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work | Career Development |
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| November 18, 2008 |
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Learn on the Job
by Candice Wagener
Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Hospital
St. Mary's Hospital creates opportunities for its employees through School at Work, a career advancement program.
Starting (or finishing) your degree as an adult can be a rewarding career step. But it can also be a frustrating challenge. Where do you find the time to go back to school when you’re balancing a full-time job, personal obligations and family responsibilities? In response to these concerns, St. Mary’s Hospital created an internal educational program for its employees.
School at Work is a health care career advancement program, created for entry-level employees at St. Mary’s Hospital. The program includes two courses over an eight-month term. The first class is an “Introduction to Health Care” and covers basics such as math, grammar and résumé writing. The second, “Becoming a Health Care Professional,” delves into anatomy, physiology and medical terms. The hope is that employees with little or no college experience will gain confidence and be inspired to pursue further education.
In October, School at Work’s flagship class of thirteen students graduated from the program. Most of them plan to continue their education. “Now they have the confidence to go back to school; they know they can do this,” says Deirdre Hargrove-Krieghoff, director of St. Mary’s Hospital child-care center, and School at Work teacher. “That’s pretty powerful stuff!”
It’s not just the students who feel good about completing the program; their supervisors notice a difference as well. “There’s a lot of positive feedback, specifically from directors who have had students in program. They have seen them really blossom and grow,” comments Hargrove-Krieghoff. “They give back to their position in ways they never would have done before.”
Hargrove-Krieghoff and the School for Work team are currently recruiting for its second term, beginning in January 2009. She is excited about continuing the program. “It gives St. Mary’s the opportunity to grow positions much-needed, nursing being one.” she says. Fifty-four percent of this year’s graduating class is continuing school to earn their Registered Nurse degree.
“We’re hoping this is something that can last for a long time,” Hargrove-Krieghoff stresses. “Health care will continue to be a viable industry. To be able to grow these positions is important.”
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