A career in healthcare gives you the chance to support people during moments when care, compassion and practical help are essential. You could be exploring a new career path or returning to work and may be wondering if healthcare is right for you. This guide will provide you with all the answers.
Discover why so many people choose to work in healthcare in the UK, what the role is really like, and how to begin your career in one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors.
The Context of the Healthcare Industry in England
If you don’t already work in healthcare, you may be wondering what the industry is like. Demand for skilled care workers continues to rise due to an ageing population and an increasing number of people living with long-term and complex conditions.
Nearly one in five people in England are aged over 65, and twice as many are 50 or over. That’s around 33 million in total, according to the Centre for Better Ageing. Research from the Health Foundation’s REAL Centre shows that improving care services by 2030 will require at least 488,000 additional healthcare workers plus 627,000 social care staff.
For anyone considering a healthcare role, these numbers highlight clear job security and long-term stability because the demand is so high and essential.
What It’s Really Like to Work in Healthcare
Working in care, like home care services or those with specialist and complex needs, is predominantly supporting people when they need help most. This can be with everyday tasks, personal needs or if they have specialist conditions which need to be managed carefully. Other care services may include assisting with mobility or offering companionship, and a lot of the time it’s also being a reassuring presence during challenging moments for both the person you’re caring for and their family.
Every person you care for will have different health needs and personalities, making the work fast-paced and keeping you on your toes. However, it also means there’s an exciting variety in your day-to-day role. Just hearing some of the life stories from those you’ll be looking after can be satisfaction enough that you’re in the right place.
Healthcare is a purposeful career. Data from a YouGov survey confirms this, as 80% of those who work in ‘medical and health services’ are most likely to feel their job makes a meaningful contribution to the world. Indeed also labels care work as the third most rewarding career.
The Benefits of Working in Healthcare
There are at least 7 benefits you’ll experience when you choose to work in healthcare, especially with Sova.
1. You Make a Real Difference Every Day
Impact is one of the biggest motivators for care workers. Even the smallest of actions, like a reassuring conversation, a calm response to anxious thoughts and feelings, or a warm meal where people aren’t eating on their own, can completely change someone’s day. You can visibly see the differences you make with those that you care for and their families, whether you’re a dementia carer, franchise owner or healthcare assistant, they all play a pivotal role in their quality of care and standard of living.
2. Strong Job Security in a Growing Sector
Healthcare and social care remain among the UK’s fastest-growing industries and has been for a few years; Forbes Advisor noted it in 2023, while Money.co.uk research found that health and social work was the highest (+4.49%) of eight industries to grow their business population between 2023 and 2024. The workforce shortages, ageing population and likely increase of long-term conditions mean roles are in high demand now, and are expected to grow for decades.
3. Clear Career Progression Routes
Healthcare allows you to build a long and fulfilling career, at whatever age you join. Many begin as care assistants before progressing into senior care or coordinator roles, later leading to management and leadership. There are also qualifications you can achieve alongside practical care work, such as the NHS’s Care Certificate, Level 2 to 5 health and social care diplomas, or specialist training courses that help you advance quickly. Working in healthcare also provides opportunities to specialise, such as in mental health, elderly care, or dementia and complex care needs.
4. You Don’t Need a Degree to Get Started
Many roles don’t require university education or previous healthcare experience. What matters most is empathy, patience and reliability, along with a genuine desire to support others. Most healthcare providers will provide you with training and shadowing from experienced staff to prepare you with the practical skills needed.
5. You Build Transferable Skills
A career in healthcare gives you a set of abilities that stay with you for life, such as:
- Improved and diverse communication
- Emotional intelligence and resilience
- Problem-solving in a variety of real-world scenarios
- Time management
- Collaboration and teamwork
All of these skills open doors across many industries, not just for healthcare.
6. The Variety of Work
If you’re someone who doesn’t like repetitive work, healthcare is an excellent fit. You’ll support people with different backgrounds, conditions and needs, which keeps each day engaging and meaningful.
7. Flexible Working Hours
Many healthcare roles offer flexible shift patterns to work around you, especially if you want to enter the industry part-time. This allows you to balance your work and personal life.
What Are the Challenges of Working in Healthcare?
It’s important to understand the realities of working in healthcare, which can often come with challenges like:
- Emotionally demanding situations
- You may take the weight of some situations home
- Shift work and antisocial hours
- Fast-paced and reactive environments
- Physically active tasks
However, many care workers develop strategies to manage stress and maintain boundaries with training and mentoring, allowing them to feel confident in their responsibilities.
Is a Career in Healthcare Right for You?
The NHS’s values are a great place to start if you’re deciding if a healthcare career is right for you. This includes:
- The person in your care comes first, and working together with them is the priority.
- Treat every person with respect and dignity, understanding their priorities, needs and abilities.
- Commitment to quality of care, ensuring the safety, effectiveness and patient experience is right every time.
- Be compassionate and respond with kindness to every scenario.
- Strive to improve lives with the support and care you bring.
- Ensure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.
A career in healthcare can also be right for you if you find fulfilment in helping others, want to work with purpose, and are good at staying calm in busy situations. If these traits sound like you, healthcare can be both professionally and personally rewarding.
How to Start Your Career in Healthcare
Beginning a healthcare career isn’t as daunting as it may seem. The Global Banking School (GBS) recommends:
- Researching and enrolling on any relevant courses that may help you get a role in health and social care (although this isn’t necessary in a lot of cases but can help later down the career path).
- Gain experience and exposure by volunteering or finding a part-time care role.
- Develop key skills such as communication and empathy.
- Consider certifications or additional training like first aid or safeguarding to enhance your employability.
- Monitor industry trends, policy changes and technology updates to stay relevant.
- Connect with other healthcare professionals and join professional associations to gain insight and advice.
Whether you’re a student finishing college and are researching university degrees, you’re a professional looking for a career change, or you’re re-entering employment after some time out, working in health and social care is a rewarding, purpose-driven career choice.
Why Choose a Career with Sova Healthcare?
At Sova Healthcare, we offer support and training for all our staff. Whether you’re an experienced healthcare professional or you are looking to begin your career in the industry, you’ll receive the training and support you need to develop your career. All new care employees will receive complete induction training, along with ongoing practical training and shadowing senior staff members.
Feeling unfulfilled in your current job? Seeking a career change? Looking to make a difference to loved ones? Healthcare is a great career choice if you want to make a difference to the lives of so many people across the country.
Make the first step to starting a career in healthcare today by filling out an application form, including the location you want to work in. If you have any questions about what roles are available at Sova Healthcare, contact one of our regional teams today.