Advice for Starting a New Job in Healthcare

If you are looking for a new job and find yourself drawn to health and social care, you may need to go back to school. Many healthcare roles are highly specialized and require a specific degree, such as a family nurse practitioner degree or physical therapy degree.

Despite this concentrated period of study, you will still be starting your role with a lot to learn on the job. Whether you are looking for a career in healthcare or ready to start a role, here are some tips on how to set off on the right foot.

Ask questions and clarify expectations

Asking questions is always important for any new job. Not clarifying expectations is often cited as one of the biggest mistakes new hires make.

No one is expecting you to be an expert from day one. Learning a new position is hard, and it takes time. Do not be afraid to ask questions when you do not know something. People will be more than happy to help you out.

This also lets people know that you are both eager to learn and confident enough to ask for help. It is better to ask the question and get it right than stay quiet and do things wrong.

Focus on your new healthcare position

Be cautious when bringing up previous positions or employers, either positively or negatively.

Your new co-workers or boss will not appreciate hearing about how great your old place was. Plus, a lot of the time, comparisons are irrelevant or unfair.

Talking negatively about your old job or co-workers can also make people feel a little wary when talking to you.

Feel free to apply things you have learned previously but keep it relevant to the situation, and do not just throw out knowledge in an attempt to show off.

Be careful not to take on too much work

It is crucial to make a good first impression, so focus on the work you have and do it well. You will probably only be given smaller or easier tasks to begin with to learn the ropes.

There is no shame in keeping things small initially and familiarising yourself with the new organization, your new co-workers, and most importantly, your new boss.

Do not take on additional responsibilities to impress your supervisor or overextend yourself, as this can lead to mistakes or missed deadlines.

Once you have found your feet, you will be better positioned to determine how and what work you can tackle confidently.

Pay attention to medical field culture in the workplace

Workplace culture is essential, and you do not want to isolate yourself from those you work with. Pick up on the corporate culture and get involved.

Does your department have lunch together once a week? Do they celebrate each other’s birthdays at work? Is the organization looking for volunteers for an event?

Engage in social activities. This will let people know that you are a team player and you are happy to be there. It will also make your job more fun and can help you build lost-lasting friendships.

Share some tips for new nurses with us below!

Home Jobs By Mom

Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.