It's no secret the healthcare industry is experiencing explosive job growth with the increasing demand for health services. Technology seems to bring us into the future faster with each passing year, and with these advances come new methods of performing old tasks and new opportunities to fill roles that were inconceivable not so long ago.

Rapid technological advancement, the aging baby boomer population, climbing average life expectancy and increased preventive care coverage are only going to contribute to the exponential growth and demand for healthcare services in the future.

Many healthcare professionals can easily transition from one field to another with the right supplemental knowledge, training and advice. For example, with the expansive healthcare knowledge base that you gain in becoming a registered nurse, one can easily transfer those skills to a wide array of other healthcare-oriented positions later down the line.

However, while the field has many exciting options, such as travel nursing, holistic nursing, nursing informatics, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, there are several factors to consider before switching. The following tips offer some direction to hold the stress of searching for a position more suited to your individual goals or a job in a field that's more to your liking at bay:

Mapping your career landscape

Create a list of pros and cons highlighting each aspect of the position — what you enjoyed about it and what you really never want to do again, if it's avoidable. Ask yourself "why?" on each count, and you'll begin to understand not only your interests, but also your natural strengths and weaknesses.

Many find themselves in the wrong career because they don't bother considering these factors, and pursue a path that simply interests them. Now, it's definitely important that whatever you choose, you find interesting.

But most people want to find that career they are both interested in and can be successful in and enjoy. To do that, you need to play to your natural strengths.

Find your competitive advantage

Next, determine what you bring to the table. Find that special asset or key that makes you stand out against the crowd. What are you great at? People tend to be overly self-critical but know where their strengths lie. But if you don't, there's a pretty easy method for figuring it out:

• Consider the aspects of the career you're looking at and the responsibilities it entails.
• Try to match the duties of your career with situations you've experienced in the past. For example, one of the primary duties of a healthcare administrator is managing the hospital's staff and communicating effectively with coworkers. This would be a difficult position for someone who is uncomfortable with social situations and does not work well with people.
• List tasks you really enjoy doing, that others may think of as burdensome work. Do you love to build things or work with your hands? You probably love the technical side of things.

Review the above points and your direction should become much clearer.

This is the method I was taught while struggling with reassessing my future career, and I know a plethora of others who used the same or similar means to assess their own futures with success.

Create your target list

Create a list of all the hospitals and organizations that blend your passions with work. Keep a running list of these, and search for job openings within these facilities first.

Are you looking to work in a specific geographic area? Are you looking to leave the country? These are all parts of the equation when it comes to making a career change.

If you've got ties such as family or friends you want to be closer with in a specific area, you may want to limit your search to that area first. Sometimes, different areas are known predominately for their expertise in different healthcare fields.

Try to find out if the areas or hospitals you're considering specialize in the career you want to pursue, and if so, rank them higher than your others.

Research

Even thought this was mentioned before, it's an important aspect of the decision you're making and is worth delving deeper.

Before moving on with a certain field, do plenty of research before you make the switch. It is paramount to be well-informed of all the schooling, training and/or experience you will need to land a job in this new field — then you can determine whether it's a change you really want to make.

Are the qualifications within reach? What responsibilities must you maintain while you pursue your new career? How will you pay for any education, certifications and/or cost of living expenses while you pursue your dream job?

A tactical approach is absolutely critical to success when it comes to a career change in healthcare, and the more well-organized and planned your strategy is, the smoother the ride's going to be.

Online career profiles, salary information and growth trends can serve as a great starting point for your research.

Ask for help

The best and brightest individuals don't become the best nor the brightest by sitting idly by and expecting the answers to come to them. Ask lots of questions about your concerns, and then ask some more. Ask loved ones and those whom you respect — family, coworkers, friends, professors, pastors and mentors — what they think of your career goals.

However, keep in mind that some highly negative people may try to instill doubt. A negative outlook is a self-defeating prophecy, so take their opinions with a grain of salt. Instead, look for constructive criticism from people you can rely on to give you their unbiased opinion.

Go to market

Once you are sure the change is right for you, go into the market and make contacts. Set goals for yourself, and find the credentials, education or certifications you need to complete prior to applying to the position. Looking for local contacts who you can use to navigate the often-muddy waters before beginning can be a massive time-saver.

Find groups on social media (Facebook and LinkedIn mainly), and search for groups relating to your desired career path. Start conversations, ask questions and make some new friends in the field to gain invaluable resources, even if you can't meet them in person.

Local clubs, groups or conferences about or related to your career path can lead to the connections you truly need for success. Networking is critically important to career development, and gaining valuable contacts is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do while working to make a career transition.

Land on your feet

Whether your career change is big and bold or short and sweet, it takes time to adjust to a new job. Be patient and work hard; you will soon see success and reap the benefits of a career that's a much better fit for your natural talents.

Take time to yourself to decide whether you want to venture into another field because you are truly unhappy with the field, or more so with the hospital, clinic or organization in which you are currently working.