A Career in Healthcare Management: How to Get Started

If you’ve been working as a nurse or a physician, the next step to take in order to push your career forward is to apply for a managerial position. Getting promoted to healthcare or hospital management is a step towards the right direction. You’ll be dealing with more responsibilities and a lot of managerial tasks, but the job itself is very rewarding and will open more doors to future career advancements.

Getting started with pursuing a career in healthcare management may seem tricky at first, but there are simple ways you can prepare for the position. That is what we are going to discuss in this article.

Meeting the Requirements

There are a few things you need to have in order to qualify for a job in healthcare management. Experience is often the most important requirement to meet, but since you have been working as a registered nurse or a licensed physician for a while, this should not be a problem.

Your experience dealing with patients and working as part of the day-to-day operations of a hospital or a healthcare institution will help you prepare for a managerial job. You’ll have the knowledge and expertise to make critical decisions as a healthcare manager.

A bachelor’s degree is usually required, but having a master’s degree is a huge plus. If you’ve been thinking about pursuing a master of science in nursing, now is the perfect time to start. Top universities such as Bradley University are opening up their distance learning programs in this field.

Things to Expect

Healthcare is among the fastest growing industries in today’s economy. The recent incentives given to the healthcare industry, paired with plans like Obamacare and various other affordable insurance plans on the market, are pushing the industry forward. There are more jobs – managerial jobs included – available today and the expected growth is as high as 17% over the next 10 years.

This means there are plenty of opportunities for you to take. New healthcare institutions are opening up mid- to top-level management positions. If you’re completing a master’s degree or taking one right now, there will be even more jobs available by the time you’re finished.

The healthcare industry is also among the most rewarding. You can expect a median salary of around $100,000 as a healthcare manager or any similar position. More specific jobs, such as Chief Nursing Officer, often offer more rewards and bonuses.

Getting Started with a Career in Healthcare Management

At this point, you have everything you need to get started. The career shift is one that’s worth taking nonetheless, especially with the better rewards and a brighter future waiting for you as you enter the new position. Simply check if you meet the requirements and take active steps towards getting the position you want.

These tips will help you get started without a problem. Take that first step, pursue a master of science in nursing to help you advance in your career, and you are all set. You’ll be settling in as a new healthcare manager before you know it.