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JACKSON – Careers in healthcare often come from life experiences that put people up close and personal with matters of life and death.

Tiffany Roberts and Al Brennan, both of Pearl and prospective students in programs offered at ��«Ӱҵ’ Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, see nursing school as chances to repay or improve on gifts of life.

“When I was 15, my brother had an accident and spent several months in an ICU,” said Roberts, a mother of three who’s ready to go back to school in the medical field. “I knew at that point in time, standing in his room, what I wanted to do.”

Brennan used to work behind the camera making television commercials. A series of medical experiences led to a switch to healthcare. Now, he’s a mental health technician has his sights set on a career of service in nursing.

“My grandmother had Alzheimer’s, then my son and I have been to an ER in the past, and I’ve been through bad experiences,” he said. “It was just the insensitivity in patient care that really got my attention. [tweetable alt=””]I’d want to be the type of nurse that would want to reach out and show compassion[/tweetable], work with doctors and help the patient.”

Both were among about 120 people who attended the 2016 Nursing and Allied Health Showcase Tuesday, Sept. 6 at NAHC.

Prospective students and others toured the campus’ learning labs, spoke with faculty, explored the college’s 13 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 ��«Ӱҵ 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 Information Technology, Health Care Assistant, Medical Assisting 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.

“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,” said Dr. Libby Mahaffey, dean of Nursing and Allied Health.

The program’s solid reputation brought Rachel Norton, of Clinton, back to earn additional credentials as she builds her career.

“I’m already graduate of ��«Ӱҵ,” Norton said. “I’ve come back to complete the Physical Therapy Assistant program.”

Alexis Vaughn, 16, of Brandon, has graduated a year early from high school and already has the energy to serve. She’s considering ��«Ӱҵ for the program’s successes and its proximity to home.

“Nursing is something I’ve always wanted to do because I like helping people and the impact nurses have on people’s lives,” Vaughn said.

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 .��