as a whole. This is an industry which is constantly undergoing change and being able to adapt and stay current will be vital for long-term success. Not only this, but staying current will show your passion for your work which will help you to stand out from the crowd. You can stay current by reading respected publications, attending industry events, joining online communities, carrying out research and speaking with others in your field.
Set Yourself Goals
Setting yourself regular and achievable, yet challenging goals ensures that you are always moving forward. It is easy to tread water particularly in healthcare which can be such a demanding industry but when you have a goal to work towards it will keep you focused and motivated each and every day. You could set yourself personal targets but it is also worth speaking to your superiors to see if they have any ideas for valuable goals and targets.
Find Ways To Separate Professional & Personal Life
It can be particularly challenging to separate your professional and personal life when you work in healthcare. This is because it can take up so much of your time and energy, plus you will often have difficult days which can be hard to put behind you when you get home. You can separate the two by creating boundaries, such as not speaking about your work-life when at home and not having people visit you at work. Additionally, you must utilize the time that you have off by making plans and looking after yourself.
Find Ways To Relax At Home
Following on from this, you need to be able to find ways to relax and switch off whenever you get home which can be hard when you have been on your feet all day and/or had a difficult day. How you relax will depend on your personality but it might involve yoga, exercise, reading, socializing or watching television. Many people who work in healthcare also find it helpful to have someone that they can vent to and use for support whether this is a friend, family member or counsellor.
Look After Your Health
It is easy to neglect your own health when you work in healthcare because you are usually working irregular hours and so busy. It is essential to find ways to stay healthy so that you are able to prolong your career, avoid time off work, be able to give 100% each day and enjoy your life. Diet is one area where many in healthcare struggle so you can improve your diet by preparing meals in advance – this could include a packed lunch and batch cooking meals which can be frozen so that you do not have to cook when you get home. Sleep can be another area where people struggle, particularly if you work irregular hours – you should make sure that you are getting at least 7 hours so try to schedule this in and make it a priority.
Anyone looking to stand out from the crowd and get ahead in the healthcare industry should follow this advice. It is an amazing industry to work in and can be incredibly rewarding, but it is also demanding and competitive. Knowing how to stand out should help you to improve your workplace performance and get noticed so that you can climb the ladder and enjoy a rewarding and lucrative career.