Mid-Carolina AHEC Health Careers Students Learn through Hands-On Experience

The Mid-Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program is proud to announce its continued partnership with Midlands Technical College Department of Nursing and a new partnership with the South Carolina Office of Rural Health’s Workforce Program Manager Jessica Seel. This partnership recently enabled Mid-Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy (HCA) students from grades nine through twelve to learn more about nursing and preparing to enter the health professions.

Jessica Seel spoke to HCA students to help them prepare for seeking professional careers. She covered key tips for becoming a successful job seeker: establishing good first impressions, using social media appropriately, dressing professionally, and discussing prior job experience. She also worked with the students to understand the importance of professionalism, networking, and volunteering.

After speaking with Ms. Seel, students participated in interactive patient simulations with Chaunta Simmons, RN, from Midlands Technical College Health Sciences Department. During these simulations, students were able to practice the role of nurses in patient care. Nursing Department Chair Shirley Bannister, RN, helped students understand the nursing profession, scope of practice, and potential job responsibilities with an emphasis on the importance of effective communication and teamwork.

During the simulations, students not only learned about the profession of nursing but were able to work in small groups and perform as nurses do by taking care of their simulation “patient.”  Students completed a series of tasks common in day-to-day nursing practice such as patient assessment, foley catheter management, patient positioning, post-operative management, medication administration and safety, all while adorned with personal protective equipment (PPE). 

HCA student Tashauna M. discussed her key takeaways: "The presentation and skills lab were very enjoyable. The presenter was very knowledgeable and gave helpful tips about searching for a career. We learned how to check a pulse and how to properly roll a pregnant patient on her side! Although the task was difficult, the nursing instructors were extremely helpful." 

All of the students and Mid-Carolina AHEC would like to extend our greatest appreciation to the Midlands Technical College nursing coordinators and the South Carolina Office of Rural Health for making this program a success. Learn more about the Mid-Carolina Health Careers program at the Mid-Carolina AHEC website.