Exploring the Convergence of Healthcare and Social Work in Career Paths

For many people, being able to help others and make an impact on their lives is one of the most important parts of a fulfilling career. This often leads people to step into career roles in both healthcare and social work. However, it’s not always easy for aspiring professionals to decide between the two fields.

Fortunately, as we delve deeper into the future, the need to decide one or the other is slowly disappearing. Specifically, the fields of healthcare and social work are coming together in keyways that allow professionals to truly benefit the lives of countless people.

Those interested in this type of career can benefit from gaining an understanding of different career options that involve both healthcare and social work.

Here is exploring the convergence of healthcare and social work in career paths.

Healthcare Social Worker

While social workers can work in a variety of settings, such as schools and government offices, many decide to work in healthcare. This can include settings such as hospitals, mental health clinics, and outpatient facilities.

Healthcare social workers make a tremendous impact on the lives of those they serve in several keyways. At the heart of their role, social workers can be seen as collaborators who help patients experience the best possible outcomes.

In some cases, this will take the form of social workers advocating for patients to receive the best possible care. In other cases, this will involve social workers connecting patients with robust mental health resources. Ultimately, social workers perform many different roles that help patients get the help they need and overcome healthcare-related obstacles in their lives.

For those interested in stepping into a job role that is incredibly impactful on people’s lives, becoming a healthcare social worker is an amazing choice. Not only will one be able to ensure that people are receiving the medical care they need in this role, but one will also be able to go beyond these duties and help individuals in lasting ways in other areas of their lives.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family nurse practitioners are advanced healthcare professionals who provide healthcare services to patients throughout their lives. Though their specific duties can vary depending on the specific state they’re in, these professionals typically provide care similar to that of primary care physicians.

Though family nurse practitioners are not social workers by name, the extended amount of time they serve patients allows them to cultivate meaningful relationships with them. As a result, many family nurse practitioners often engage in duties similar to those in social worker roles.

This can include things such as connecting patients with mental health care resources, educating patients about their conditions, and sometimes even case management.

The opportunity to provide medical care at a high level while also being able to make an impact on patients’ lives in ways similar to social workers is what draws many to this role. In addition, family nurse practitioners often command lucrative salaries and have ample opportunities to grow in their careers.

To become qualified for this role, one must complete extensive education that culminates in becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice or DNP. Though the road to this career can be long and difficult, the many rewards of this career path motivate many aspiring professionals to pursue it.

Home Health Nurse

Though one wouldn’t guess it at first, home health nurses engage in a wide variety of practices that mirror social work. Though the primary function of these professionals is to provide medical care and treatments to patients in their homes, they often develop connections with patients and help them in many ways.

One duty that home health nurses often take on is that of case management. Essentially, this is the practice of helping patients navigate the social work system. In addition, home health nurses often take it upon themselves to help patients deal with and find treatment for mental health ailments.

For those interested in nursing and making a huge impact on the lives of patients, this can be an incredibly fulfilling job role. This is because, beyond providing care, one has the opportunity to help patients thrive in a number of impactful ways.

To become a home health nurse, one will typically need to obtain a Bachelor of Nursing degree and have some experience as a registered nurse. After completing these tasks, one will become eligible for employment by a home health nursing agency.

Healthcare and Social Work Go Hand in Hand

As time goes on, the lines between social work and healthcare continue to blur more and more as they become increasingly interrelated fields of work. From helping people as a social worker in healthcare facilities to providing lifelong care and support as an FNP, there are many career paths for aspiring professionals to combine their desire to provide medical care and perform social work.