There comes a point when you have to make the tough decision of choosing between working in a hospital or starting your own private practice. It is never easy, and the final call rests with you. We have tried to make it easier for you. This blog is the first part of the series wherein we discuss the advantages of working in a hospital. In this series, we will dissect the pros and cons of working in a hospital and running a private practice.
Without further ado, let us get started.
Working in a Hospital
Working in a hospital is one of the best options available while getting started in the healthcare industry. Unlike previous generations of health professionals, who were destined to work in hospitals for the rest of their lives, today's healthcare workers have a multitude of opportunities. So, why should healthcare professionals choose hospitals?
Pros of working in a Hospital
1. Stable and Secure Job
Running your own business and working for yourself is exciting, but if you are looking for some stability and security in your job, working in a hospital is one of the best routes to take. Other industries sometimes rely on technological advancements to replace the traditional workforce, but that can never be the case in the healthcare industry.
Technological advancements can not replace the need for healthcare professionals to interact with and provide care to ailing patients, at least for the foreseeable future. Healthcare is growing at a faster rate than any other sector. With the expansion of the healthcare industry, job security for those working in hospitals is improving.
2. No monotonous days
In Private practices, do you get tired of seeing the same faces day in and day out? If so, then working in a hospital may be for you. One of the benefits of working in a hospital is that you get to meet new people every day. You will be exposed to a diverse set of patients from all walks of life experiencing a wide array of health conditions.
Due to the large size of hospitals, you will most certainly interact with several healthcare professionals during your shifts, which will make your days engaging and keep the discussions interesting.
3. Great pay and even greater opportunities
The healthcare industry is continuously looking for new employees, and the pay is almost usually higher, with greater benefits, when compared to other industries. The median annual income for healthcare practitioners and technical jobs (such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists) was $64,770 in May 2017 - about double the median annual wage for all occupations.
Furthermore, teamwork and superior skills are highly valued in the healthcare industry, and team players and good performers advance quickly as there is always a position above that needs to be filled.
4. Fewer administrative responsibilities
Working for yourself and starting a private practice is enticing, but you should only do that when you are fully ready to do that. In Hospitals, your focus would solely be on clinical activities. It’s also easier to enjoy a better work-life balance in hospitals since you can rely on your co-workers to see your patients if you need some time off. The walls distinguishing work and life might become hazy when you run a private practice.
Human resources, billing, and collection, rent, and overhead, as well as day-to-day operations, are all handled by departments with a large number of employees in hospitals. If you prefer to focus on clinical activities and try to stray away from administrative roles, then working in a hospital might be for you.
5. Flexible working hours and high referrals
Working in a hospital ensures that you will have a steady stream of referrals from other doctors on staff, and you can expect to see a set number of patients each day. The same can't be echoed for private practices as the preexisting business infrastructure might not offer as much flexibility. Another benefit of hospitals is that they are open 24/7, as patients need care at all hours of the day. It means that for those who require a unique schedule, there are numerous flexible work options available.
More healthcare professionals are looking for ways to work non-traditional hours rather than the typical 9 to 5 shift. If you work in a hospital then you will be able to rotate your schedule with greater flexibility. Working in a hospital is a fantastic option for healthcare workers who wish to fit their schedule around their personal life, such as a parenting routine.
That wraps up our discussion on the advantages of working in a hospital in 2021. Although it sounds great, it might not be everybody, and to make a sound decision, we need to know the heads and tails of any choice. In our next part of this series, we will discuss the cons of working in a hospital. Until then, join our global online community of healthcare professionals here — My Medical Panel and share your views on this discussion.