Becoming a healthcare professional often requires years of education. As humans, we are hardwired to learn and adapt—and this doesn’t stop after earning a college degree or finishing a residency. Unfortunately, in healthcare, continued education and leadership development are sorely lacking, adding to the growing list of pain points healthcare professionals experience today.

With a projected physician shortage that some experts say threatens the future of healthcare and an alarming 17-30% of nurses leaving their jobs within the first year (and a staggering 56% leaving within the second year), there is certainly more at play than just a lack of career development.

Still, when you consider the revolving door that healthcare has become—with doctors and nurses running for the hills after a grueling few years of triaging the pandemic’s most vulnerable victims, coupled with the gaping absence of leadership development in healthcare as a whole—it becomes abundantly clear that making healthcare a better industry for all involved means making big changes.

If you want to be an innovator in healthcare, disrupt the status quo, and achieve exceptional results, investing in your people and their professional development is non-negotiable. So much so that one LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report found that 94% of employees said they would stay at a job longer if they were offered pathways for career development. By not investing in healthcare personnel, employers run the risk of losing their top-performing experts to companies that will value them and help them achieve their career goals.

But as they say, change doesn't happen overnight, but employees who feel valued and invested in by their employers are generally happier, more hardworking, and healthier. In fact, continued education can improve healthcare and drive better outcomes. Here are just some ways that facilitating continued education can improve patient care and cultivate a happier, more cohesive healthcare delivery team:

Better problem-solving and process improvement for real-world challenges

Reviewing the latest research and keeping up to date in relevant area(s) of practice

Refining their skills and leadership competencies to improve patient care and outcomes

Learn valuable team management and team building skills

Finding Continuous Education Opportunities in Healthcare

While employers everywhere should assess the risk of not investing in the career development of their employees, ultimately, employees should be their own best advocates and take initiative with their own career growth. Whether a recent graduate or a seasoned healthcare veteran, continuing your development is integral to staying current in your field. Here are a few ways to spearhead your own growth in healthcare:

Initiate a conversation with your supervisor or manager. Is your manager aware of your desired career trajectory? If not, start there. Have an open, honest conversation and ask for feedback, coaching, and to be considered for additional development opportunities that may arise.

Take an online course or learn a new skill relevant to your field. Public libraries are generally free and accessible to everyone. If your current employer or supervisor is not offering much in the area of professional growth, take matters into your own hands (literally, if you have a smartphone) and learn a new skill or take an online course at a local library.

Consider a leadership or career development mentor. Mentorships are a valuable and affordable way to improve your skills and hone in on any blind spots. Having a reputable mentor can boost your confidence, promote ongoing learning, and help you with relationship building. Is there someone you look up to at work and whose career you hope to emulate? Ask if they would be open to mentoring you. Oftentimes, experts enjoy sharing about their career journey and want to impart any wisdom they’ve learned. You can also hire a career coach who is skilled in leadership development. Keep in mind that some employers offer continued education budgets and may be able to sponsor your career development, so you don’t have to come out of pocket for it.

Humans are naturally curious, creative beings who are naturally inclined to learn and make sense of the world that confronts us. Evolutionarily, this has been a necessary trait that has helped our species adapt and survive. Continued education does more than just promote excellence in your career—but reignites a sense of purpose and brings meaning to the many ways you make a difference in the lives of those you work with each day.

If you’re ready to take your healthcare career to the next level and work for a company that prioritizes the health and happiness of their healthcare professionals as much as their patients, consider a career with ChenMed, a leader in world-class primary care.

Join the future of healthcare and learn more about ChenMed Careers today!

If you're interested in exploring open positions at ChenMed, click below:

Primary Care Physician
Human Resources
Information Technology
Medical Center Support
Membership Growth Sales