Students enrolled in the Glen Oaks High School Medical Magnet Program experienced first hand what day to day life is like working in the health care field.  They were invited earlier this month to shadow therapists, nurses, lab technicians and doctors at Baton Rouge General Hospital (BRGH) - Mid City. 

The partnership agreement between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and BRGH allowed students to spend the day with a health care professional in their field of interest and be introduced to new careers. 

Medical Magnet School Director Gayle White says this type of exposure is critical for students who want to pursue a career in health care. 

Mrs. White says this program is vital for health care in our area, “These students are the future of health care in Baton Rouge. The shortage of health care professionals is growing and these students can fill that need.”

The medical magnet curriculum is a four year program designed for students who have a specific interest in health care careers.  Students are better prepared to enter the health care field right out of high school due to routine contact with working professionals.

Students who choose to enter a community college or four year university have a unique advantage over their peers, having been exposed very early to medical terminology and courses. Students are also encouraged to pursue academic courses which complement courses taken in the magnet program.

During the first year of the program students are introduced to all the possible health care career choices.  By the time students reach their senior year, many of them have already decided which health profession they want to pursue long term. 

Juniors and seniors in the program can choose to enter the emergency medical technician (EMT) or nursing curriculum.  In the EMT curriculum students are taught by a working paramedic and have the opportunity to go on a ride-along in an ambulance. 

Seniors Kiara and Megan say they made the decision their freshman year to enter into the medical magnet program. Both say the time spent at BRGH solidified their decision to become a health care professional. 

For more information on the Glen Oaks High School Medical Magnet Program, call (225) 356-4306 Ext. 248.