Caregiving comes easy to Alivia Barton, who attended the spring 2022 Nursing Allied Health Showcase March 10 with the next generation already with her.
“I’m expecting to give birth to a daughter later this year, so I’m coming to school either for RN or LPN to provide for her and my education,” said Barton, a Clinton native. “I’ve already volunteered in labor and delivery in a hospital setting.”
Barton was among visitors to the spring 2021 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held April 29 at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. The annual event has allowed prospective students to speak with faculty, explore the college’s 12 health-related and two short-term programs and get the latest on requirements and deadlines.
“Guests 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 health-related programs,” said Kathryn Cole, dean of Enrollment Services. “Now is the time to start a rewarding career in healthcare, and our community needs well-trained and caring professionals more than ever.”
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 Kathy Elliott. “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.”
Caring for the older generation of her family brought Tashelle Woods, 28, to the showcase as she looked for information on becoming a nurse.
“I came to Jackson from New York City to care of my grandmother,” Woods said. “I want to be a nurse and continue to care for people.”
Tashelle Woods, left, speaks with Kim Tyler and Anita Bell-Muhammad during the showcase.
The «Ӱҵ healthcare program’s stellar reputation regularly attracts students from all corners of Mississippi. Some, such as Brennon Rami, drove from Baton Rouge to check out the event, specifically the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
“I’ve been around physical therapy all my life, from playing football and track in high school,” said Rami, who comes from a family of healthcare workers, including his grandmother, who was a dean of nursing at Southern University. “I just searched around and found «Ӱҵ and like what I see.”
Brennon Rami picks up information from multiple tables at the showcase.
Jeremy Jenkins, of Brandon, attended to continue a gradual career change – in his case, from television camera work to being an insurance claims adjuster to, hopefully, a new life as a physical therapist.
“I’m also an MMA fighter, so I know about keeping in shape,” said Jenkins, who attended with his daughter, Ella Jane, 3. “I’m just trying to provide a good life for her and for me.”
Jeremy Jenkins, of Brandon, with his daughter, Ella Jane, chats with faculty in the Physical Therapist Assistant program.