As the United States faces healthcare crises and a healthcare workforce shortage, healthcare professionals returning to school may be part of the solution. Upskilling and ongoing education are not only beneficial for the individual but also for the entire medical industry.
For a healthcare professional, a lifelong commitment to learning and returning to school to pursue higher education can help advance their careers. It can also help mitigate the impact that the healthcare workforce shortage has on healthcare disparities in the United States.
Upskilling can help reduce the impact of the healthcare workforce shortage as it allows existing healthcare professionals to learn new skills and broaden their scope of practice. This can allow them to take on more patients, improve the quality of care, and increase efficiency.
If you’re a healthcare professional considering going back to school, there are plenty of options for upskilling while staying at work. For example, you could study remotely, like doing a dnp program online, where you can combine your experience with ongoing education.
Ongoing learning & healthcare
Every healthcare profession, from nurses to doctors, requires a commitment to lifelong learning formally and informally. Ongoing learning is not only important for the industry but also provides individuals with opportunities for both personal fulfillment and professional growth.
Almost every healthcare profession begins with formal education. While it is possible to stop at an associate’s degree or bachelor’s, if you’re seeking advanced career opportunities, a master’s or doctorate is usually required.
For some healthcare professions, postgraduate qualifications are a requirement. For example, any positions that fall under the category of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) require holding a Master’s or Doctoral degree, and specialized clinical training.
Beyond opening new doors and potential pay increases, upskilling also plays an important role in mitigating the healthcare workforce shortage. According to recent data, more than 100 million Americans do not have access to a regular source of primary care.
Similarly, nearly all of the counties in the United States (96%) are designated as either whole county or partial county primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Many of these counties also lack access to other healthcare services, such as mental health and dental care.
These HPSAs are driving demand for healthcare professionals with postgraduate education, especially nurses. This is because ARPNs and similar advanced specializations can take on a similar role to doctors, diagnosing and treating patients, and prescribing medications. This is crucial in areas, particularly rural or remote HPSAs, that may lack doctors entirely.
So, if you’re considering upskilling and pursuing a postgraduate education, not only is it beneficial for your future career, but it can also be a great way to support vulnerable communities and ensure they have equitable access to care.
Upskilling is also essential in the healthcare industry to ensure workers stay up to date with the latest advancements and practices. The benefits of this are also backed by research—studies have found that nurses with a higher level of education are significantly associated with delivering higher quality of care and patient safety.
Why you should consider going back to school
There are many reasons why you should consider going back to school. It can be a great opportunity for personal fulfillment, advancing your career, opening new pathways, or even increasing your earning potential.
If you feel like you’ve hit a wall in your line of work as a healthcare professional, returning to study can help you overcome it. When considering whether you should go back to school, we recommend thinking about:
- If you have the necessary resources and support to pursue further education. For example, consider how the study will impact your resources (time, money, and energy).
- Consider what program/degree best serves your interests. Before planning your return to study, ensure you have a clear idea of what courses you’re interested in and how they’ll benefit you in the future.
- Think about what mode of ongoing learning would work best for you. For some people, professional development doesn’t have to be through higher education. You could consider conferences, workshops, or professional certificates.
Statistics have shown that a higher education level correlates with higher incomes. If you’re looking to climb the career ladder, especially in healthcare, obtaining a higher degree is usually the most effective method.
If you’ve decided that you’re returning to study, it can help to think about whether you want to go online or attend in person. If you’re still working, external modes of study can allow for more flexibility and are often cheaper than in-person equivalents.
Tips for returning to study
If you’re set on going back to school to further your career as a healthcare pro, this section is for you. Below is a list of tips and factors to consider when returning to study.
- Full-time or part-time: Before enrolling, you should consider whether you want to study full-time or part-time. Especially if you’re still working, part-time allows for more flexibility, whilst full-time study might require putting your professional life on hold.
- Take time choosing a school: When deciding on which school to attend, you should consider factors such as the cost, reputation, program quality, and potential networking opportunities. Also, only choose institutions that are accredited by a regional or national organization.
- Make time for your studies: Whether you’re enrolling full-time or part-time, it’s important to dedicate time to your studies. It will require sacrificing your free time, but the end goal will be worth it.
- Figure out your learning style: Knowing your learning style can ensure that you’re studying is effective and efficient. People can either be visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic learners. This can influence how they best absorb and learn new information.
