JACKSON – The best examples of the rewards of a healthcare career can sometimes be found in one’s own family tree.
Lora Shoemaker, left, a second-semester student in the Associate Degree Nursing program at Hinds Community College, demonstrates equipment used in the ADN lab as Olivia Taylor, right, looks on during the spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase March 8 at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“My mother graduated from Hinds, in nursing, and my sister just graduated from here in Surgical Technology,” said Olivia Taylor, of Crystal Springs, checking out the college’s healthcare career offerings at the spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 8 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center.
“I want a career where I’m in a position to help people,” Taylor said.
Destiny Erving and her cousin, Joanne Jones, made the trip to the showcase from Holmes County to help Erving make the jump from high school to college – and in the process complete the process of being a first-generation college student.
“It will open a lot of opportunities by coming to school,” Erving said as she and Jones, a director of nursing at a long-term care facility, toured each program’s labs and spoke to faculty.
About 200 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.
Destiny Taylor, left, checks a manikin as nursing student Ebonie May looks on during the spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase March 8 at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“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.”
Each semester, the event is a showcase brings out healthcare professionals looking to build their credentials and pursue higher-paying jobs in the industry.
Varetta Gordon, right, goes over application information with Kimberly Neely, a continuing education coordinator at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center during the Spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase on March 8 at NAHC. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“I’m trying to move up the ladder from where I am in my career,” said Varetta Gordon, a certified nursing assistant from Canton.
Others, such as private music teacher Jasmine Keys, of Brandon, looked to switch careers and gather information on the programs NAHC has to offer.
“I’ve thought before about coming to Hinds to change careers,” Keys said. “I’m doing it because I’m happy to help people.”
Technical and associate degree programs at NAHC are nationally accredited by specialty accrediting organizations. The career programs meet state accreditation/approval guidelines. The Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center is at 1750 Chadwick Drive. For more information on individual programs, call 601.376.4807 or visit http://www.hindscc.edu.
Jasmine Keys, left, goes over admission requirements with Tiffany Johnson, a recruiter at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center during the Spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase on March 8 at NAHC. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Destiny Erving, center, chats with Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services at Hinds Community College, during the spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase March 8 at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. With Erving is her cousin, Joanne Jones, left. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)