Taking a step towards a career in healthcare is thrilling, but finding the right healthcare training program can be daunting. There are so many programs available that it can be difficult to determine which one aligns with your career goals, learning preferences, and schedule.
The perfect healthcare training program can set you up with the skills, hands-on experience, and confidence you need to start your career. However, if you pick a school because it’s convenient or cheap, you may get stuck in a program that won’t prepare you for your dream career.
With options, the landscape of healthcare training programs is quite varied. To help you make the right choice, this guide will walk you through key considerations when choosing healthcare training programs.
Define Your Career Goals
Before you start researching healthcare training programs, take a little time to identify what you want from your career. Healthcare is a large industry with many careers that require vastly different levels of education, training, and responsibilities. If you know where you want to go, it becomes much easier to plan your journey.
Consider the type of work that interests you. Do you want to work directly with patients? Do you see yourself supporting a healthcare provider? Would you prefer working behind the desk or performing clinical procedures? If you enjoy interacting with patients, you may enjoy a career as a medical assistant. If you prefer working with dentists, dental assisting might be a better choice.
Consider how quickly you want to start your career. There are healthcare careers you can begin after completing a short training program. Other positions may require several years of education.
Consider your ideal work environment, too. Do you see yourself working in a physician’s office or dental practice? Would you rather work in a hospital or a lab? Research the duties, work environment and career outlook of each career that interests you. Having a goal in mind will prevent you from settling for convenient or popular programs.
Understand the Different Types of Healthcare Training Programs
Healthcare career training programs come in different structures. They can range from certificate programs to two-year associate degrees. Take the time to research your options instead of just picking the first program you find.
Certificate and career training programs can be a great way to receive focused training for a healthcare career. Some career training programs to consider are:
- Medical Assistant: Learn clinical and administrative skills to assist healthcare providers and patients.
- Dental Assistant: learn patient care, dental procedures and office assistance.
- Medical Office Specialist: learn medical office skills such as medical records, scheduling, patient communications and office procedures.
- Healthcare Administration: learn healthcare management, office procedures, records, and more.
- Vocational Nursing: gain the skills needed to provide basic patient care, nursing procedures and clinical skills as a vocational nurse.
When picking a program consider the courses offered in the curriculum, how long it takes to complete the program, hands-on training opportunities, admissions requirements, and what type of career you can pursue when you graduate.
Also think about the format. If you’re only accustomed to traditional classroom learning, you may not like online courses. Consider what works with your schedule and find a program that provides the training you need in a format you can complete.
Check Your State's Requirements Before Enrolling in a Program
Before committing to a healthcare training program, make sure to investigate the requirements in the state where you intend to practice. Many health care professions have varying licensing, certification, or registration requirements from state to state. Just because a program will train you for a career doesn’t mean that it will fulfill all your requirements if you plan to move or work in a different state.
First, research the specific role you're interested in. Does your state require you to graduate from an approved training program, pass an exam or receive a license or professional certification before you can be employed? Do they provide a list of approved programs? Make sure the program you are looking into complies with those guidelines.
This is particularly crucial for jobs that require working with patients or hold state-mandated licenses. For example, becoming a vocational nurse generally involves meeting specific educational benchmarks, passing an exam, and obtaining a state license. Checking these details early can help you avoid investing time and money in a program that does not meet your state's requirements.
Consider Cost and Financial Aid Options
Before committing to a healthcare training program, make sure you understand the costs involved. Tuition is just one piece of the puzzle. You may also need to factor in books, supplies, uniforms, certification exams, transportation and more, depending on the program.
Education in the healthcare field can become costly as you obtain higher qualifications. About 70 per cent of medical students finished school with some student debt in 2023. On the contrary, career-training programs typically cost less because they take less time than medical school.
Research the total costs of different programs, not just tuition. From there, look into financial assistance options like:
- Scholarships: Financial aid that you may not have to pay back.
- Grants: This form of aid can be granted based on your financial situation or other criteria.
- Payment plans: These help break up tuition into manageable payments.
- Financial aid: You may be eligible for financial aid offered by the school, depending on the school and program.
You should also evaluate the potential return on investment of any given program. Sometimes, investing a little extra in a program that offers enhanced practical skills or more robust career support can really pay off.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Healthcare Training Program
Before you enroll, make sure you are not overlooking these common mistakes:
Choosing a Program Based Only on Its Low Tuition
Choosing the program with the lowest tuition is one way to narrow your options. However, the program with the lowest tuition may also have limited resources, hands-on training opportunities, or student services. Weigh the program's offerings against its cost. Consider the curriculum, training opportunities, facilities, support services, and overall value when making your decision.
Ignoring Hidden Fees and Additional Expenses
The tuition fee might not be the whole story; be prepared for additional expenses such as textbooks, uniforms, equipment, supplies, certification exams, and transportation. Before you sign up, get a detailed breakdown of all the costs from each school to help you plan your budget.
Overlooking the Program’s Schedule and Learning Format
Even if a program has the best curriculum, it may not be the right choice for you if it doesn’t fit your schedule. Find out if classes are offered during the day or at night, and if weekend classes are available. You should also consider the learning format and decide if you want to learn online or in person.
Ignoring Student Reviews and Feedback
Student reviews can provide you with a better sense of what it’s actually like to attend a program. Check for feedback regarding the teaching staff, the subjects covered, academic assistance, the campus environment, and your overall experience as a student. It’s best to consider students' opinions broadly rather than relying on a single perspective. Look for consistent themes to identify potential strengths and weaknesses before making a decision.
Overlooking the School's Facilities and Learning Resources
Healthcare training means you get to do things, not just read about them. When evaluating programs, take note of the facilities, equipment, laboratories, and other learning resources available to students. Updated, well-maintained resources support hands-on learning and help you become familiar with the tools and procedures you’ll use on the job.
Failing to Compare Multiple Programs Before Making a Decision
While it can be tempting to enroll in the first program that fits your needs, comparing a few programs can help you enroll with confidence. Compare tuition rates, curriculum, program length, class schedules, facilities, student support, and training opportunities. Create a comparison chart to help you visualize which program is the best fit.
Take the First Step Towards Your Healthcare Career
Choosing the right healthcare training program is important and can impact how prepared you feel when entering the workforce. Take time to identify your career goals, do your research, understand your state’s requirements and weigh your options based on cost and learning format. Look beyond tuition and consider hands-on training, facilities, student resources, and career services. Preparing ahead of time will help you choose a program that matches your career interests, schedule, and long-term goals.
Ready to get the education you need to start a career in healthcare? The National Career College (NCC) offers programs such as medical assistant, dental assistant, healthcare administration, medical office specialist, vocational nursing and more.
Our hands-on training and career-path-specific programs are designed to build the skills and qualifications you need to move forward in your career. Learn more about any of our healthcare training programs today and take your first step into your future.