Job, Career, or Calling? How Your Perspective Shapes Your Healthcare Journey

"Work is love made visible." – Kahlil Gibran

Let's Start With This Question:

Do you see your work in healthcare or emergency services as a job, a career, or a calling? This question might seem simple at first, but the answer can profoundly shape your daily experiences and long-term satisfaction in the field. Healthcare is a profession defined by its complexity, high stakes, and deeply human connections. It’s also a space where your perspective about what you do—whether you view it as a means to an end, a step in a broader journey, or a mission—can influence not just your performance but also your sense of purpose.

The way you define your work has far-reaching implications. Research shows that professionals who see their work as a calling often experience greater satisfaction and resilience, while those who view it as just a job may struggle with disengagement or burnout (Bunderson & Thompson, 2009). A “career” perspective, on the other hand, brings its own unique set of motivations and challenges, often tied to advancement and personal growth. These differences in perspective affect not only how you approach your tasks but also your interactions with patients and families, your ability to collaborate with colleagues, your productivity, and even your self-esteem.

This article explores how your perspective shapes five critical areas of your professional life: patient interactions, teamwork, productivity, self-worth, and overall experience in the field. By understanding the unique impact of each viewpoint—job, career, or calling—you can better align your mindset with your values and goals, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and effective professional journey.

Interactions with Patients and Families

The way you view your work in healthcare or emergency services has a profound impact on your interactions with patients and their families. If you see your role as merely a job—a set of tasks to complete in exchange for a paycheck—your focus might lean heavily on efficiency. While efficiency is critical in high-pressure environments, a task-oriented mindset can sometimes result in rushed or transactional interactions, leaving patients feeling unheard or undervalued.

On the other hand, if you view your work as a career, your interactions may take on a more strategic quality. For example, you might invest in building relationships with patients and families to establish a positive reputation or achieve professional recognition. This approach can lead to stronger connections but may sometimes feel driven by personal ambition rather than genuine compassion.

However, when healthcare is seen as a calling, interactions with patients and families often reflect a deep sense of purpose. Caregivers who embrace their work as a calling tend to approach each interaction with empathy and dedication, focusing on the human stories behind the medical charts. They see the dignity in every patient, regardless of the challenges involved, and make meaningful communication a priority. This mindset fosters trust and a sense of safety for patients and families, which can significantly improve their overall healthcare experience.

Research supports the power of compassionate communication in healthcare. The American Academy of Family Physicians (2017) emphasizes that patient-centered communication—marked by empathy, active listening, and collaboration—leads to better health outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. Furthermore, caregivers who integrate this approach often report feeling more fulfilled and connected to their work, reducing the likelihood of burnout (Swensen, Kabcenell, & Shanafelt, 2016).

Ultimately, the way you perceive your work shapes the quality of care you provide. Whether it’s ensuring that a family feels supported during a difficult decision or taking the time to explain a treatment plan in a way that empowers patients, your perspective determines how deeply you engage with those who rely on your expertise and compassion. By reflecting on how you approach your role—whether as a job, career, or calling—you can begin to align your interactions with the values that matter most to you and your patients.

Teamwork

The perspective you hold about your work—whether as a job, career, or calling—also significantly influences how you interact with your colleagues. Teamwork is the backbone of healthcare and emergency services. Success in these fields depends on seamless collaboration among professionals who must often make split-second decisions under intense pressure. Yet the way you view your role can shape your contribution to the team dynamic in profound ways.

When healthcare is seen as just a job, teamwork may be limited to the bare minimum needed to get through the day. Viewing colleagues as coworkers rather than collaborators can create an atmosphere of isolation or disengagement, potentially leading to miscommunication or missed opportunities for innovation. This approach often focuses on individual tasks rather than shared goals, which can undermine the collective effectiveness of the team.

A career-oriented perspective brings a different energy to teamwork. Professionals who see their work as a career often prioritize building strong professional networks and leveraging collaborative efforts to achieve long-term goals. This focus on advancement can foster mutual support and skill-sharing within the team. However, it may also lead to competitive tensions if individual aspirations overshadow the team’s shared mission.

In contrast, when healthcare is viewed as a calling, teamwork transforms into a partnership rooted in shared purpose. Colleagues are seen as allies in delivering the best possible care to patients. This mindset encourages open communication, trust, and a willingness to support one another, even in the most challenging circumstances. A team united by a shared sense of mission is not only more cohesive but also better equipped to handle the emotional and practical demands of healthcare work.

Research underscores the importance of strong teamwork in healthcare. The National Academy of Medicine highlights that effective team-based care is built on shared goals, mutual trust, and clear communication. Teams that embrace these principles deliver better patient outcomes and report higher job satisfaction (Mitchell et al., 2012). Furthermore, a collaborative team environment has been shown to reduce stress and improve resilience among healthcare workers, which is essential in high-stakes settings like emergency departments (Swensen et al., 2016).

