Rockford-area researchers help teens learn about careers in health care
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Area researchers develop a new online tool to get middle and high school students thinking about a career in health care and what path may be best for them.
It’s an app called Health Career Guide, and it’s the first of its kind. Students don’t have to pay a thing and can access the program through any browser on their phone, tablet or computer. They will explore more than 50 health career options – what the jobs would entail and what education is needed. The web application also uses a student’s interests to pair them up with a health career that could fit.
Hana Hinkle, PhD, MPH, is assistant dean for rural health professions and a research assistant professional at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She, along with OSF HealthCare’s Noël Adams, was a co-principal investigator on the project.
“We’re really equalizing the opportunities for students in any geographic location in our state or even nationally to figure out other careers that are maybe less traditional than doctor, nurse, or pharmacist,” Hinkle said.
The researchers hope to expand the number of careers featured in the web application and to provide more direct mentorship from health care professionals to students interested in particular careers.
The program comes at a critical time in the health care industry. Shortages of professionals can be felt across the country, and educators hope to get students interested as early as possible.
“We need to attract these students a lot earlier. We can’t wait until they are at the end of their high school career to go ‘Oh have you ever considered health care,” said Beth Carson, the nursing dean at Saint Anthony College of Nursing, “We want them to come into their college experience prepared and we want it to start much earlier.”