A future in healthcare, closer to home
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) has recently expanded its Health Inspirations programs for high school students to Lithgow and the Blue Mountains, this year providing almost 100 Year 10 students with firsthand exposure to careers in healthcare from Penrith to the Seven Valleys.
For the second year running, Health Inspirations programs were delivered at Lithgow and Blue Mountains hospitals, alongside three programs at Nepean Hospital in Penrith.
Delivering the program across multiple sites ensures students from different parts of the district can access valuable career experiences within their own communities.
“The program follows a similar schedule across each hospital,” says Lee Velandia, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Workforce Strategy and Culture at NBMLHD.
“Students visit a range of clinical areas, and they also participate in classroom-based workshops covering topics such as mental health and infection prevention and control,” Lee explains.
For staff at Blue Mountains Hospital, the program is an important opportunity to connect with local students and inspire future healthcare careers.
“We really value Health Inspirations here at Blue Mountains Hospital,” says Nurse Educator David Corden.
“It’s a wonderful program that provides an opportunity for our staff to deliver interactive sessions for local high school students who are part of our community. They are also our potential future workforce, so all the staff here are very excited to support the program.”
At Lithgow Hospital, students discover a wide range of healthcare careers available close to home, including physiotherapy, dietetics, speech pathology, radiography, occupational therapy and Aboriginal health.
“Students started the two-day workshop with little ideas about a career path. By the end of the second day, 75% of the students expressed an interest in health careers,” says Leigh Thomason, Clinical Nurse Educator at Lithgow District Hospital.
“The best part of this program has been the interactions afterwards. Seeing local students at the shops who recognise hospital staff and telling them how much they loved it.”
Student participation with the Health Inspirations program results in future study and employment pathways.
“Many students who participate go on to undertake VETiS courses during their senior high school years before pursuing university, vocational training or employment in the health sector, often within NBMLHD,” says Lee Velandia.
Alongside Health Inspirations, NBMLHD also delivers the Koori Kids Futures program which targets local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students specifically. Together, these rich educational experiences are helping inspire the next generation of healthcare workers across the district.