The majority of us seek medical careers because we want to help. We love the idea of saving lives and making a difference. The trouble is, the long hours are enough to put many of us off. Doctors and nurses alike have to pull twelve-hour shifts, many of which run overnight. If you have a family or want to make more ‘me time’, that doesn’t always appeal. And, let’s be frank; more of us than ever now care about finding a work/life balance.
Yet, this isn’t a compromise you can find in the vast majority of health careers. If you’ve been looking for a while, you may well be under the illusion that a work/life balance doesn’t fit here. But, that’s not entirely true. While there’s no denying that you may struggle in many areas, there are options which could leave your evenings free. To prove the point, we’re going to look at a few of them here.
Work in a doctor’s office
Okay, so this isn’t exactly what you had in mind when you started to consider healthcare. But, this is an option worth paying attention to. Despite what you may think, this job stands to put you at the forefront of medicine. You’ll become the first port of call for patients. You will need some understanding of their condition so you can direct their care. Though many of the calls you accept may be standard, there will be times where emergencies come through, and you have to act fast to save lives. Aside from that, it’ll be down to you to arrange things like medical records and the like. That, too, can make all the difference for swift treatment. As if that weren’t enough, you’ll be able to clock out and five and forget all about it.
Become a school nurse
If the above doesn’t cut it, it’s worth considering work as a school nurse. Admittedly, this isn’t a job anyone can walk into. Few schools who would consider someone not already working as a registered nurse. In some states, a BSN is also a standard requirement, which would leave you having to seek an RN to BSN course before qualifying. But, if you’re willing to lay the groundwork here, this could be the ideal option. You would get to work hands-on with patients, while sticking to comfortable school hours. Many would argue that’s like nursing without the downsides.
Plan to be a pharmacist
If you’re after a middle ground between the two, why not consider work in a pharmacy? While this will leave you one step removed, pharmacists have more training than many realize. People who work in this field cover everything from diagnosis to medicines. Many pharmacies also offer benefits like shots and examinations. What’s more, most pharmacies follow regular shop hours, with the majority shutting at five. It may not be the up close and personal approach you were after, but this could be a more laid back way into the career of your dreams.
