Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Ever want to observe a gastric bypass surgery, meet babies in the NICU or learn CPR with hands-on demonstrations? Area students got a glimpse into a career at HSHS St. John’s Hospital by participating in a recent High School Healthcare Bootcamp.
“It’s one thing to read about health care in a textbook or to see your parents leave for their shift at the hospital each morning, but seeing it in person brings the career to life. Many of these students will remember this experience for years to come,” said Ericka Mulroy, Nursing Professional Development Specialist for Hospital Sisters Health System. “These Healthcare Bootcamps give students interested in health care the opportunity to explore the many career options for them, speak with health care professionals and open the door to the field before they graduate high school.”
Students were able to choose three different departments to shadow, selecting from the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Emergency Department, Laboratory, Medical-Surgical Care Unit, Neurodiagnostic Technology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Orthopedics, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Prairie Cardiovascular, Respiratory Care, Radiology, Spiritual Care, Surgery, and Women and Infants.
The 17 students visited from Argenta-Oreana High School, Gillespie High School, Glenwood High School, Hillsboro High School, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Lanphier High School, Maroa Forsyth High School, Mount Pulaski High School, Nokomis High School, North Mac High School, Pleasant Plains High School, PORTA High School, Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, Springfield Southeast High School and Williamsville High School.
The St. John’s High School Healthcare Bootcamps are free thanks to generous funding from HSHS St. John’s Foundation.
Applications are closed for the two remaining bootcamps this summer, but additional camps will be held in the fall and winter. To stay up to date about new opportunities at St. John’s, follow the hospital on Facebook at @StJohnsSpringfield or find more student opportunities with HSHS by visiting https://www.hshs.org/for-medical-professionals/student-opportunities.
(Contributed news release)
