Leaving the Restaurant Industry? Here's Why You Should Consider a Career in Healthcare

If you’re working in the restaurant industry right now, we don’t need to tell you that things are rough. According to CNN, 10,000 U.S. restaurants have shut down in the past 3 months, and 17% of restaurants have permanently closed their doors. For the ones that have remained open, servers are facing cut hours and pay reductions.

And with unemployment benefits potentially ending by the end of the year for millions of people, restaurant and service industry workers are on the hunt for new career opportunities, and many of them are turning to the healthcare industry. 

If you’re ready to say goodbye to the restaurant and service industry, here are 10 reasons why you should consider transitioning into a healthcare career.

10 Reasons Restaurant Workers Should Consider Getting Into Healthcare in 2021

1. Stability

Now more than ever, healthcare workers are in demand. The BLS predicts the healthcare industry will grow by 1.8 million openings during the next ten years (much higher than the average for all jobs). That, coupled with our added need for healthcare workers due to the pandemic, makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking for a stable job.

2. Good Pay

In addition to stable employment, healthcare jobs often pay well. Here are some of the most popular healthcare careers as well as their median average annual salaries according to the BLS.

• Medical Assistant -- $38,270
• Medical Records and Health Information Technicians -- $47,180 per year
• Registered Nurse - $81,220

3. Meaningful Work

If you like being of service, you’ll likely find a great deal of satisfaction transitioning that helpful nature to a healthcare career where you’re making a difference in people's lives on a daily basis. Be it on the frontlines as a nurse or CNA, or behind the scenes as a medical coder, biller or healthcare administrator, healthcare careers can help you find meaning in your work. 

4. You Can Use Your Customer Service Skills

While it may feel like you’re starting from scratch transitioning into a healthcare career, you’re really not! As someone who’s worked in the service industry, you’ve developed a lot of skills that can easily be applied to this new field. The most important being your customer service skills. Whether you’re interacting with patients at the bedside or answering questions on the phone, those skills are valuable in many healthcare careers.

5. Work-From-Home Opportunities

If you’re looking for more job flexibility or the ability to work remotely, there are healthcare jobs like medical coding and billing where you can actually work from home! They’re not always easy to get, but they are available and as telehealth continues to grow in popularity, so should the job prospects.

6. You Can Get Started Fast

Some healthcare careers can be started in less than a year! Medical assistants, medical coding and billing, and CNAs are just some of the healthcare jobs you can start working in quickly. Check out these 7 healthcare careers you can get started in fast.

7. Affordable Programs 

If you’re thinking that a new career sounds great, but there’s no way you can afford the schooling right now, you might be surprised to hear that there are affordable options available. Reasonable priced CNA, medical assistant and medical coding and billing programs can all be found at community colleges or online.

8. Online and Flexible Schooling

Speaking of online programs, if you need to keep working while you’re in school or have family or other obligations that won’t let you attend a traditional in-person program, you’re in luck. Many healthcare programs are available either completely or partially online so you can continue to work while working towards your future goals. 

9. Travel

Looking to travel when the world opens back up again? Many healthcare careers like nursing offer the opportunity to travel the world, while you work! Plus, with healthcare being so in demand, you shouldn’t have a problem finding work wherever you end up.

10. Career Advancement

Perhaps the number one reason to consider getting into the healthcare field is that it’s a bet on your future. With so many paths and opportunities to grow within it, healthcare can give you the opportunity to build a real career that you can stick with.

How to Get Started in Healthcare

Think healthcare might be the right field for you? Check out our other healthcare resources to learn more about your career options. Or you can jump right in and check out some featured programs below.

• 7 Fastest Ways To Start Your Healthcare Career Now
• Top 5 Allied Healthcare Careers With Little Schooling That are In Demand Now
• How to Get Started in Medical Billing and Coding
• How to Become a Medical Assistant
• How to Start a Career in Healthcare Administration 
• How to Become a Pharmacy Technician