Want to pursue a career in medicine? Getting a medical job takes a lot of hard work and perseverance. There are ways you can get ahead like buckling down and learning, being hands on as well as looking up to people in the field and learning from them like Richard Hansen Dean. Here are a few mistakes that could serve as obstacles when trying to achieve your dream career. Avoid these, and you could land the medical job you’ve always wanted.
1. Not getting work experience
The qualifications are important, but having work experience behind you can also be a huge boost on your CV, both when initially applying for a degree and finding a job. There are many voluntary jobs in hospitals and work-shadowing opportunities, which could help you gain experience in a hospital.
You could even apply for paid part-time experience as a porter. Porters must run errands for hospital staff, such as collecting medication, moving machinery into an operating theater before surgery, and even helping patients get around the hospital who may have mobility issues. This can be a vital experience when applying for a job in a hospital or clinic.
You can also gain experience while going to school for phlebotomy or another program by volunteering at a local medical facility. With many healthcare facilities being understaffed today, volunteer opportunities are often available, such as participating in blood drives.
2. Keeping your job options too narrow when pursuing a career in medicine
Don’t let your heart get set on one specific job in the medical field. Many people aim only to be a surgeon, but there may be other careers to aim for that could be more obtainable if you feel you’re struggling.
For example, you could become a surgical nurse. There could also be radiology roles worth considering or even research jobs that could be better suited (surgery isn’t for everyone). It’s worth researching different roles when starting in the healthcare field. If you need to, you can often specify at a later date.
3. Only searching for local opportunities
Local universities and clinics may not always be best suited for finding your dream job. There may be more applicants than seats to fill or specialized to a specific area within the medical sector.
Being willing to search further afield could open you up to better opportunities. When it comes to finding a course, there are online study options now that could prevent you from having to travel. This could allow you to juggle other commitments. However, you may still be bound by local job opportunities at the end of the course.
4. Pursuing a career in medicine error: Not asking enough questions
Throughout your course, medical school, and initial training on the job, don’t hesitate to ask questions. This is your chance to learn everything you can, thus allowing you to be the best medical professional that you can be. You won’t have a chance to ask these questions once you’re on the job, which could lead to mistakes. You can’t learn everything from textbooks and the internet – especially when it comes to personal advice.
5. Not respecting the hierarchy
There’s a chain of command in many healthcare jobs that must you must respect. While your superiors may not always be right, they will have a lot more training and experience than you, which is why they are where they are job-wise.
While you can challenge their opinions, do so in a respectful way to avoid conflict. You don’t want to make a bad name for yourself when pursuing a career in medicine, as that could affect your future prospects.
6. Having poor time management skills
Healthcare staff has to be organized. They often have to juggle the care of multiple patients, which means making the most out of their time. Being late on numerous cases to a shift could also lead to disciplinary action.
It could be worth working on your time management if you think it’s currently an issue. It may not matter much at university where you can catch up on lectures and seminars; however, you want to be good at scheduling when it comes to medical school and beyond. This post on Time-Management Strategies For Prospective Medical Students could be a useful read.
7. Failing to network when pursuing a career in medicine
Like many careers, it’s not always what you know; it’s who you know. Networking with the right people might help you find a job vacancy or a role you hadn’t considered.
Look out for job fairs for medical students and conferences on medical subjects that may have people you can talk to. The likes of sites like FindNetworkingEvents are great for locating these conventions. You can also use LinkedIn to connect with medical professionals. Networking may not always directly land you the job you’re looking for, but it could help you find work shadowing opportunities and gain other experience.
8. Neglecting support groups
Pursuing a medical career can be stressful. If it all becomes too much, remember that there are support groups out there. They may help you better manage your time or guide you where to look when searching for a job vacancy. Universities will always have support, as will medical schools. Even when you get to the stage of being a doctor, nurse, or whatever role you decide upon, there are support groups out there such as The Doctor’s Support Network that shouldn’t be neglected.
I’m a medical student and I have to say that ALL of this is true. I especially got the hierarchy part too often. I really get frustrated when it comes with those arrogant kinds of specialists. But what can I do? The best I can do is soak up the good knowledge from them and throw out all the insults and scolding haha.
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Great post. As others said, these are also helpful guidelines that apply to other careers!
Excellent article, Christy. From personal experience, I can say that working in the medical field is very demanding, but can be equally rewarding. There are certainly no limits to the opportunities available, or how far someone can go with the right training and determination.
I like what you say about the opportunities for advancement, Amy ~ It’s an empowering statement :)
Thanks! Im thinking of switching to medical… Hmm
nice information.. I shared with my friend who is pursuing medicine..
Thank you for sharing it with your friend! Wishing them all the best – and you too
your welcome…
Great tips for business protocol too. :) <3 Weekend hugs!
Hugging back <3
<3 Always welcomed.
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Nisha@inspiresn
You’re a sweetheart! Thank you :)
You are welcome! Keep up the great work !! love n hugs
Hugging back :)
“Failing to network” this is the key to any career.
Good post
Networking is essential! :)
Great tips! Especially the can’t ask enough questions, soooo true!😊
Yes, right?! Questions are a great way of understanding more about where we want to go and if the endpoint is what we’re wanting to reach or not :) Hugs!
You’re exactly right!! ☺🌸
Aww :)
I like all the points. Many of the items apply to other professions too.
Great article. Sharing on social media.
I am not a medico but one of my sisters , a few of my nieces and nephews and my daughter-in-law all are, and your prescription will be passed on to them. Though I am not commenting on all of your posts, please be sure most of them are being read…):)….):)
You’re wonderful to be here, Raj! I am pleased you find the post so useful that you will pass it on to family. I’m wishing you a wonderful weekend :)
Many of these tips would work for other professions as well, I think.