Hinds CC a perfect place to take next step in healthcare careers

JACKSON – Ter’Bria Hopkins works in the healthcare field as a phlebotomist and wants to build on her credentials.

That desire is so great that she took her own photos during the fall 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 6 at Hinds Community College 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 Hinds 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.

“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.”