To help students narrow down their interests, HSHS hosts a healthcare bootcamp to expose high schoolers to the ins and outs of the field.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The healthcare field has dozens of different positions, ranging from anesthesiologist to phlebotomist to surgeon. Many high schoolers know they want to enter the healthcare field, but aren't sure what exactly they want to do.

To help students narrow down their interests, HSHS hosts a healthcare bootcamp to expose high schoolers to the ins and outs of the field. A select group of juniors and seniors gets to pick the different jobs they may be interested in and see what that job may look like. 

Lauren Jacoby is a senior at Glenwood High School. She chose to visit the PICU, NICU and the pharmacy. 

"I was able to see how the pharmacy works and how they do prescriptions and fill meds," Jacoby said. "Then I went to the OB, which is labor and delivery, and I was with the nurse." 

The hospital system took on the program as a way to spark interest in the healthcare field. It's a way for students to see a different perspective on what happens inside the hospital. 

"This is a really awesome opportunity to be able to go and see a few different areas and make a decision about which areas they want to see more of," said Alexis Williams, system director of professional development and clinical education for HSHS. "Being able to get that hands-on experience to see us take care of patients every day in the hospital can really awaken a calling." 

Another benefit for the students is a chance to talk to people working in the field about how they got their current job. They can learn about local training and licensing programs. 

"I wanted to find out more about each topic because I know I want to do healthcare, but I don't know what," said Mady Lowry, a senior at Glenwood High School. "I can talk to people that have an interest in it or have done it for years and years." 

HSHS hosts its healthcare bootcamp a few times each year. For more information, visit their website.

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