If you get a medical education, most assume you’ll go into a medical field. That’s not how it works for everyone, though. There are many people who get nursing or doctoral degrees that look for something that’s a bit more off the beaten path. Below are just a three alternative career paths for doctors and nurses.
Lobbying
One common issue in the world of medicine is the divide between those who practice and those who make the rules. Some of the most effective lobbyists, then, are those who have experience on both sides of the divide. Some former doctors and nurses make a fantastic living helping to smooth out some of the challenges of drug development or advocating for new practices in the medical community. Lobbying is often a good career for those who understand medicine but are also able to communicate their passage in a way that a layperson can understand.
Non-Profit Executive
Healthcare professionals also make fantastic members of the non-profit community. With the prestige of a medical degree and the long hours spent learning how to communicate, these individuals are naturals when it comes to the ins and outs of non-profits. Whether they work as volunteers who still practice medicine or transition into executive roles, healthcare professionals can bring quite a bit to both new and established charities. It’s not as lucrative as medicine, but working for a charity can help many former doctors and nurses feel like they are still giving back to their communities.
Teaching
While it’s common to see doctors or nurses teach in the healthcare field, there are also many who make the transition into teaching high schools and public schools. Doctors and nurses are both excellent teachers for subjects like anatomy, biology, and physiology. Many in both fields are also able to successfully translate their knowledge into fields like chemistry and algebra. The tremendous amount of education that it takes to work in the medical field is a great background for those who would eventually like to teach. While doctors rarely teach at the collegiate level outside of nursing certification programs and other medical specialties, they can still make a difference in a few other departments.
If you currently practice medicine, it’s important to realize that you still have options. All of the work you put into learning how to be a great doctor or nurse can still translate into several other great job opportunities. If your focus has always been to help others, you might find that your medical degree is a ticket to an entirely new kind of life.
