Video: Students Get Real World Experience in Medical Field

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Nearly 50 high school students are taking the opportunity to gain real world experience in the medical field as part of a summer volunteer session.

Students from Northeast Mississippi have spent six weeks of their summer at the North Mississippi Medical Center helping in a variety of areas.

It’s a time for participants who are interested in the medical field area to get a hands on experience into specific areas.

“I’ve been wheeling patients in and out of the facility, I’ve made beds and made sure people were comfortable in their environment. Being here has been really great. I’ve learned a lot of new things that I never would know if I just kept sitting at home, so I’m glad I came here and actually done something like this,” said Volunteer Julie Lyles.

Students celebrated the end of their six week journey by hearing a guest speaker, who is a former volunteer at the hospital and now attending medical school in Jackson.

Stephen Morgan recognizes the many benefits of volunteering while in high school.

“Students absolutely should get involved with volunteering in the hospital or any area of the work force. That’s the only way to know what’s out there and what its like to get some hands on experience. Medical schools, nursing schools, any professional school looks favorably upon any experience in the work field,” Morgan said.

Program organizers say they hope students will take away more than learning from their experiences in the hospital.

“North Mississippi Medical Center is a community hospital. And I think it is so important to serve your community and so that’s the number one reason. Certainly it is wonderful on college applications and it is real world experience but I would just say its great to help other people, there is no other feeling like it,” said Carla Enis, director of volunteer services for NMMC.

The student volunteer program will end on Friday.