Fading Healthcare Professions: Roles Losing Relevance in Today's Market and What is Taking Their Place

It’s not necessarily surprising for an American audience to see healthcare as an industry. And like any industry, it changes. Demands fluctuate in response to technological advancements and public requirements.

While healthcare is somewhat insulated from change because it is a necessary service it still evolves with the times.

Are some healthcare careers on their way out? More importantly, are new careers emerging?

In this article, we take an in-depth look at the always-changing healthcare job market.  Read on to learn more about healthcare careers.

Are There fading Healthcare Professions? 

OK. The question is, if not misleading, then incomplete. The truth is that most healthcare professionals have more job security than they can shake a stick at. However, there are new skills that are gaining increasing importance in the world of healthcare.

There are also newly emerging fields that offer appealing alternatives to the stereotypical floor nurse lifestyle.

There are limited examples of jobs that may go away because of technological advancements. Radiology is the most common example.

In fact, a recent survey suggested that more than 15% of medical students in the year 2020 declined to select radiology as their primary interest because of the encroachment of AI. 

It is true that artificial intelligence has been shown to read radiology reports very quickly and with almost the same level of accuracy as a human.

That’s great, right? And healthcare speed is extremely important. Any technology that can make the diagnostic process quicker is certainly welcome.

But the phrase “almost as accurately,” may mean something in horseshoes, it is meaningless in this context. Certainly it does not provide much comfort to someone who has been misdiagnosed by an artificial intelligence program. Most probably radiologists will go on existing for the indefinite future. Artificial intelligence may change the work they do but it is reasonably safe to assume that AI programs will require robust supervision.

So no, there aren’t that many jobs in the healthcare setting that are subject to go away anytime soon. However, there are plenty of new jobs coming up that should be of interest to anyone who is considering working as a doctor or nurse.

Below, we take a look at some healthcare careers you might not have thought of before.

Data

Data is an important skill, no matter what healthcare field you intend to go into. Modern nursing students are taught a wealth of data processing and implementation skills.

Some people take things a step further by going to graduate school for specific nursing careers.

Informatics nurses are a very good example of this. They may still deal with patient care at a minor level. However, most of their attention goes towards numbers.

How can the hospital improve? This includes patient care but extends to processes and procedures as well.

Informatics nurses have the opportunity to engage in fulfilling strategic-based work. They also make an above-average salary, sweetening the deal.

Between undergraduate and graduate school, it can take up to seven years to become an informatics nurse.

Forensic nurse

Forensic nurses are not exactly new. They are in high demand. Forensic nurses work with people who have recently been victims of a crime. They may provide care to victims of assault or battery. They also frequently collect evidence and administer care to people who have been victims of sexual assault.

Naturally, this means that the work they do is of an incredibly sensitive nature.

When forensic nurses are not treating patients, they are often preparing materials for court.

Because they work closely with law enforcement, they are often needed to provide expert testimony during trials. 

The work is challenging from an emotional perspective, but it does give nurses the chance to make a difference in the community and administer care to people who need it very desperately.

Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners have been around for a long time, but are becoming increasingly prominent. Why? There are two reasons. For one thing, many communities are recognizing nurse practitioners as a way to fill important gaps in their healthcare system. 

Nurse practitioners are able to fulfill any of the same responsibilities as a doctor. For another, they can be trained much quicker. Where a doctor may not be ready to work until more than 10 years after their undergraduate degree, nurse practitioners need only a few years of graduate school to begin diagnosing patients, prescribing medication, and performing other important responsibilities.

The other key development? More states are recognizing the importance of nurse practitioners and giving them greater autonomy. All over the country states are allowing nurse practitioners to open up their own practices and perform many of the same functions as general practitioners.

This gives people living in those communities more healthcare options, and it also creates unique opportunities for nurses who want to advance their education and further their careers. 

There is No Shortage of Opportunities

While the title of this article suggests a diminishing of opportunities the fact is that healthcare careers have never been in more demand.

 Is it important to pay attention to trends within the industry? Of course. But that is not at all to say that nurses or doctors are experiencing fewer opportunities than they have had in the past. The very opposite is true. Communities all over the country are experiencing an acute shortage of all types of healthcare professionals.

Ready to dedicate your life to taking care of others? If so, consider a rewarding career in the world of healthcare.