Do you hope to pursue a career in healthcare one day? Whether you want to become a nurse, doctor, or physician assistant, it can be an extremely demanding but rewarding field.

“Students who thrive in healthcare are the ones who show resilience, tenacity, and responsibility,” Wakeland health science teacher Dr. Bennett said. “A caring, service-oriented heart is the biggest sign someone is well-suited for this kind of work.”

With so many options in healthcare, it can be tough to choose a path. The roles of doctors, nurses, and PAs all vary in education length, pay, and responsibility.

“Doctor is the most autonomous, PA second, nurse third,” Dr. Bennett said. “Remember higher autonomy equals higher responsibility, but higher pay and more school.”

You can go to the American Medical Association’s website then Medical Students then Specialty Profiles to get a good overview. There is also similar information available on Nursingworld.org.

For those who feel called to help others, the rewards of the job can be life-changing.

“Improving someone’s quality of life by helping them with their physical medical needs is soul fulfilling and the absolute biggest reward,” Dr. Bennett said.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore healthcare or already have a dream job in mind, remember that this journey takes passion, patience, and purpose. It is okay to have questions—what matters most is your drive to make a difference.

If you are considering a future in healthcare but aren’t sure where to start, explore more resources at AAMC Careers in Medicine (https://careersinmedicine.aamc.org/) to find the path that’s right for you.