Octavia Curtis showed up at the fall 2021 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 23 with her goals already set.
鈥淚鈥檓 taking classes here toward getting my RN degree because I see the need for diversity in the field,鈥 said Curtis, of Byram. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about the love for giving back and helping people.鈥
鈥淕uests visited outdoor booths to speak with faculty and staff about our programs of study and also took tours of classrooms and labs to learn about our 15 health-related programs,鈥 said Kathryn Cole, dean of Enrollment Services. 鈥淣ow is the time to start a rewarding career in healthcare, and our community needs well-trained and caring professionals more than ever.鈥
Programs showcased included Associate Degree Nursing (RN), Dental Assisting Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Science, Health Care Assistant, Health Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Surgical Technology, and two short-term programs, Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy.
鈥淲e are excited to offer nursing and allied health programs that provide excellent employment opportunities for our students,鈥 said Nursing and Allied Health Dean Kathy Elliott. 鈥淕raduates of our programs are employed at rates of 90 to 100 percent within a year of graduation and consistently meet national benchmarks for licensure/registry pass rates.鈥
The Hinds healthcare program鈥檚 stellar reputation regularly attracts students from all corners of Mississippi. Some, such as Kendall Sullivan, of Liberty, drove nearly two hours to check out the event.
鈥淚 literally just woke up one day and said healthcare is what I want to get into,鈥 said Sullivan, 26, a mother of one currently working in banking in her Amite County hometown. 鈥淚 want to go into pediatric medicine.鈥
Kendall Sullivan (right) attending the Nursing/Allied Health Showcase.聽聽