JACKSON 鈥 Kellie Griffin is a proud mother of three school-age children, but is ready to challenge herself for the next phase in life.
Kellie Griffin, 41, of Clinton, chats with 蜜桃影像 Radiology Technology student Allyson Sykes, of Vicksburg, during the spring 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 7 at 蜜桃影像 Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (蜜桃影像/April Garon)
鈥淢y husband completed his degree and the kids are still in school, but it鈥檚 just time for me to try to go ahead and get my degree,鈥 said Griffin, 41, of Clinton, who鈥檚 considering a career in healthcare after years of being a stay-at-home mom and working only part-time.
Griffin was among 150 prospective students, parents and others who attended the spring 2018 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 6 at 蜜桃影像 Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. She鈥檒l draw on her enthusiasm for learning to get her through school.
鈥淚鈥檓 just going to be excited to be able to say I鈥檝e graduated college,鈥 she said.
Held each semester at the Chadwick Drive complex, the event allows prospective students and others tour the campus鈥 learning labs, speak with faculty, explore the college鈥檚 12 health-related and two short-term programs and get the latest on requirements and deadlines.
Hannah Turney, 20, of Terry, views her hands through the fluorescent light of a Hand Washing Effectiveness System during the spring 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 7 at 蜜桃影像 Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (蜜桃影像/April Garon)
鈥淕uests spoke with our faculty one-on-one to learn about our programs of study and the promising careers in healthcare that 蜜桃影像 graduates obtain,鈥 said Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services.
Programs showcased included Associate Degree Nursing (RN), Dental Assisting Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Science, Health Care Assistant, Health Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Surgical Technology, and two short-term programs, Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy.
鈥淲e are excited to offer nursing and allied health programs that provide excellent employment opportunities for our students,鈥 said Nursing and Allied Health Dean Dr. Libby Mahaffey. 鈥淕raduates of our programs are employed at rates of 90 to 100 percent within a year of graduation and consistently meet national benchmarks for licensure/registry pass rates.鈥
Deidra Williams, left, of Jackson, views a coursework book with Health Information Technology instructor Michelle McGuffee during the spring 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held March 7 at 蜜桃影像 Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. (蜜桃影像/April Garon)
The event draws potential students across a wide spectrum of ages and professional experience. Hannah Turney鈥檚 experience growing up in a medical family is something she wants to impart on her patients in the future.
鈥淔or most people, a day in the hospital is the scariest day of their life,鈥 said Turney, 20, of Terry, a pre-nursing student at the Rankin Campus who hopes to start soon in the Associate Degree Nursing program.
鈥淏oth my parents are nurses, so hope to be a comfort to people since I鈥檝e grown up around hospitals,鈥 Turney said.
Deidra Williams, 21, of Jackson, has a degree in Veterinary Technology and is interested in another credential, in Health Information Technology.
鈥淚鈥檓 interested in a change to something different and help people in the process,鈥 Williams said.