One of the many benefits of working in healthcare is that your career options are nearly limitless. If you are looking to fast-track your healthcare career, consider one of these steps to place you on the path right for you.
Pursue an Additional Degree
Maybe you are currently working as a medical assistant or certified nursing assistant (CNA), but you would like to become a registered nurse. There are many ways to pursue a nursing education.
For example, you could start by obtaining a licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification and then an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). It is important to note that many hospital settings prefer or require a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN).
However, there are many accredited ADN to BSN programs available online. Furthermore, many hospitals and healthcare institutions offer tuition reimbursement as one of their benefits. So, you may be able to get tuition reimbursed for pursuing a nursing degree—regardless of whether you are a CNA pursuing additional school or an ADN pursuing a BSN.
There are many accrediting bodies for nursing schools. However, the two largest national ones are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Each site provides search features to find the type of nursing program you are looking for.
Nursing is only one example of a healthcare profession where you can work towards additional advanced degrees. For example, you may work as a phlebotomist, primarily dealing with blood draws. You could expand on this skill set and pursue additional training as a medical technologist. Or perhaps you are a surgical technologist and interested in pursuing further training to become a surgical first assistant.
Consider an Additional Certification
If you already love the career you are in and are not looking to complete a new degree, consider adding certifications to demonstrate advanced skills. For example, in the world of nursing, there are numerous certifications you can work towards with the right work experience.
Within critical care nursing alone, there are numerous specialties you can pursue. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses lists fifteen specialties for critical care. Specialties range from adult to pediatrics and include additional specialty certifications for those in education and advanced practice.
Whether your goal is to pursue an additional degree or certification, both routes likely require relevant work experience. If you are looking for new jobs to increase your skillset as you advance your career, consider a contract staffing position with 365 Healthcare Staffing Services. Search their open positions and apply or reach out to a recruiter to build your ideal career.
