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Care work is a rewarding and often difficult industry to forge a career in. People often forget that being a care worker requires good patience, strength, a caring nature, and genuine compassion for people. It isn’t for everyone and can be highly emotional, but it does have so much to offer. So, what are the top five reasons to become a carer today?
Since the recent pandemic, the spotlight has been firmly on the care work industry. Care workers have been in great demand with more looking to become a care worker. This career isn’t to be taken lightly but does come with a host of rewards and benefits. So, if you’re thinking about a career change, what should you know about the care industry?
It can be varied and very demanding
Being a care worker is a great career. You meet many people and can make a huge difference in their lives as well. Care work is such an amazing (and worthwhile) career to choose. Of course, as with the positives, there are negatives. One of the more contentious issues with the care system is that it can be quite demanding. That doesn’t mean to say this isn’t the industry for you, but you need to be prepared for hard work.
There are emotions involved with care work too. A care worker can meet patients that have another forty years, while others have considerably less. It’s tough to say goodbye to patients, but it can also be rewarding to see their smiling faces when you walk in the door.
Care work has lots of training options available
One of the more unique aspects of being a care worker is that everyone starts on an equal footing. There are no degrees or qualifications needed, just some compassion and the ability to do the job. Fortunately, there are lots of opportunities to learn new skills and advance your career. There are many training courses available to care workers that can help in many different settings too.
Interacting with new people
Care work is quite different from many other sectors. It is demanding but highly rewarding and allows you to interact with many new faces. That’s fantastic because you’re meeting new people and giving your time to those who need it most. Whether you spend five minutes or five hours with a patient, it can make a big difference in their lives (as well as yours). Being a care worker is rewarding.
Getting a job in the care system
Whether you’re looking to work in a care home or visit patients at home, you will likely start with some very basic training. Typically, you don’t need any qualifications; however, first-aid certification may be required at some stage. This can be completed through your new job, or you can take a class in your own time. A new care worker will usually shadow other carers before attending to patients themselves. Care work can be unique in that sense as bosses need to know you’re able to care for patients by yourself.
There will always be fresh challenges
Whether you’re in the care work sector for five months or five years, you’ll always find new challenges. For instance, a patient has very specific care needs that are different from what you’d normally expect. That means you have to adapt but still offer as much comfort and support to the patient as needed. Being a care worker means you have to be ready to adapt to different circumstances because no two patients have the same care needs.
A career with potential
There is little doubt the care industry comes with unique challenges and rewards. Patients vary considerably and for some, you’re their only point of contact with the outside world. You have to constantly adapt to new surroundings and be compassionate with everyone you meet. Care work isn’t easy but can be hugely rewarding and being a care worker can be an amazing career to choose.