Video: Baptist Memorial Hospital Gives Columbus Students Look into Medical Careers

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Despite changes in the industry, health care professionals are expected to be in demand for the next decade. This week, Baptist Golden Triangle hospital is offering some students a unique and early look at potential careers.

Students planning careers in the medical field are getting a once in a life time chance to learn from the pros.

“I’m still deciding between pre-med or pre-dentistry but it’s nice to actually get here to the hospital and see what doctors do,” says Malik Seals, a senior at Columbus High School.

This mock car accident gave students a chance to see what they’ll need to do to help save lives. They also learn about different career paths in nursing and paramedics.

“Paramedics are used a lot in the ERs especially in big cities. We actually use them here at Baptist in ER. Then they’re also used on helicopters,” says Baptist Memorial Paramedic, Will Appleby.

“I want to be a flight nurse in the Airforce or just a flight nurse period. I would settle for that,” says April Kennedy, a Nursing Extern at MUW.

Flight nurses and critical care paramedics are vital to determining the immediate needs of patients. With their advanced training, a helicopter becomes a mobile intensive care unit.

As health care technology grows, the demand for in-flight medical staff is on the rise. Students say being in the course gives them a glimpse of real-life situations.

“We learn a lot about what goes on in the hospital but being out here, it’s kind of interesting to know what happens to these patients before they get to us,” says Kennedy.

The annual crash course is a week-long program offered to students chosen by their schools.

According to US News & World Report, nursing is ranked #2 in the top 100 Best health care jobs. Being a dentist came in at #1.