Ask a Recruiter: Careers in Nursing and Medical Administration

Today, we are answering two reader questions about the healthcare industry.  If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, please check out our other blog entries or learn about the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center.

Question: I am looking to pursue career in nursing.  Any suggestions? - Noodling on Nursing, a Workforce1 Career Blog Reader

Answer: Shannon Rzasa, the Director of the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center shared 3 tips for folks thinking about a nursing career:

TIP #1: Start building experience immediately!   People who are interested in getting an RN or LPN certificate should start work as a HHA, Direct Care Worker, or Patient Care Aide before applying to programs.  This work experience will make you more attractive to schools; it will give you income while you are in school; and, it will help you decide if a career in patient care is really for you. Plus, when you do finish school and start applying to work, you’ll have a lot more relevant work experience under your belt than you otherwise would!

Shannon Rzasa

TIP #2:  Carefully research programs and apply to several schools.  Make sure the programs have financial support and financial aid.  Find a program that includes a “prep course” for the New York State licensing exam to increase your odds of passing the first time around!  For more advice on choosing a training program, read Angie Kamath’s most recent blog post.

TIP #3:  Do some soul-searching.  Is a career in nursing right for you?  There has been a lot of buzz recently about the growth of the healthcare industry.  But that doesn’t mean that a career in nursing is right for everyone.  It may seem obvious, but nurses need to have a sincere desire to help people get healthy and STAY healthy.  In addition, nursing is becoming an increasingly technology-driven field.  Nurses today need to be computer savvy.  Think about your own interests and abilities when deciding whether or not to pursue a career in nursing.

For more information, contact the experts at the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center.
Question:  I hope to become an excellent Health Administrator. I have no medical experience but 20+ years of legal secretarial experience.  I will graduate with my B.S. in Health Services Management in May 2012. How can I get a job as a medical office manager/administrator if I have no relevant experience?  - Stressed Out About Graduating, a Workforce1 Career Blog Reader

Answer:  No matter what your field – healthcare, technology, business – graduating from school can be a terrifying prospect and we’ve gotten similar questions from other readers.  In this case, the worry might be unnecessary.  Not all medical offices require their office managers to have healthcare experience.  There are also other positions – like a Unit Secretary Clerk at a hospital – that don’t require previous healthcare experience but will help you build your resume for positions that do require industry experience.

Again, for more information, contact the experts at the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center.

These questions were submitted by a Workforce1 Career Blog reader.  If you have a question for a recruiter, ask us. And, if you liked this post, don’t forget to share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and email.