NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University hosted about 100 11th and 12th grade students from Lakeview High School and Natchitoches Central High School for the university’s sixth Healthcare Academic & Career Exploration (ACE) event Feb. 27.
Students in small groups learned about careers in radiologic technology, nursing, addiction counseling, pharmacy tech, social work, mental health, advanced paramedics and emergency medicine.
“So far, this year, we’ve helped over 400 high school students learn more about high-demand jobs in central Louisiana’s healthcare industry,” said Steve Gruesbeck, ACE executive director. “Earlier Healthhcare ACE events in the Fall and Spring were tailored for students from Avoyelles, Vernon, Catahoula, Allen, Rapides, Winn and Grant parishes.”
Students participated in interactive workshops led by faculty from NSU, Central Louisiana Technical and Community College and Pafford EMS Training program.
“Students learned more about what it would be like to work in high demand healthcare careers,” Gruesbeck said. “They learned about a variety of jobs, training for which can occur during high school or immediately afterwards via abbreviated certificate programs, associate degree programs and bachelor degree programs.”
The project is funded by a Future of HealthC.A.R.E. Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation, which seeks to increase the number of qualified central Louisiana students enrolling in healthcare training programs or entering the healthcare workforce.