When you think about healthcare careers, one of the first that comes to mind is nursing. But when a group of students from Jonesboro High School visited Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) on November 14, they learned there’s nursing, and much more, to consider.
“It’s rewarding for us to show students that yes, nursing is a great career, but there are other healthcare options that are just as fulfilling,” said Dr. Paula Gordon, interim dean of GGC’s School of Health Sciences. “We offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing and health science. Within health science, students can choose concentrations in public health or patient navigation.”
One of the newest pathways is patient navigation, and GGC is among the very few institutions in the country offering this degree. Patient navigators guide individuals through the healthcare system and help them access legal, financial and social support.
Jessica Poole, a healthcare science teacher at Jonesboro High School, arranged the tour months in advance.
“I brought a group of students last year,” she said. “What makes GGC’s tour so impactful is that students are exposed to what they would be doing in college in a hands-on environment. This is the best college tour.”
Poole’s youngest daughter is currently a GGC student studying business.
“She likes healthcare, but is interested in the business side,” Poole said. “She wants to work in a hospital environment.”
For senior Hajiratou Bah, the visit reaffirmed her career goals.
“I really enjoy helping people and the chance to make a difference in the world,” she said. “I’m really considering GGC because of how dedicated the teachers are and what I can learn here.”
Bah hopes to become a cardiovascular surgeon one day.
“I have cousins who are nurses and nurse practitioners, but I want to be the first doctor in my family,” she said.
During the tour, students had the chance to experience mobility challenges seniors often face, learn the proper way to put on personal protective equipment, swaddle newborns, and get a feel for the equipment and atmosphere of a hospital room.
“We want to give these students a taste of what it looks like to be a nurse or a patient navigator,” said Dr. Margaret Corvidae, assistant professor of health science and interim chair of the Health Sciences Department. “We design these tours so students have plenty of opportunities for interaction and can gain patient perspectives.”
For Theodore Massou, a GGC sophomore in pre-nursing and student ambassador, participating in the tour was inspiring.
“It’s great to see these students dip their toes into nursing and healthcare,” he said. “It’s inspiring to see these students experiencing joy, and it has given me the chance to see what I’ll be doing once I get into the nursing program.”
Massou said his interest in nursing began when he was just four years old.
“I had to have surgery, and I remember how nice and compassionate the nurse was with me,” he said.
He later dual-enrolled at GGC while in high school, which reinforced his interest in the field.
“Nursing involves a lot of science, which is another subject I like a lot,” he said. “I really enjoy the smaller class sizes because you can connect with your classmates and professors. The campus is beautiful, the professors are nice and there are a lot of resources here for students.”