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JACKSON – Kellie Griffin is a proud mother of three school-age children, but is ready to challenge herself for the next phase in life.

Kellie Griffin, 41, of Clinton, chats with ��«Ӱҵ Radiology Technology student Allyson Sykes, of Vicksburg, during the spring 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 7 at ��«Ӱҵ Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (��«Ӱҵ/April Garon)

“My husband completed his degree and the kids are still in school, but it’s just time for me to try to go ahead and get my degree,” said Griffin, 41, of Clinton, who’s considering a career in healthcare after years of being a stay-at-home mom and working only part-time.

Griffin was among 150 prospective students, parents and others who attended the spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 6 at ��«Ӱҵ Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. She’ll draw on her enthusiasm for learning to get her through school.

“I’m just going to be excited to be able to say I’ve graduated college,” she said.

Held each semester at the Chadwick Drive complex, the event allows prospective students and others tour the campus’ learning labs, speak with faculty, explore the college’s 12 health-related and two short-term programs and get the latest on requirements and deadlines.

Hannah Turney, 20, of Terry, views her hands through the fluorescent light of a Hand Washing Effectiveness System during the spring 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 7 at ��«Ӱҵ Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (��«Ӱҵ/April Garon)

“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 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.”

Deidra Williams, left, of Jackson, views a coursework book with Health Information Technology instructor Michelle McGuffee during the spring 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 7 at ��«Ӱҵ Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (��«Ӱҵ/April Garon)

The event draws potential students across a wide spectrum of ages and professional experience. Hannah Turney’s experience growing up in a medical family is something she wants to impart on her patients in the future.

“For most people, a day in the hospital is the scariest day of their life,” said Turney, 20, of Terry, a pre-nursing student at the Rankin Campus who hopes to start soon in the Associate Degree Nursing program.

“Both my parents are nurses, so hope to be a comfort to people since I’ve grown up around hospitals,” Turney said.

Deidra Williams, 21, of Jackson, has a degree in Veterinary Technology and is interested in another credential, in Health Information Technology.

“I’m interested in a change to something different and help people in the process,” Williams said.