Your perspective on your work influences whether you view your teammates as coworkers, competitors, or collaborators in a shared mission. By embracing a mindset that prioritizes mutual respect and a common purpose, you can not only strengthen your team’s effectiveness but also find greater meaning and connection in your daily work. Reflecting on your approach to teamwork and aligning it with your values can lead to a more fulfilling professional experience for you and those around you.

Productivity

Your perspective on your work—whether you see it as a job, a career, or a calling—plays a crucial role in shaping your productivity. Healthcare and emergency services are demanding fields where efficiency, accuracy, and consistent effort are essential for success. Yet, the motivation driving your productivity can vary widely depending on how you perceive your role.

When healthcare is seen as a job, productivity often becomes tied to external motivators like paychecks, performance evaluations, or simply completing a shift. While these motivators can drive short-term effort, they may lead to a transactional approach to work, where the focus is on doing the minimum required to meet expectations. This mindset can result in disengagement over time, especially in high-stress environments where the demands feel relentless and detached from personal fulfillment.

For those who see healthcare as a career, productivity is often linked to professional growth and achieving long-term goals. This perspective encourages continuous learning and skill-building as individuals strive to enhance their expertise and reputation. While this can lead to high levels of effort and accomplishment, it may also introduce stress, as productivity becomes closely tied to personal advancement and external validation.

Viewing healthcare as a calling, however, often brings an intrinsic motivation that fuels consistent and meaningful productivity. When you see your work as a mission, your efforts are driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of patients and the broader community. This mindset not only inspires dedication but also fosters a sense of purpose that sustains you through challenging moments. Productivity, in this case, becomes less about checking off tasks and more about achieving meaningful outcomes.

Research highlights the relationship between perspective and productivity in healthcare. Bunderson and Thompson (2009) found that professionals who view their work as a calling are more likely to engage deeply in their roles, often going above and beyond what is required. This intrinsic motivation translates into higher-quality care, improved patient outcomes, and greater personal satisfaction. Additionally, aligning work with a sense of purpose has been shown to reduce burnout, allowing individuals to maintain productivity even in demanding environments (Swensen et al., 2016).

Productivity in healthcare is not just about how much you accomplish but about the quality and intention behind your efforts. Whether you are motivated by external rewards, personal growth, or a deeper purpose, reflecting on your perspective can help you align your efforts with your values. By finding meaning in what you do, you can sustain both your productivity and your passion, creating a positive impact on your patients and your professional journey.

Self-Worth and Self-Esteem

How you perceive your work—as a job, a career, or a calling—can profoundly influence your sense of self-worth and self-esteem. In healthcare and emergency services, where the stakes are high and emotions run deep, the way you define your role often determines how you navigate successes, setbacks, and everything in between.

When healthcare is seen as just a job, self-worth is often tied to external rewards like paychecks, performance reviews, or accolades. While these rewards are important, they may not provide the deeper sense of validation that comes from meaningful work. This perspective can leave individuals feeling undervalued, especially when challenges arise or recognition is lacking. Over time, the disconnect between daily tasks and a greater purpose may erode confidence and contribute to burnout.

Viewing your work as a career can add a layer of identity and ambition to your sense of self-worth. Career-focused individuals often derive self-esteem from their accomplishments, professional growth, and recognition from peers or leaders. While this perspective can foster pride and motivation, it may also create vulnerability to stress if progress slows or setbacks occur. Self-worth tied closely to achievements can be shaken by challenges like missed promotions or criticism.

For those who see healthcare as a calling, self-worth often stems from a deep alignment with their purpose. This perspective provides a sense of intrinsic value that is not solely reliant on external validation. When you view your work as a mission to help others, even difficult days can feel meaningful. This mindset fosters resilience and a steady sense of self-esteem, as the focus shifts from what you achieve to the difference you make. However, it is important to maintain balance, as an overidentification with your work can lead to compassion fatigue if boundaries are not respected.

Research supports the connection between perspective and self-worth. Duffy et al. (2012) found that individuals who view their work as a calling report higher life satisfaction and self-esteem. This sense of purpose provides a buffer against stress and helps individuals see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Additionally, professionals with a calling mindset are more likely to find fulfillment in their roles, which reinforces their confidence and emotional well-being (Bunderson & Thompson, 2009).

Your perspective on your work shapes not only how you see yourself but also how you respond to the ups and downs of your professional journey. Reflecting on what drives your sense of worth can help you build a healthier and more sustainable relationship with your role. By aligning your self-esteem with your values and purpose, you can create a foundation of resilience and confidence that sustains you, even in the most challenging times.

