Myth 1: Most health care professionals are medical doctors.
You don't have to be a doctor to help people manage their health! Nutritionists, dentists, and physiotherapists, just to name a few, fill the exact same role. If you sat down and brainstormed a list of people who work in the field of health care, you'd be amazed what you came up with. Remember, health care doesn't refer only to your physical health, but to your mental and emotional well-being.
Myth 2: You have to go through a lot of schooling to get a career in health care.
These first two myths about health care careers are closely related, because you really do have to go through a lot of schooling to become a doctor. However, many other health care careers require considerably less education. You can take courses at community colleges, universities, and specific medical training institutions that allow you to embark on a career in health care.
If you're not sure about your academic abilities, your best bet is to make an appointment with a career counselor at the institution of your choice. They'll be happy to guide you to a career that's right for you.
Myth 3: It's not a good time to embark on a career in health care: there aren't that many jobs available.
Don't let myths about health care careers discourage you! Health care professionals fill a vital need and there's always a demand. In fact, statistically speaking, eight of the twenty quickest growing jobs are in the health care field. A few minutes' research will dispel this myth. Every day, new jobs, careers, and positions appear in the health care field. If helping people manage their health is your dream, it's a great time to pursue it!
Myth 4: The nursing shortage guarantees me the perfect job when I graduate.
“While the shortage of nurses is acute across the United States, great locations and great organizations turn away candidates,” says Neill Marshall, managing partner with Coppell, Texas-based Marshall Koll & Associates, an executive search firm specializing in hospital and healthcare. “These organizations have their pick of the best and brightest
Myth 5: If I only attend a two-year college, I won’t be a real nurse.
“An associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is required to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination along with students who have earned bachelor’s degrees in nursing,” says Val Richardson, director of workforce development for Palmetto Health in South Carolina. ADN programs are offered at local technical colleges.
Myth 6: I need a four-year degree to be a practicing radiology technician.
“Radiology technicians usually complete a two-year program at a technical college,” Richardson says. “Rad techs are sometimes confused with radiologists. Radiologists are physicians who…diagnose and treat disease using X-rays.”
Radiologic technologists, on the other hand, undergo one to four years of training, leading to a certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Their job responsibilities are broader in scope than those of radiologic technicians.
Myth 7: Continuing education (CE) is important only if I plan to pursue management positions.
On the contrary, CE credits are usually required to maintain licenses and certifications. For example, radiologic technologists must earn 24 CE credits every two years.
CE could also prepare you for a lateral move to a different team, department or organization, or it could simply help you improve your performance in your current position, says Julia Hooper, director of hospital education and workforce development at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital.
“What do you want in your career?” Hooper says. “I have asked employees off and on over the last 20 years and have experienced a range of emotions, from eye rolling, laughter, shrugged shoulders, frustration and, most often, tears. It’s a question that cuts to the core of us, because it is that important to our very being. Continuing education needs to start with you so that you can best describe who you are in relation to your career.”
Ellen Lipman, MS, RT, director of professional development for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, agrees. “Continuing education can be more rewarding for individuals if time is taken to identify career and personal-development goals,” she says. “Aim for focused, self-directed and self-initiated learning opportunities. All healthcare providers must remember that ultimately, we are in this business to provide quality patient care.”
Myth 8: Once I become a clinician, I will be stuck in my role.
“Today, there are hundreds of different opportunities for clinicians outside of standard clinical roles,” Marshall says. “Many pharmaceutical companies are looking for clinicians in a variety of roles. Consulting companies are always looking for seasoned clinicians. Management always beckons for those willing to acquire advanced education and gain the necessary skill sets.”
Myth 9: A degree in healthcare will allow me to help other people in the way that I want to.
“Helping patients looks different from each specialist’s perspective,” Donadio says. “Some of the interactions can be rewarding, but, often, unless you are a licensed provider of a healthcare treatment-focused specialty, you will be asked to do the grunt work so that the practitioner can have more time to spend with the patients.”
There are many factors to consider before you undertake any kind of career decision, but make sure you base your choices on facts! Don't let myths about health care careers keep you from chasing your dreams.
