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How has your profession in the healthcare field changed your ideas on our medical system and would you have still chosen this career if you would have known?

Do you feel our medical system is effective or efficiently run?
Would you recommend a career in the healthcare field to a senior high school student considering a path in the healthcare field. #fall25

nursing college-major healthcare fall25 medical
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Elyse’s Answer

I do not always feel the US healthcare system is the best, but I also don't think you should let that fact alone deter you from working in the healthcare industry. With each good thing you see or experience, you may see or experience something not as good. This is not unique to healthcare - but rather the modern workforce as a whole.
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Morgan’s Answer

I originally went to school for nursing , I started working as a CNA and realized that nursing is not me. I knew I still wanted to work in healthcare so I chose the business route. Healthcare is something I have always been patinate about, I do not think I could see myself in another field outside of healthcare. I have always wanted to be an advocate for patients, as I feel so concerns are not heard. From personal experience, I think if you want to work the clinical side you should at least work as a CNA. This is an eye opener and really can help you determine which route is best for you in the healthcare field.
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Ashley’s Answer

Working in healthcare definitely changed how I see the medical system. When you’re on the inside, you realize how much of patient care is influenced by insurance approvals, reimbursement rules, and administrative requirements. Insurance companies often dictate what gets covered, when it gets covered, and how quickly things move, and that can be frustrating when you’re focused on what’s best for the patient. You also see how short-staffing and productivity pressures affect workflow. It’s not always as simple or patient-centered as people think from the outside.

Is the system effective? In many ways, yes, we have incredible technology, highly trained professionals, and the ability to diagnose and treat things that weren’t possible years ago. But is it efficiently run? Not always. There are delays, red tape, and financial barriers that can make the process harder than it should be. The system works, but it’s far from perfect.

Would I still choose this career knowing what I know now? Yes. Even with the frustrations, the impact on patients makes it worth it. Being part of diagnosing an injury, catching a disease early, or helping someone through a scary moment matters. For a senior in high school considering healthcare, I would absolutely recommend it, but go in with open eyes. It’s hard work, it’s demanding, and it’s not always glamorous. But if you’re driven, compassionate, and resilient, it can be incredibly rewarding.
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Marcos A.’s Answer

Kathleen, I originally got involved in the medical field as a Pharmacist Assistant( or technician as some would call it today) at a local hospital while pursuing my 1st undergraduate degree. After completing my 1st Bachelor's degree I realized that becoming a registered pharmacy was no longer a career option I wanted to pursue. Yet, I knew I still wanted to work in healthcare so I chose the Physician Associate/Assistant route after much personal research since Healthcare was something I had always been drawn to. I do not think I could see myself in another field outside of healthcare.

I have always had an interest in Biomedical science, but I followed my heart since I always wanted to be an advocate for patients, as I feel so many issues & concerns are unaddressed properly with our fragmented and siloed healthcare system. From personal experience, I think if you want to work the clinical side you should at least work or start out as a medical assitant, patient scribe or even as a CNA. This is an eye opener and really can help you determine which route is best for you in the healthcare field. Dont forget to shadown reserach, inquire every available resource available to you. Good luck in your future dreams and aspirations
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Morgan’s Answer

I originally went to school for nursing , I started working as a CNA and realized that nursing is not for me. I knew I still wanted to work in healthcare so I chose the business route. Healthcare is something I have always been patinate about, I do not think I could see myself in another field outside of healthcare. I have always wanted to be an advocate for patients, as I feel many concerns are not heard. From personal experience I think if you want to work the clinical side you should at least work as a CNA. This is an eye opener and really can help you determine which route is best for you in the healthcare field.
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Michele’s Answer

That is a great question. In my early career I thought doctors knew what they were doing, healthcare systems ran smoothly, billing was accurate, rules were always followed, and patients did what doctors told them to do. I have had all those bubbles burst in my experiences over the years. I think there are lots of doctors who care, but they have limited time. If you don't fit into a tiny box of X symptoms = Y disease, they don't have time for you. They are not researchers, they don't care to research to find out what or why something is not working for you. They just give up and move you on. Healthcare is a business and a only makes money if there are people to treat. I think clinicians are held more accountable (and should be) now, which has changed from the past. They like getting paid whether they fix you or not (think about how this would work with a car mechanic) and people often pay for unnecessary testing. Also, it is the only business I am aware of that is not required to refund the patient when they discover billing errors. If I was charged incorrectly at a store and it was later discovered, the company would refund my money. That does not happen in healthcare. So I would say, healthcare is not what it was when I started. The business has grown as the need has increased.

I would still go into healthcare, but I would like to have been in more direct patient care.
Good luck to you
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Ann’s Answer

I believe our healthcare system works well but isn't very efficient. I've been in the field for many years, starting as a registered nurse and becoming a family nurse practitioner. One big issue is insurance companies. They often deny procedures or medications until certain steps are followed, even though clinicians know what's needed. Getting approvals takes a lot of time and delays treatment, which is frustrating for both healthcare workers and patients.

There are also so many new studies and treatment recommendations that it's hard to stay updated. Guidelines change frequently, which is also frustrating. However, I've found that older methods are often reliable and effective.

Knowing what I know now, I'm unsure if I would choose this career again. I can't imagine doing anything else, though. I loved working with patients, helping them understand their health and working with them to get them to their best health. There are many roles in healthcare, from direct patient care to management, research, and teaching. If someone is passionate about healthcare, I would recommend it. But I am glad I recently retired.
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