JACKSON – Thoughts of advancing an already rewarding career in healthcare has Shadonna Lewis listening and learning from the experts at the fall 2017 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 5 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center.
Shadonna Lewis, from left, Jayla Walker and Rayanna Harden, all of Port Gibson, look on as pulmonary technician Jayla Hough explains the ins and outs of the Respiratory Care Technology lab at the fall 2017 Nursing Showcase on Sept. 5 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“I’m a certified nursing assistant at a hospital,” said Lewis, of Port Gibson, as she listened to students in the Respiratory Care Technology program demonstrate techniques and equipment. “But, I’m here trying to do something to help myself move up.”
Another in her position was Willie Thompson, of Jackson, also a CNA looking to add to her current credentials.
“I’ve always had a caring nature with my elderly patients,” Thompson said. “And it’s been in my family, too, as my mother was once a CNA and my sister is also in nursing.”
Lewis was among about 150 people who attended this fall’s event, which is held each semester at the Chadwick Drive complex. Prospective students and others toured the campus’ learning labs, spoke with faculty, explored the college’s 12 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 Hinds graduates obtain,” said Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services.
Willie Thompson, left, of Jackson, chats with Practical Nursing Instructor Patricia Collins at the fall 2017 Nursing Showcase on Sept. 5 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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.”
The program’s solid reputation also brought out recent high school graduates, such as Mary Barton Rogers and Bailey Weldon, both of Brandon.
“I’m interested in finding out about the RN program for now,” said Rogers, a graduate of Hartfield Academy.
Destiny Hudson, a second-year nursing student at Hinds Community College, chats with Mary Barton Rogers, right, of Brandon, in the Associate Degree Nursing lab at the fall 2017 Nursing Showcase on Sept. 5 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Rayanna Harden and her mother, Angela, both of Port Gibson, visited the showcase to find out about opportunities in the sonography program.
“I enjoy working with babies when they’re born,” Rayanna 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 http://www.hindscc.edu.
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Lekishi Davis, a second-year nursing student at Hinds Community College, demonstrates usage of a nasogastric tube on a cross-section model at the fall 2017 Nursing Showcase on Sept. 5 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Timothy Wilson, left, of Pearl, chats with Practical Nursing Instructor Patricia Collins at the fall 2017 Nursing Showcase on Sept. 5 at Hinds Community College Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
From left, Felicia Jones, a Single Stop site coordinator; Anna Jones, her daughter, both of Rolling Fork; and Kim Neely, Health Continuing Education Coordinator, at the fall 2017 Nursing Showcase at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center (Hinds Community College/April Garon)