One of the hottest sectors in employment right now is health care, as new health care legislation opens the door to entice even more candidates into this critical--and understaffed--field.
Employment by the numbers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unemployment held steady at 9.7 percent overall in March 2010, with the number of long-term unemployed reaching 6.5 million. More than 44 percent of all unemployed persons have been jobless for 27 weeks or more.
In the health care sector, however, employment is on the rise, with 27,000 new jobs filled in March, a 26.8 percent increase over February. There was a 9 percent increase in the number of nurses added to payrolls--and with new health care reform, those numbers will only grow.
What reform will mean for job seekers
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law in March, will bring a windfall of funds to retain and attract health care professionals. By funding scholarships and loan-repayment programs, the act seeks to increase the number of primary-care physicians, nurses, physician assistants, mental-health providers, and dentists, particularly in underserved areas. Nursing has been targeted as a must-grow area, and the act also seeks to increase the supply of public-health professionals available to serve in the event of U.S. health emergencies.
For aspiring or current health care professionals, opportunities will abound. Expect to see improved benefits and incentives (such as funds for continuing education), particularly if you choose to work in a remote or high-risk area with a shortage of health care specialists. If you're a nurse, all indications are strong that your compensation will increase markedly, as the act seeks to "address financial barriers that nurses and nurse faculty face today." Nursing education, training, and retention programs will all be highlighted to receive funds and attention.
Although the act will go into effect over time, two critical provisions for health care professionals are set to launch in 2011:
- Funding for community health centers will be increased to allow for nearly a doubling of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years.
- Funding for new investments in hospitals and health care facilities to increase the number of primary-care practitioners, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Positioning yourself for success
With health care employment opportunities putting you in the driver's seat, it pays to know what's important to you, because compensation alone may not be enough to justify a position at a new hospital or health care facility. By utilizing the services of a career-management site that allows you to create a unique career profile of your key employment characteristics, you can gain a better picture of what role--or employment opportunity--will suit you best. Other suggestions include:
Check out the benefits beyond the basics. What are the opportunities for continuing education, particularly education in new technologies?
Explore career-advancement and -expansion opportunities. What is a typical career path for your role in this particular facility, what is the typical turnover rate in the unit, and what unique growth opportunities do they offer?
Decide what you really want most. Is it pay, flexibility, the ability to make a difference, the chance to utilize the latest advancements in technology? Rank your preferences in order of importance and stick to your list to ensure long-term satisfaction.
And after you're hired? For health care professionals, the best advice is to keep yourself open to new opportunities as they become available. In this fast-moving profession, you can create your own career path to success.
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