How to Choose a Medical Specialty
After years of schooling, we all have opportunities to choose a career. Selecting a medical career can be a meaningful, profitable choice. Choosing a medical specialty can bring even greater satisfaction as you focus on areas you enjoy. As author John Maxwell says: “Life is a matter of choices and every choice you make makes you.”
Physicians and other advanced providers are in high demand and will continue to be in the foreseeable future. Currently, the United States has a provider shortage. The demand for medical professionals is increasing with the rapid growth of the senior population. With more than one-third of providers eligible to retire in the next 10 to 15 years, healthcare is a secure career path with many opportunities.
While a healthcare degree opens doors to career opportunities, selecting a specialty further enhances those opportunities. Medical specialties offer great benefits including further professional growth, higher pay, better job options, increased responsibilities and greater respect. Specialized providers also report higher job satisfaction.
With more than 100 specialties, choosing a medical specialty can feel overwhelming. Tinkbird Staffing can help.
What is medical specialization and why should I consider it?
A medical specialty is an additional, specialized focus on a particular patient population or area of medicine.
During the pandemic and even afterward, working in healthcare was hard. Today, the quality of healthcare workplaces has improved. According to the State of Nursing 2024 report, many of today’s providers say they are happier, have greater job satisfaction and enjoy their jobs – especially those with advanced degrees.
The report found a strong correlation between medical job satisfaction and their level of education and specialty. Those with an advanced degree shared significantly higher job satisfaction ratings than those without a specialty or advanced degree.
Flexibility and adaptation to new or changing environments are part of a provider’s job. While some people thrive with constant change, others excel in a more focused environment. Specialization allows providers to focus, hone their skills and build expertise in the type of medicine they enjoy.
Each specialty requires different levels of experience, training and credentials. Some require additional certification as well. Generally, specialties are defined by the age of the patient population served, the medical acuity of the patients, the illnesses managed and the type of care they provide.
How to choose a medical specialty
- Evaluate your goals
The first step to deciding on your specialty is to evaluate your personal and professional goals. What do you want your career to look like? Do you want to work full-time or shift to part-time if you have children or need to care for an elderly relative?
- Assess your skills and talents
Next, consider your natural skills and talents and what specialty may suit your capabilities. If you work well under pressure, you may choose to specialize in intensive care unit (ICU) medicine. If high-pressure situations stress you out but you’re great at managing budgets and people, then perhaps an administrator is a better fit.
- Consider what you enjoy and dislike
Enjoying the work you do matters! Select a specialty that allows you to perform duties or work with populations you enjoy. If you are passionate about advocacy, health policy and research, consider health policy career. If you love caring for babies, then perhaps a neonatal ICU provider is a better fit for you.
- Still unsure? Take a quiz to help
For nurses, Herzing University has a helpful quiz to focus in on your profession. Johnson & Johnson also has a good quiz.
Benefits of specialization
Choosing a medical specialty will allow you to focus on a single practice area, develop and deepen your understanding of your patient population’s needs and develop the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Other benefits include:
Career development is important for the next generation of medical providers. The training offered for specialty positions sharpens knowledge and skills to keep providers at the forefront of their specialty. Advanced training also opens doors to other leadership and job opportunities.
- Higher salary
With many providers nearing retirement, the demand for healthcare professionals, is growing. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) often start out with a salary of $48,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Respect, confidence and credibility
The education requirements that advanced providers must complete to achieve a specialty are often rigorous. But, they also build confidence and credibility. As you grow in experience in a specialty, your confidence in your skills will grow, as will your colleagues’ respect.
- Making a difference
Many healthcare professionals enter the medical field because they have a strong desire to care for patients. Beyond basic medical care, specialists offer greater ways to make a difference. For example, clinical research providers administer and report on medication trials and patient care initiatives that directly influence what treatments are offered and how care is provided. This is one of many ways specialists make a difference in the lives of patients and communities.
- Better work-life balance
Often, the work of specialty provider happens during regular office hours, providing a predictable work schedule.
With career mobility, stable work schedule, better pay and flexibility, choosing a specialty is an attractive option for providers.
Disadvantages of medical specialization
Choosing a specialty does have some potential disadvantages. Obtaining a specialty requires more training and education. You may have to pay for the training unless you find an employer willing to cover the cost.
Medical specialization will also bring greater responsibility. Some people thrive with more responsibility, so evaluate if that is something you desire.
Finding a medical specialty that’s right for you
TinkBird Staffing is ready to help you find a perfect-fit job, choosing from a variety of roles. Our boutique staffing firm offers around-the-clock service. Contact us today to discuss our competitive rates and specialty positions!
