Opportunity? Helpful or Hurtful? Help Please!

[Sarah96]

I am a high school student in Vermont, and I need some help weighing out some decisions...

I am a sophomore considering a technical high school in my area. The course I'm interested in taking is called Allied Medical Services. Here is the some information that was given to me about the program:

"Embedded Credit: Science.

Leadership Club: Health Occupations Students of America.

College Course Option: River Valley Community College.

This course introduces students to medical careers available in today's high tech health facilities. Students work toward certification in Blood borne Pathogens, CPR, Basic First Aid, Pet First Aid, and Medical Terminology. Two Project Running Start courses, which are taught in conjunction with River Valley Community College, are Medical Terminology and Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care. These courses provide an option for earning college credit, while students are still attending high scohol. The content of this program is designed for all entry-level allied health careers with basic anatomy and physiology being taught during the senior year." -Taken directly from the info book I was given.

I would go to the tech. school for three periods out of the school day for this two-year course, and then come back to my home school for the other three, this way I could still take chemistry and my advanced math classes my junior and senior year. I'm getting mixed opinions about attending the school. Will this weigh me down or open doors?

A little more information about my steps in the direction of nursing.. I was in a program called "Daring To Care", with a series of classes before volunteering at my local hospital. Me and other DTC students volunteer in the nursing home, which is in the hospital, helping out with oddball jobs and engaging in activities with the patients and residents. After 60 hours of volunteer work, I can apply for a free or reduced cost Licensed Nursing Assistant course (only 40 more hours to go!) I also applied for a program called MedQuest, which lets me shadow nurses or other health care professionals to get an idea of what they do every day.

I am interested in colleges such as UVM, Norwich University, and Regis College in Massachusetts.

I know DTC and MedQuest will be good on applications, but I'm concerned on whether or not the tech. school will push me in the right direction or not. Will this program be helpful for my college options? I am visiting February 1st. Advice is greatly appreciated! :) Thank you!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Sarah,

If the 'tech prep' coursework does not interfere or prevent you from completing the other courses required for college-bound students, I say Go For It! All of the topics you described will certainly have bearing on any health care career.

You are very smart to take such concrete steps while still in high school, when the courses are free. If it possible to take any AP courses, you should do that also because these will enable you to CLEP out of some of the basic requirements & save your tuition dollars.

Best of luck to you! Keep us posted on your progress.

[jocelyn25]

I agree with the above statement as well. The medical terminology is also a great foundation for what you have in your future. It never hurts to get a headstart!

[Sarah96]

Thank you so much! I spoke to a senior in the program now, and she's having amazing luck with it. I will post back after my visit. Thanks again! :)

[Sarah96]

I went on the visit, and they did so much more than I thought! There's over twelve weeks of internship time, and if you turn eighteen (which I do) during the course, than you get to shadow at DHMC! Two of the girls there are interested in maternity, which is a consideration of mine, and were even allowed to sit in on live births through the program. :) My only concern at this point is figuring out how to accumulate all my credits that I need. I'm looking into independent study options for the summertime! Thanks for listening and guiding me a bit! :)

[jocelyn25]

Best wishes!