What It’s Really Like To Work In a Hospital

There are dozens of TV serials based on life inside a hospital. 

We’ve all seen House, Grey’s Anatomy, and the super-accurate Scrubs, but these shows don’t really show what day-to-day life is like when you work in a hospital. Before you dive into a career change into healthcare, find out what it’s like to work in a hospital.

Hospitals are very interesting workplaces. They can vary from flat-out excitement to very dull periods. The people inside them often make a huge contribution to the culture and how each employee gets through their day. We’ve spoken to a few healthcare professionals to get an idea of what it’s really like to work in a hospital.

The Pros of Working in a Hospital

You Make a Real Difference

For many people in hospitals, making a difference is the reason they entered a healthcare career in the first place. When you’re helping people overcome illness and various maladies, it’s easy to see how you’re making a significant difference in someone’s life. Something as simple as taking the pain away can really put a smile on a person’s face.

When you work in a hospital, you are uniquely placed to make a difference in dozens of lives every single day. Most people need to visit a hospital at some point in their life. By working there, you can truly make a difference for people from all walks of life. There’s nothing more satisfying than a “thank you” from a happy patient.

Excellent Job Stability

With a rapidly growing population comes an ever-greater demand for healthcare services. When you enter a career in healthcare, you’re entering an industry that is almost always short-staffed and constantly searching for new people.

Whether you’re an emergency department surgeon or a medical receptionist, you’ll never have extreme difficulty finding work. Unlike many industries that are shrinking, healthcare is growing strongly, particularly as incomes rise and more people are able to afford procedures that may previously have been considered elective.

If job security is important to you, then healthcare is a good place to be. You’ll have a reasonable amount of stability (hectic schedules aside) and won’t be short on options if you wish to move to a different hospital or work in private practice.

No two days are the same

There’s nothing worse than working in a role where every single day is basically the same. If you want to meet new people every day, then you should probably work in a hospital. You’ll interact with patients from every tier of society. From unemployed drug addicts to high-flying finance executives, you’ll get to experience working with people from all walks of life.

When you work in a hospital, no two days are the same. You’ll see a huge variety of medical conditions and differing patient requirements. Depending on your role and the size of the hospital, you’ll also come into contact with a large number of health professionals from varying backgrounds as well. By meeting so many people, you’ll always have someone around that you know.

You’re part of a talented team

Being part of a great team is an awesome feeling. It’s great being able to rely on the people around you to do their job and do it well. Of course, everyone has their off days, but the high pressure and requirements of most hospital roles mean that you’ll be working with seasoned professionals most of the time.

With everyone focused on helping patients and improving their hospital experience, there is little time for slackness or not doing your job properly. Being able to lean on your team during tough times makes the job so much easier. You’ll also have to be there when your colleagues need you, but in a hospital environment, you’ll be more than prepared to lend a hand.

The Cons of Working in a Hospital

Exposure to pathogens

Depending on your role, you’ll likely have a lot of exposure to germs and pathogens. This is a huge risk that comes with any job in a hospital. However, the rewarding work is usually worth it.

Your first few weeks will be marked by a general feeling of being rundown as you get exposed to a whole range of bacteria and viruses that your body hasn’t battled in the past. However, over time you’ll develop a powerful immune system that can handle most things that the hospital can throw at you. Of course, there is also the risk of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, but good sanitary procedures can help reduce this risk. 

You’re surrounded by sickness and death

This is a tough one for many people. A natural consequence of working in a hospital is that you’re constantly surrounded by people when they’re at their worst. It can definitely get you down at times, especially considering you can’t help everyone that needs it.

Over time though, the satisfaction of helping people that really need it and watching them regain their health can be very rewarding. There will always be death in hospitals, however, there are far more recovery stories.

The work is incredibly draining

Many of the roles in hospitals require you to be active and alert at all times. You’ll be on your feet constantly, rushing from one situation to the next. Even if you have a desk job, you will definitely feel the pressure of high work volumes at times.

Beyond the physical pressures, working in a hospital can also be emotionally draining. Seeing patients fall further into sickness or even die can definitely get to you. Most healthcare professionals adopt a detached attitude to dealing with things, and this can certainly help.

Tough work hours

Most hospitals run around the clock, 24/7. When you work in a hospital, you may be required to be on call or have to pick up extra shifts regularly. Very few people escape working nights and weekend shifts during their time at a hospital.

Even worse, some of the busiest periods for hospitals are the holiday seasons. When most people are with their families, taking time off work, you’ll be in the trenches helping people with their medical concerns.

It’s a tough gig, but somebody’s got to do it. People that work in hospitals are among the most respected in society. They work hard and have a huge impact on the lives of their patients. If you’re a hard worker and want to truly make a difference, then you might enjoy working in a hospital.

Ready to kickstart your career? Call our friendly team on 1300 616 197 to discuss your career aspirations and create a plan that will get you where you want to be as fast as possible.

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