Fostering the next generation of home-grown health-care workers is at the heart of a successful volunteer and work experience partnership between staff at Lillooet Hospital & Health Centre and School District 74 (SD74).
Thanks to the collaboration, several local Lillooet students got a closer look into health care as a profession this year. So far, they like what they see, with two grade 12 students enrolled into post-secondary schools this fall to become registered nurses.
“It’s hopeful for health care,” says Megan Delf, a longtime health-care worker who oversees the program with Kim Halayko of SD 74.
“When we are facing human resources challenges on every front, whether it’s lab techs, physicians, nurses, housekeeping, the more we can embed students into the health-care field is another opportunity they may pick up on something they want to do.”
Megan says the program gives the students an opportunity to see and experience what life is like as a health-care provider.
“The team here is absolutely amazing at welcoming them and I think that’s what gets the buy in right away. They hook them into this second family at our local community hospital services and what you can get from being a part of that service in your own community, you can’t put a price on that.”
As a health-care worker in smaller community herself, Megan enjoys the challenge of thinking outside the box in a rural setting.
“I like the diversity of the work. I like being able to help people, and I like being able to make a difference in the community.”
Kim Halayko of Lillooet Secondary School has been connecting students with the hospital for many years and appreciates the partnership.
“The hospital and the whole community have always been amazing with taking on work experience students,” says Kim. “And Megan has been so supportive and easy to work with.”
Kim was excited to share that grade 12 students Chloe Falk and Isaac Harrison are going to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops and University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) for nursing this fall. Grade 11 student Karleen Alec is also thinking of a career in health care thanks to the work experience program.
Chloe Falk
Passionate about helping others, Chloe said she has always been interested in being a nurse and wants to learn the skills needed to make a real impact in health care.
“Nursing offers the perfect balance of science, care and connection, and I’m excited to start this journey where I can grow, challenge myself, and prepare to support people during some of the most important moments of their lives.”
Chloe said she enjoyed volunteering in the emergency department the most, adding she was impressed by skills of staff.
“I really enjoyed seeing how much they can do. It blew my mind how much they know.”
She said her plan is to move away for nursing school, but to come home to work.
“I really like the community, how small it is and how everybody is there for each other if you need anything – I think that’s my favourite part, that and the mountains and the lake.”
Isaac Harrison
Isaac Harrison volunteered at the hospital shadowing nurses from last October to early January to see how the nursing profession works and whether this career path was the right choice for him.
“Not only did I get my answer, but it was also a super valuable experience for me to see the inner workings of a hospital,” said Isaac.
“The high-paced environment of the hospital's emergency room, shadowing nurses that would talk me through their whole processes allowing me to understand it, and the welcoming environment were just some of the many benefits of my volunteering experience. It also directly bolstered my application to nursing school, having that volunteer experience in the hospital, showing I'm willing to learn and be eager.
"Not only did shadowing help me with my future academics, but it also gave me the idea to interview the same nurses I met volunteering for my capstone. All in all, it was an amazing opportunity for me and has helped me solidify my future studies in nursing.”
Isaac will be attending UBC Okanagan’s nursing school come September.
Karleen Alec
Currently finishing up Grade 11, Karleen Alec first became interested in health care after requiring surgery on her ankle due to a basketball injury last year. From there, she took part in the SD74 work experience program in the hospital.
“I wanted to take the opportunity, have the experience and see what they do in their jobs,” said Karleen.
“It was really interesting learning about all the responsibilities of staff and about medicines, and just meeting the patients.”
Karleen said she is considering a career a health care, hopefully at home, where she is drawn to Lillooet’s natural beauty and enjoys spending time with family.
The Lillooet program is an example of how educational partnerships can open doors for young people. Other IH and school partnerships include:
“As these students move forward with their schooling, many could continue to pursue their passion for health sciences and make a positive impact in their communities,” says Sarah Lauman, coordinator, External Partnerships, IH Recruitment.
We provide career exploration experiences for grade 10, 11 and 12 students, as well as high school and post-secondary students and community members. For questions about Career Exploration, email the recruitment team at CareerExploration@InteriorHealth.ca.
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