It can be overwhelming to decide “what’s next” when it comes time to launch or change your career. That’s why we help educate people at critical junctures—such as when they’re preparing to graduate from high school or readying to retire from military service—about the benefits of working in health care and the myriad opportunities at Providence.

Why work in health care?

Many opt to work in health care because it can offer job security, flexible schedules, competitive earning potential and the ability to make a difference. Across the board, Providence caregivers tell us their jobs are incredibly rewarding, whether they contribute as a bedside nurse, a diagnostic imaging technologist, a patient services specialist or a programmer who helps enable the tools and technologies that serve a modern health organization like Providence.

Health care opportunities for students

Many students immediately think of a doctor or nurse when they hear “health care jobs.” But Providence has so many more career paths to offer. Says Providence Project Manager of Outreach & Recruitment Initiatives Marika Bertolini, who heads up an initiative to connect with middle and high schools in Olympia and Centralia, Washington, “We talk to students about clinical and nonclinical roles and what type of education is needed. Nine times out of ten, whatever they’re interested in, we have a role for that.”

Marika says kids are often surprised to find that there are roles for everything from chef to chaplain to coder to community liaison to housekeepers to security to engineer. To her, it’s about igniting their curiosity for different options, and letting them know what’s available since people are changing careers more than ever before. Says Marika, “Detours get us there. Life isn’t a straight line.”

Paid CNA training program

An extension of Marika’s school outreach is letting students know about training they may be able to take advantage of during or just after high school.

One such opportunity is the paid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program which allows a small group of students to acquire clinical training and experience, jumpstarting their nursing career at no cost.

Upon completion of the six-week program, the Clinical Student Interns can take the Nursing Assistant Certification test, which is paid for by Providence. Once successfully certified, they can be hired as Providence CNAs.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to be after I graduated,” says CNA Decembre Paige. “But then I heard about this opportunity. As soon as I turned 18, I started the program. You follow a CNA around for a while, you learn what you’re doing and get experience in the hospital. And now I’m independent, I’m considered a CNA to the floor.”

Decembre is continuing her schooling, taking health care related prerequisites to pursue either nursing or physical therapy, and loving her role as a CNA in the meantime. “I want to be in health care 100%,” she says. “I love it. I like meeting new people, hearing their stories and helping people out. And I love my co-workers.”

While some may not opt for 12-hour shifts, Decembre says they work for her lifestyle. “I would much rather do twelves because then I can live my life outside of work at the same time as working and going to school.”

Decembre says other young people considering going into health care need to stay focused on what matters. “You just do it for the people. You have to love taking care of people,” she says.

See nursing assistant and support roles.

Health care opportunities for retiring military personnel

Beyond high schools, Marika’s outreach extends to connecting with military personnel transitioning into civilian life with programs such as internships tailored to different skill sets facilitated by partnerships between Providence and local chambers of commerce.

Dani Miller is currently taking advantage of such a program. After 20 years in the Air Force, serving in Idaho, Germany and Alaska, Dani is preparing to retire and pursue a civilian career in the Olympia area.

“There are transition assistance programs, or TAPS, at the base through SkillBridge,” Dani says. “About a year ago I started going. Every Wednesday they do job hiring.” At one such event, Dani met Marika, who connected her with Providence caregivers who showed her a close look at many different career paths she could take.

Ultimately, Dani decided to pursue her nursing associate’s then bachelor’s degrees.

“I want to knock everything out right away,” Dani says. She’s not sure where she’ll specialize but says she’s passionate about palliative care and oncology.

See roles that could be relevant for those with military service.

Whether you’re a high school student exploring your options, a veteran seeking a new mission or someone looking to make a career change into health care, explore our open roles today.