Spoon River College hosted a group of Canton High Schools students on February 16 for a Healthcare Exploration Day that included a number of hands-on simulations with SRC nursing students giving instruction.
Melissa Miller, director of Allied Health, and Becky Sherwood, director of Nursing, welcomed the group and presented an overview of the healthcare programs offered at Spoon River College, which includes both certificate and degree programs in a number of health-care related areas.
“We wanted to give students real-world hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to learn about and then practice the types of job tasks that CNA’s, EMT’s, Nurses, MLT’s and Medical Assistants do on a daily basis,” said Miller.
Sherwood said that doing the event for a small group allowed students to have a better hands-on experience with the skills and tasks involved in healthcare. “Instead of just standing back and listening, students had the chance to handle ‘specimens’ and perform diagnostic testing, assisted with performing an EKG, administered injections into a fake arm, placed AED leads onto the simulator then provided CPR on our mannequin, obtained vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), and conducted well-baby checks with our SRC student experts.”
Miller hopes to expand the event to other high schools as well. “The students were engaged in learning about the different tasks and asked a lot of great questions.”
Sherwood agreed. “We look forward to reviewing the feedback we got from students so that we can improve and enhance the experience at similar events in the future.”
Healthcare degrees and certificates offered at Spoon River College include an Associate Degree in Nursing, a Practical Nurse certificate and a Nurse Assistant certificate. Associate in Applied Science degrees are also offered in Health Information Management and for Medical Laboratory Technician.
Visit www.src.edu to see more information, including the complete list of certificate programs that fall under Health Information Management.
