Healthcare Careers: To Go Private or Public?

One of the most important decisions an individual has to make when searching for jobs in the healthcare industry is where and who to work for. For many the question of “where” is answered by simply deciding to stay in whatever area they consider home.

Nevertheless, considering relocation can often help those who are searching for jobs in healthcare make more of the career. The cost of living and salaries offered in different areas throughout the country can show significant differences. For example, if it costs one around $10,000 extra to afford to live in a city where a job is offering $7,000 more a year then the position offered might not be the best to be had.

As with any career path, those in the healthcare industry who are willing to relocate stand the greatest chance of making more a year. With many cities throughout the country experiencing shortages in workers to fill available jobs in healthcare, competition for qualified employees is on the rise. In most cases, if an area desperately needs healthcare workers then these positions will pay much more.

After narrowing one's search for a job in the healthcare industry to a specific area, one has to decide if they prefer to work in the private or public sector. For most individuals this decision is made based on what jobs are available and what pay is offered. Many individuals neglect a third option when searching for jobs in healthcare; working for one of the many government organizations that hires such professionals.

Government jobs in healthcare often have salaries that have been adjusted more accurately for the area's cost of living. These positions often offer more overall insurance coverage for an individual's entire family. Most government jobs see to it that all family members receive medical, dental, eye, and even life insurance. For those who find healthcare employment on a neighboring military base also have the added incentive of being able to purchase much needed necessities, such as groceries and gas, tax free. Over the course of a year, these bonuses can really make a difference.

One of the largest provides of government healthcare jobs is the Department of Veterans Affairs, which employes over 225,000 individuals. The VA currently runs 163 hospitals, 850 outpatient clinics, 137 nursing homes, 43 domiciliary facilities and 73 home-care programs nationwide.