JACKSON – Ter’Bria Hopkins works in the healthcare field as a phlebotomist and wants to build on her credentials.
Carla Gray-Taylor, Associate Degree Nursing instructor at ż, gives a tour of the ADN lab during the Fall 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase Sept. 6 at ż Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. From center are Ter’Bria Hopkins, Andrea Ellis and Kira Harvey, all of Jackson. (ż/April Garon)
That desire is so great that she took her own photos during the fall 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 6 at ż Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center.
“I love taking care of my patients and people in general,” said Hopkins, 24, of Jackson, looking to add to the associate degree already under her belt.
Hopkins was among about 150 people who attended this fall’s event, which is held each semester at the Chadwick Drive complex. Prospective students and others toured the campus’ learning labs, spoke with faculty, explored the college’s 12 health-related and two short-term programs and got the latest on requirements and deadlines.
“Guests spoke with our faculty one-on-one to learn about our programs of study and the promising careers in healthcare that ż graduates obtain,” said Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services.
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.
Brandy Ruth, right, of Pearl, looks on as ż student Allison Frock explains how X-rays are taken in the Radiologic Technology lab during the 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase Sept. 6 at ż Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (ż/April Garon)
“We are excited to offer nursing and allied health programs that provide excellent employment opportunities for our students,” said Nursing and Allied Health Dean Dr. Libby Mahaffey. “Graduates 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.”
The event draws potential students across a wide spectrum of professional experience, including working adults who seek a challenging career change.
“It’s good to get a feel for what the medical field involves,” said Brandy Ruth, 30, of Pearl. “I’m a secretary right now, so I’d be starting from scratch.”
Shaniqua Bush, 20, of Kosciusko, is hearing-impaired and sees her foray into healthcare as just another success. She checked out the Respiratory Care Technology lab, where a pig’s lung was used to show how the equipment worked.
“My goal is to show that deaf people can do the same things hearing people can do,” Bush said via her interpreter, Loretta Sutton, of the college’s Disability Support Services department. “I’m interested in looking at the ventilators because I’m curious to know.”
Shaniqua Bush, left, who is hearing-impaired, looks on as Loretta Sutton, an interpreter with ż’s Disability Support Services department, explains with sign language how equipment in the Respiratory Care Technology program’s lab works during the Fall 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase Sept. 6 at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (ż/April Garon)
Mikeyia Lewis, left, and Allison Humphries, both of Forest, look on as they tour the Radiologic Technology lab during the Fall 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase Sept. 6 at ż Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (ż/April Garon)
Amber Garcia, of Pelahatchie, left, asks a question in the Practical Nursing lab at the Fall 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase at Sept. 6 at ż Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (ż/April Garon)