Three Very Important Traits:
Empathy,
Helping Others,
Problem-Solving
If these sound like you, consider pursuing a career in healthcare.
There are many different ways to be a part of the healthcare system. You can take care of young and old, sick and healthy, and animals or humans. You can serve in the healthcare field with varying levels of education and responsibility. This post will cover the following careers in healthcare: Dentistry, Medical Doctor, Nursing, and Veterinarian.
Dentist
There are different ways someone could work in the field of dentistry, either as a dentist or in a supportive role such as a dental hygienist. A hygienist cleans teeth, assists dentists, and requires less schooling, but must be licensed.
To be a dentist, one must get a doctorate and can either practice general dentistry or may specialize further in fields such as orthodontics or oral surgery. On average a dentist will work 40-60 hours a week, but this time may vary due to the specialty, the size of the practice a dentist is working in, and the geographic area. To work in the dental field as a dentist, a significant commitment to education and training is required:
Step 1: Obtain Undergraduate Degree
Step 2: Take DAT
Step 3: Attend Dental School
Optional Step 4: Complete residency(further specialization may require additional training)
Step 5: Apply and Qualify for State Credentials
An undergraduate degree can be in any field of interest, but classes should be taken to help students fulfill graduate school requirements to apply to dental school and help you better understand the material in later years of higher education.
Dr. Saureen Shah has been a dentist for 21 years and currently owns a practice in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Hear about his experience as a dentist:
Medical Doctor
The medical world is an extensive and expansive career field. There are many different ways a physician can practice medicine: pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, and many more. The number of hours a physician works greatly varies based on the specialty and position they hold, but on average it is a 40-60 hours work week. Being a physician requires a significant commitment to education and training.
Step 1: Obtain Undergraduate Degree
Step 2: Take MCAT
Step 3: Attend Medical School
Step 4: Complete Residency (further specialization may require additional training)
Step 5: Apply and Qualify for State Credentials
An undergraduate degree can be in any subject, ideally one that you are passionate about, but classes should be taken in the sciences that are covered by the MCAT exam and that help students prepare for medical school material in later years of higher education.
Dr. Pat Disharoon is a primary care physician. She has owned a medical practice and currently works in another. She is also a part of the Board of the Baltimore City Medical Society. Hear about her career as a physician:
Nurse
A big part of the medical community that provides significant, direct interaction with patients are nurses. There are many levels of nursing ranging from a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner as well as specialized fields such as labor and delivery, oncology, and anesthesia.
On average a staff nurse will work a 40-60 hour week, but this is subject to change based on hospital size and the nurse’s specialty. Nursing is a field where it is possible to work part-time and have scheduling flexibility depending on the speciality and type of employer. There are a few general steps that students have to complete to become a nurse.
Step 1: Attend Nursing School
Step 2: Take NCLEX
Step 3: Obtain State Credentials
Optional Step 4: If further specialization is of interest, additional training will be required.
To become a nurse you can attend nursing school as an undergraduate or as a graduate student depending on the programs available to you.
Dr. Donna Berizzi is a Nurse Leader at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center. She has been in nursing for more than 38 years. Hear about her experience as a nurse:
Veterinarian
Veterinarians focus on animal healthcare. Within the field, there are many different specialties: large or small animals, wildlife, emergency animal medicine, and orthopedics to name a few. On average a veterinarian will spend 40-50 hours working a week, but for different specialties, the hours may vary. There are a few general steps that all students have to complete to become a veterinarian.
Step 1: Obtain Undergraduate Degree
Step 2: Take GRE
Step 3: Attend Veterinary School
Optional Step 4: Complete residency (further specialization may require additional training)
Step 5: Apply and Qualify for State Credentials
An undergraduate degree can be what you are passionate about, but classes should be taken to help students fulfill graduate school requirements for Vet school and help you better understand the material in later years of higher education.
Dr. Celina Hatt is a small animal veterinarian in California. She has certification in three states, has owned a clinic in Hawaii, and currently owns a clinic in California. Hear about her experience as a Veterinarian:
Resources:
To learn more about careers in medicine, please visit:
https://careersinmedicine.aamc.org/
To learn more about careers in nursing, please visit:
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/nursing-career-pathways/
To learn more about careers in dentistry, please visit:
https://www.ada.org/resources/careers
For more detailed guidance on how to connect with practicing dentists and learn about their real life experiences:
To learn more about careers in veterinary medicine, please visit: https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/a-career-in-veterinary-medicine/
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