Professional Experience

The lens through which you view your work—as a job, career, or calling—has a profound effect on your overall professional experience. In the demanding world of healthcare and emergency services, where the pace is relentless and the stakes are high, how you define your work can shape not only your satisfaction but also the trajectory of your career and the legacy you leave behind.

When healthcare is seen as just a job, the professional experience often feels transactional. It becomes a routine of fulfilling duties and meeting basic expectations, with little personal connection to the work itself. While this perspective can help maintain emotional distance in high-stress environments, it can also lead to disengagement over time. The result is often a sense of stagnation, where work feels more like a necessary obligation than an opportunity for growth or fulfillment.

Viewing healthcare as a career adds depth and ambition to the professional experience. Individuals with this perspective tend to approach their work with a focus on advancement, skill-building, and achieving milestones. This drive often leads to opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and specialization, enriching the professional journey. However, the pressure to achieve can sometimes overshadow the joy of the work itself, creating stress or dissatisfaction when progress stalls.

For those who see healthcare as a calling, the professional experience is deeply intertwined with personal fulfillment. Every task, no matter how routine, carries meaning because it contributes to a larger mission of serving others. This sense of purpose can sustain individuals through the most difficult moments, creating a career marked by resilience, compassion, and a legacy of positive impact. However, it is essential to balance this passion with self-care to avoid burnout or overidentification with work.

Research highlights the significant role perspective plays in shaping professional satisfaction. Swensen et al. (2016) found that healthcare professionals who align their work with a sense of purpose report greater fulfillment and are less likely to experience burnout. Similarly, Bunderson and Thompson (2009) noted that individuals who view their work as a calling describe their careers as lifelong journeys filled with growth, meaning, and a sense of contribution. These professionals often reflect on their careers with pride, recognizing the deep impact they’ve had on patients, families, and colleagues.

Your professional experience is not just shaped by the tasks you perform but by how you interpret and engage with them. Whether you see your work as a job, career, or calling, reflecting on your perspective can help you align your actions with your values. By finding meaning in what you do and embracing the opportunities for growth and connection, you can create a professional journey that is both impactful and fulfilling.

Here's the Thing:

Your perspective on your work—as a job, career, or calling—does more than influence your day-to-day responsibilities. It shapes your interactions with patients, your ability to collaborate with colleagues, your productivity, your self-esteem, and your overall professional experience. In healthcare and emergency services, where every decision and action carries weight, the way you define your work can be the difference between feeling drained by challenges or energized by purpose.

If you view your work as a job, consider how small shifts in perspective might help you find deeper meaning in your daily tasks. For those who see healthcare as a career, reflecting on the purpose behind your goals can balance ambition with fulfillment. And if you view your work as a calling, remember that even the most passionate professionals need boundaries to sustain their well-being.

Ultimately, the key is to align your perspective with your values and aspirations. By doing so, you can transform the challenges of healthcare into opportunities for growth and meaning. Whether through a patient’s smile, a supportive conversation with a colleague, or the quiet satisfaction of knowing you made a difference, the rewards of your work extend far beyond the tasks themselves.

As Bunderson and Thompson (2009) remind us, work viewed as a calling provides a sense of purpose that enriches every aspect of professional life. By choosing to see your work in a way that aligns with your values, you can not only thrive in your role but also inspire others to do the same. In a field as demanding and essential as healthcare, this perspective doesn’t just benefit you—it uplifts the patients, families, and colleagues who rely on your strength, skill, and compassion.

As a coach and consultant to organizations and teams, I know how difficult it can be to maintain your footing when “life” gets in the way. I write weekly on LinkedIn about Personal Development and Culture. I’d love it if you followed my newsletter by hitting the subscribe button above. Thanks for reading!

References

Bunderson, J. S., & Thompson, J. A. (2009). The call of the wild: Zookeepers, callings, and the double-edged sword of deeply meaningful work. Administrative Science Quarterly, 54(1), 32–57. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.32

Duffy, R. D., Allan, B. A., Autin, K. L., & Bott, E. M. (2012). Calling and life satisfaction among undergraduate students: Investigating mediators and moderators. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(1), 50–59. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026129

Mitchell, P., Wynia, M., Golden, R., McNellis, B., Okun, S., Webb, C. E., Rohrbach, V., & Von Kohorn, I. (2012). Core principles & values of effective team-based health care. National Academy of Medicine. Retrieved from https://nam.edu

Swensen, S., Kabcenell, A., & Shanafelt, T. (2016). Physician-organization collaboration reduces physician burnout and promotes engagement: The Mayo Clinic experience. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 91(11), 1571–1583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.08.020

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