From Service to Healthcare: Turning Military Experience into a Fulfilling Career
For veterans looking for the next career step after military service, healthcare could be the most rewarding path for you. According to researchers from the University of Washington, the healthcare industry is a promising career option for transitioning veterans.¹
This is because healthcare has many job openings, especially in entry-level roles that don’t require a college degree. It's one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., with hospitals and medical insurance leading in revenue.² In fact, the federal government employs more people in health-related jobs than in any other field.³
Moreover, veterans have a strong advantage in healthcare because of prior medical and military experience. You already have the skills and qualities—like discipline, resilience, and a commitment to service—that healthcare employers value.
Nonetheless, changing careers isn’t always easy. Even with your strengths, job market competition and hiring processes can complicate the transition.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. This guide will show you how your military background gives you a strong advantage—and what you can do next to make the most of it.
Why Military Personnel Make Great Healthcare Professionals
Many veterans are concerned about not having the proper training to enter a healthcare career. However, the skills and experience gained through service can be more relevant than often thought.
Passion for Service
Transitioning from the military to healthcare is smooth because both fields are service-oriented. The biggest difference is how they help people—one through national defense, the other through patient care.
Veterans already possess a strong sense of purpose, making them well-suited for healthcare roles like primary care and mental health counseling, where commitment and emotional resilience are essential. Their personal experience with challenging situations allows them to offer compassionate and effective care.
Knowledge of Real-Life Situations That Affect Healthcare Needs
Many veterans have firsthand experience with injuries, trauma, and high-stress situations, which can help them better understand what some patients are going through. This real-world experience can add valuable insight to the care they provide.
This is especially true in mental health care, where veterans can offer unique strengths, such as a deeper understanding of combat-related trauma and military culture. In fact, a 2018 study by the National Academy of Sciences found that many veteran patients "preferred receiving mental health services from providers with experience in the military culture."⁴
Experience Working Under Pressure
Staying calm in stressful situations is crucial in the military and healthcare. This is necessary in high-pressure fields like emergency medicine, ICU nursing, paramedic services, and trauma care.
Mistakes in military training or deployment can be dangerous. Like doctors and nurses, veterans are trained to think quickly and follow the rules carefully, making them adaptable in medical situations that demand life-or-death decisions.
Superior Communication and Teamwork Skills
Other crucial traits in military situations include strong communication and teamwork. Veterans can bring these skills to healthcare, where doctors, nurses, and staff must work seamlessly to provide medical care effectively.
Military personnel work well with various people, making them suitable for all kinds of healthcare teams. They also know the gravity of following the chain of command, which is crucial in following medical procedures.
How to Successfully Transition from Military Service to Healthcare Work
Here are some actionable recommendations to help make your transition into healthcare more seamless.
1. Choose Your Ideal Career Path
Before making the shift, decide what type of healthcare role and institution fits you best. Do you aim to work in patient care, administration, mental health, or medical technology? Are you interested in a more relaxed role, such as medical assistance? Are you looking to advance to higher positions, like a nurse manager or healthcare administrator?
Once you know the career path that suits you, it becomes easier to tailor your job applications. You’ll have a clearer idea of which skills to highlight and how your experience fits the role. As you leverage your military career, your chances of getting hired increase.
2. Target Federal Agencies
Some veterans prefer civilian careers, while others find most compatibility with federal healthcare agencies. This is because many government institutions focus on veteran care and underserved communities, which aligns with their service-oriented mindset.
Another reason is that places like the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals prioritize hiring veterans using transition assistance programs.
If you’re still aiming for a private career, federal healthcare work can help you out. Since it's easier to land a job in government as a veteran, it can serve as a steppingstone toward your main goal.
For maximum compatibility and higher chances of success, start with USAJOBs, the official site for federal jobs. Check government websites like VA Careers, where veterans can work directly with fellow service members.
3. Adjust Your Resume for Healthcare Jobs
Military job titles and work might not always match directly with healthcare roles. It's important to properly translate military experiences into the best application format.
First, convert military jargon into civilian terms. For example, instead of using specific military titles like "Squad Leader," you could say "Team Leader" or "Supervisor" to make your experience clearer to hiring managers.
Another technique is to use the language of the employers themselves. You can use common healthcare terms and keywords from job descriptions to ensure that your resume resonates with them.
Veterans should also leverage their "transferable skills" from their military experience. Leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills are crucial in healthcare roles. By highlighting these skills and giving examples, you can showcase how your military background applies to healthcare positions, even if the job titles differ.
4. Get Certified
Certifications are accredited documents that show you have the skills and knowledge for a specific healthcare job. Many healthcare facilities require them for certain positions, making them crucial in healthcare job search success.
Getting certified usually involves completing a training program, passing an exam, and gaining hands-on experience.
Here are some examples of certifications you can explore:
Nurse Practitioner (NP). This certification shows that a nurse has advanced training in providing primary and specialty care to patients.
Medical Technologist (MT). MTs run lab tests and analyze results to help doctors in diagnosis.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN). Nurses with this certification specialize in emergency care, helping patients in urgent or life-threatening situations.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This certification is for social workers who provide counseling and therapy to people with mental health challenges.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This certification is usually required when administering anesthesia to patients before surgeries and other medical procedures.
5. Leverage Government Resources for Veterans
The government offers many helpful resources for veterans looking to transition to healthcare. These programs typically provide education, training, and job placement support. Here are some examples:
GI Bill Education Benefits. The GI Bill helps veterans pay for education and training needed for healthcare careers. It usually covers tuition, books, and living expenses while they complete their programs.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). The VR&E program by VA assists veterans with disabilities in transitioning to civilian jobs through career counseling, job training, and getting certifications.
SkillBridge Program. This DoD project offers veterans the chance to gain civilian work experience during their last 180 days of service. Veterans can intern or apprentice with healthcare employers to learn on the job.
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). This Department of Labor program offers job training, career counseling, and access to healthcare job opportunities.
6. Connect with a Staffing Firm
Staffing firms are built to help candidates from all backgrounds get ahead of job market competition through personalized employment support. This includes optimizing resumes and cover letters, interview preparations, and connecting with employers actively looking for a good hiring match. They also usually have insider knowledge about job openings that aren't always listed publicly.
Staffing firms usually have specializations, such as specific industries or types of jobs. For veterans looking to transition to healthcare, it's best to find a firm that specializes in healthcare and has experience working with veterans. They can seamlessly connect you with job opportunities in VA hospitals or military healthcare settings.
Shift to a healthcare career with Matrix Providers.
Matrix Providers is here to help veterans like you transition smoothly into federal healthcare roles. We offer personalized support by assessing your case and leveraging your military skills and strengths.
With us, you receive a wide range of services, from resume adjustments to certification guidance, connecting you with top opportunities in military medical care. Whether it’s a nursing role or a mental health practice, we have the expertise to help you.
Check our job offers and contact us today to start your career in federal healthcare.
References:
Snyder, Cyndy R., et al. Pathways for Military Veterans to Enter Healthcare Careers. Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington, May 2016, depts.washington.edu/fammed/chws/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/05/Pathways_for_Military_Veterans_FR_2016_May_Snyder.pdf.
"Biggest Industries by Revenue in the US." IBISWorld, www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry-trends/biggest-industries-by-revenue/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
DeSilver, Drew. "What the Data Says About Federal Workers." Pew Research Center, 7 Jan. 2025, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/07/what-the-data-says-about-federal-workers/.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Patient-Centered Care and the Veteran Experience. National Academies Press, 2018. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499505/.