There are an estimated 18 million military veterans in the U.S. – representing roughly seven percent of the adult population. It takes a special kind of person to serve in the military; someone who’s willing to put the needs of others before their own. In that regard – and in other ways – professional in-home caregivers and veterans share many of the same traits. Here’s why many vets are now choosing to serve on the front lines of America’s rapidly growing home care industry once they’ve transitioned from the military for good.
What Makes Veterans Suited for Home Care?
The average veteran is well suited for a job in the healthcare industry primarily due to their intensive military training. Veterans are highly dedicated individuals who are trained to react quickly and perform efficiently in stressful situations, enabling them to make tough decisions under pressure.
Because military environments often translate well into civilian team environments such as health care, veterans have a knack for effectively completing assignments and adapting to change while seamlessly coordinating efforts with fellow team members. In most cases, a veteran’s experience is an asset to team-oriented environments such as those found in the healthcare industry – including home care.
Why Are Veterans Drawn to Home Care?
The home care industry in general has several characteristics that appeal to veterans. For instance, many in-home caregivers find their jobs to be highly gratifying as they help others every day lead independent lifestyles.
Although most home care positions are typically not 9-to-5 jobs with regular schedules, this workplace flexibility is often viewed in a positive light by transitioning veterans. Much like the military, home care jobs often provide good career advancement opportunities with additional training and education.
Using health care as an example, U.S. Army Combat Medics have transferrable skills that make them uniquely qualified for various civilian positions immediately after leaving the military. As a result, a Combat Medic may choose a career path as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) while specializing in a field like home care.
Are There Resources for Veterans Interested in Home Care?
Veterans and military spouses who are interested in pursuing a career in health care – including home care – can take advantage of these resources:
- United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) – This is a U.S. Department of Defense apprenticeship program for Active-Duty service members, National Guard members, and reservists to gain a nationally recognized certification for their work while in the service.
- Health.mil – As the official website of the U.S. Military Health System, users can use this site to search for civilian jobs available in the military health care system. Veterans from the Navy, Air Force, and Army receive expedited hiring authority to shorten the process for certain essential healthcare positions.
Which U.S. Cities Have the Most Healthcare Jobs?
As a veteran transitioning into the healthcare industry, another factor to consider is the cities around the country with the highest hiring potential.
According to a 2020 study conducted by Grand Canyon University (GCU), these are the top 10 cities in the U.S. for healthcare jobs, including home care:
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- Pittsburgh, PA
- Cleveland, OH
- Providence, RI
- Indianapolis, IN
- Milwaukee, WI
- Philadelphia, PA
- Buffalo, NY
- Birmingham, AL
- Hartford, CT
- Jacksonville, FL
Final Thoughts
Given that healthcare occupations will be in high demand for the foreseeable future and that veterans are uniquely qualified to serve in the role of caregivers, any veteran seeking employment should consider pursuing a career in the rapidly growing home care industry.
As a nation, our challenge is to ensure that veterans who enter healthcare occupations – including home care – enter at the highest level that their education, training, and experience support.
Come Join Our Amazing Team in Indianapolis, IN!
At Senior1Care, we proudly salute the brave men and women in uniform that keep our country safe, including our veterans. Because quality home care starts with our caregivers, you’ll never find anyone more committed to you than Senior1Care. Due to our expanding client load, we are seeking qualified candidates to fill several open caregiving positions in Indianapolis, IN.
Whether you’re a CNA, nurse, therapist, or another type of healthcare professional, we’d love to hear from you. What are you waiting for? To learn more about how to pursue an exciting career opportunity with Senior1Care today, please visit us at www.senior1care.com.
