HEALTH CARE'S VITAL SIGNS
HEARTBEAT: Registered nurses are the powerhouse segment of the healthcare industry.
by George Gurney Career Insider
HEARTBEAT: Registered nurses are the powerhouse segment of the healthcare industry. Their category is the fastest growing segment among all jobs that require a post second degree.
PROGNOSIS: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) reports that of the 30 fastest growing occupations, 17 are healthcare related. A health service is one of the largest industries in the country, with more than 11 million jobs.
"A shortage of nurses threatens the quality of healthcare in communities across America," said Health Resources and Services Administration Director, Elizabeth James Duke. Health and Human Service Secretary, Tommy Thompson, in a prepared statement, said "If more people don't choose careers in nursing, it will become more and more difficult for patients to get quality healthcare."
Based on the statistics it seems that the healthcare industry is very healthy and primed for growth. It is apparent that the healthcare segment has not been dragged down, but continues to grow and expand employment opportunities.
Dear Headhunter,
I am a full time nursing student and work part time. My question pertains to salary. I am doing research for a future salary and I believe my last full-time salary was below industry standards according to the amount of experience I had. I know the size of the firm plays a role too. How do I justify a 20-30K increase to bring it up, at least, to minimum standards and most specifically, healthcare industry standards?
Thank you, R.G., San Gabriel
Dear R.G.,
The fact that your current income is far below the jobs in which you will be interviewing for after you graduate does not matter to your future employer. Every job has three pay ranges, with low, mid and high points. Most companies want to hire at the mid-point or lower. Being as you are looking for your first full-time position after you graduate, you will be offered a salary with low range. KEY: Get the job, regardless of the salary. You need to establish your career. Develop a strong work ethic; keep track of all your accomplishments, keep learning, always have a current resume and good things are bound to happen.
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"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambition. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
-Mark Twain
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Dear Headhunter,
I saw a column about you in the newspaper. Working in the health care industry, I constantly received telephone calls from headhunters. I mostly ignored the calls. Now that I am ready to look for a new opportunity would like to have a headhunter represent me. How does your service work? Is there a fee involved? Can I retain a headhunter to find me a new job? I would appreciate a response.
Thank you very much, D.N., Glendale
Dear D.N.,
The hiring company always pays the fee to the headhunter/recruiter. There is never a fee due to a future employee. If you are ever asked for a fee from a headhunter, hang up, they are not a bona fide recruiter and it may be a scam. The best way to contact a headhunter is to be referred by a friend or co-worker. If you send in a resume unsolicited, don't expect a response. There seems to be confusion on whether or not a person can hire a recruiter. The answer is "No," because recruiters work only for the hiring companies. The fact that headhunters do not accept fees from job seekers should remind you that the client is the hiring company. The needs of the client are to be met first. When you get your next headhunter call, be open-minded, they may have that perfect opportunity. If you're not interested, help the headhunters with referrals and they will remember your assistance.
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"Failure is an event, never a person." -William D. Brown
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"Things may come to those who wait…but only the things left by those who hustle."
-Abraham Lincoln
