As I continue to expand on how representation for women in the workplace has changed throughout history, I want to specifically focus on healthcare professions. In the year 1950, women only made up 6% of America’s medical workforce. However, women have continued to grow their place in the medical facilities, and “for the first time in history, 2017 saw more women entering medical school than men” (American Medical Association).
According to the United States Census, “The number of full-time, year-round workers in health care occupations has almost double since 2000, increasing from 5 million to 9 million workers… Women account for three-quarters of full-time, year-round healthcare workers today.”
Since the turn of the century, women have driven the extreme increase in health care positions that we see today. Not only are women representing more full-time healthcare positions, but they are also taking over more higher-paying occupations in healthcare. The wide range of earnings in healthcare is directly a result of one’s educational experience. Prior to 2000 when women were not as likely to attend higher-level education like graduate school or medical school, men were holding more higher-paying positions like physicians or surgeons. However, as of now, “women make up majority veterinarians and pharmacists, and have made strong gains, doubling their representation, in other occupations such as dentists and optometrists.” Additionally, the largest healthcare profession is registered nurses and women make up 85% of this occupation.
There are several reasons why the nation has seen such an increase in female representation in the healthcare field. According to a 2021 study by McKinsey & Company, women are better than men at things like: Providing emotional support to employees (19% of men and 31% of women); Intervening to prevent or deal with employee burnout (16% of men and 21% of women; Leading and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (7% of men and 11% of women). Not only are women seeing more representation in healthcare in general, but because of these traits they are also obtaining higher-level leadership roles.
Citations:
Jennifer Cheeseman Day and Cheridan Christnacht. “Women Hold 76% of All Health Care Jobs, Gaining in Higher-Paying Occupations.” Census.Gov, 28 Oct. 2021, www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/08/your-health-care-in-womens-hands.html.
“Women in Health Care Leadership: Past, Present and Future.” USC EMHA Online, healthadministrationdegree.usc.edu/blog/women-in-health-care-leadership. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
“Women’s History Month: Women in Medicine: Amn Healthcare.” Women’s History Month: Women in Medicine | AMN Healthcare, www.amnhealthcare.com/blog/physician/perm/women-in-medicine-a-timeline-of-15-pioneers-and-innovators/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20American%20Medical,entering%20medical%20school%20than%20men. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
I think this a great take and honestly it’s really nice to hear. I hope to work in the health care field eventually and have a few female members who currently/have worked in the field before. Sometimes they say it’s a challenge when colleagues don’t always take you seriously but I’m glad women are able to have more opportunities.
I really like your prospective and view about women in healthcare. One thing that I liked was you providing facts and numbers to back up your statement which is something I really like to base your post about. I have an aunt who works in the healthcare field of work and I feel like what you’ve said is really accurate towards herself and her work.