Career & Technical Students Selected to Nurse Mentorship Academy

Seven Allied Health students from the School of Career and Technical Education recently participated in an eight-week Nurse Mentorship Academy. The academy established by the Navigation Educational Opportunities in Nursing (NEON) grant project allowed students to explore the world of nursing.

Students were selected to participate in the program based on application, letters of recommendation, grades, essay, and interview. Participants received a lab coat, scrubs, and other supplies as part of the grant. The students met for two hours two days a week. The sessions included guest speakers, videos, and job shadowing. Typically, the students went to Northeast Mississippi Community College one day a week and Baptist Memorial Hospital – Union County one day a week.

“It’s a great opportunity for career development and it exposes the students to employment opportunities,” said April Voyles, Allied Health Instructor. She added that all of the students who participated in the academy plan to continue their education in a health care related field.

The students spent much of their time job shadowing in different areas of the hospital including the Emergency Room, Labor & Delivery, and Main Floor. Student Lara Chism said that she enjoyed the ER most of all. Anna Wommack added that she had the opportunity to watch a baby being born.

The second phase of the academy for the students will be this summer when they receive nurse assistant training for two weeks and prepare for the certification exam.

Students participating were Ana Moreno, Kaylee Baker, Anita Chen, Lara Chism, and Anna Wommack of New Albany High School; and Tiffany Gray and Haley West of East Union.


Lara Chism, Kaylee Baker, Ana Moreno; back row l-r: Tiffany Gray, Anna Wommack, Anita Chen; not pictured: Haley West.