All posts by Dawn Janusz

SPC Health Ed Center Hosts Open House

Health education center open house
Featured, Health Programs - All

St. Petersburg College’s Health Education Center will hold their annual Open House and Student Success Showcase event on Wednesday, April 17 at the Caruth Health Education Center, 7200 66th St N, Pinellas Park. The free event will be from 5 – 7 p.m., and is open to SPC staff, students and the community.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.

TAKE A TOUR OF THE CAMPUS

Tours will be held at 6 p.m. Visitors can see our state-of-the art Dental Hygiene Clinic, simulation hospital (S.C.E.N.E), anatomage table, EMS vehicles, animals from the Vet Tech center, our Orthotics and Prosthetics lab, and our Physical Therapy Assistant and Respiratory Care labs.

MEET WITH DEANS, PROGRAM DIRECTORS AND FACULTY FROM THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

  • Dental Hygiene
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Funeral Services and Arts
  • Health Information Technology
  • Health Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Orthotics and Prosthetics
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Radiography
  • Respiratory Care
  • Veterinary Technology
  • Health Services Administration

TALK WITH CURRENT STUDENTS

Learn about our programs from the perspective of current students. They will be there to answer questions and showcase some of their best work!

SPEAK WITH ACADEMIC ADVISORS AND FINANCIAL AID

Learn about program admission requirements, transfer credits, financial aid options, and registering for the spring term for Associate and Baccalaureate programs.

REASONS TO ATTEND:

  • Experts will be on-hand to answer all of your questions.
  • You’ll find a pressure-free environment to explore potential health majors.
  • You can learn about financial aid, apply to the college and register for classes
  • Refreshments will be served.

HEC Offers State-of-the-Art Simulation Center for Nursing Education

Simulation Center for Nursing Education at SPC
Health Programs - All, Nursing, RN

Attend St. Petersburg College’s Health Sciences & Veterinary Technology Open House and Student Success Showcase event and learn more about the simulation center for nursing education:

Simulation Center (SCENE)

Come and see our multi-million dollar state-of-the art Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education (SCENE) during one of our open house tours. The SCENE provides a supportive environment in a realistic hospital type clinical setting for students to learn and master clinical skills. The SCENE is a safe, non-threatening teaching and learning environment which fosters the development of the level of critical thinking essential for the professional nurse.

The SCENE is comprised of four rooms that are set up as our ICU/ER simulation units. These rooms contain medium and hi-fidelity simulators ranging from infants to adults and are capable of simulation of multiple clinical scenarios. Medium-fidelity simulators are capable of programmable heart sounds, lung sounds, bowel sounds, blood pressure, and heart rhythms.

High- fidelity simulators are programmed to have the appropriate physiological responses to treatment interventions, including airway and oxygenation management, fluid administration, defibrillation, and the administration of drugs.

We have a total of 4 medium and five high-fidelity simulators which provide adult, pediatric, baby, and birthing simulation teaching opportunities.

Nursing students at SPC

Career Outlook for Registered Nurses

Through 2020, registered nursing will create more jobs than any other occupation: 711,900. With many nurses retiring, the economy recovering, and the health care needs of an aging population, Florida may soon face a critical nursing shortage. Salaries and opportunities are expected to continue to increase, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

SPC’s associate nursing degree program features:

Learn more at the Health Sciences and Veterinary Technology Open House

Tour the Scene at our open house on Nov. 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Health Education Center.

This event is FREE and open to the public. RSVP today and sign up for an event reminder. 

Career Highlight: Respiratory Therapist

Students learning how to be a respiratory therapist
Health Programs - All

Have you ever thought about a career as a respiratory therapist?

This career is often overlooked because it is unfamiliar to many.  In fact, respiratory therapists serve as vital healthcare team members treating patients with breathing issues related to conditions such as asthma, emphysema, cancer, and premature births. They are also an integral part of the emergency response team caring for patients suffering from heart attacks, strokes, drownings, or shock.  In addition, they are responsible for running life support systems.

The job market outlook is very bright. The Bureau of Labors Statistics projects employment to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than average for all occupations. This demand can be attributed to our growing aging population with increased respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.  The average wage is strong for Respiratory Therapists at 59,710.

Here are some facts about our Respiratory Care Program:

  • The program starts each fall and runs for 23 months
  • Classes are 2 -3 days per week
  • GPA requirement is 2.0 to apply and no Pinellas County preference
  • Employment rates are nearly 100 percent
  • Our graduates perform higher than average on the board licensure exam
  • Degree transfers to the first and only online bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration in Respiratory Care in Florida here at SPC
Where does a respiratory therapist work?
  • 81 percent work in hospitals
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Offices of physicians
  • Home care
  • Medical sales
What makes a good Respiratory Care student?
  • Excellent people skills
  • Work ethic
  • Computer and tech savvy
Learn more at the Health Sciences and Veterinary Technology Open House

Tour the facility and meet the program director to see if this is the right career fit for you at our  open house on Nov. 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Health Education Center.

This event is FREE and open to the public. RSVP today and sign up for an event reminder. 

Explore Health Careers at the Nov. 15 Open House

Open House Health Careers Exploration event
Health Programs - All

Attend St. Petersburg College’s Health Sciences and Veterinary Technology Open House and Student Success Showcase event to learn more about health careers and the college’s healthcare programs.

Health careers outlook

Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Healthcare occupations are expected to add about 2.4 million new jobs, more than any of the other occupational groups.

This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services. 

Take a tour of the campus

Visit the center during the Nov. 15 open house and take a tour.  You’ll be to see our state-of-the-art Dental Hygiene Clinic, simulation hospital (S.C.E.N.E), Anatomage Table, Orthotics and Prosthetics lab, Physical Therapy Assistant and Respiratory Care labs.

Tours will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Meet with deans, program directors, and faculty

SPC offers programs in a number of different healthcare programs. Have questions about a a particular program or want to explore the various options? Faculty and staff from the following areas will be at the open house to help you:

Talk with current students

Want to know what it’s like to be a student at SPC? Don’t ask us. Ask our students.

Learn about our programs from the perspective of current students. They will be there to answer questions and showcase some of their best work!

Speak with academic advisors and financial aid

Learn about program admission requirements, transfer credits, financial aid options, and registering for the Spring 2019 Term for associate and bachelor’s degree programs.

Why should you attend?
  • Experts on hand to answer all of your questions
  • A pressure-free environment to explore potential health majors
  • Learn about financial aid
  • Apply to the college
  • Register for classes
  • Join us for refreshments

 

Dine with the Dean offers view of LPN to RN Transitional Program

Health Programs - All, RN

The Health Education Center held its first Dine with the Dean LPN to RN Transitional Program information session this month on May 23.  Current LPN students from Pinellas Technical College and Erwin Technical College were invited to the dinner to learn about their next steps to become a registered nurse after they receive their LPN license.

Provost Dr. Eric Carver opened up the evening with a warm welcome to HEC before guests were served dinner.

LPN to RN Overview

As the guests dined, College of Nursing Dean Susan Baker provided an overview of admission standards, statistics, the application process, program details, college resources, and future job statistics. In addition, she covered important considerations regarding time management, critical thinking, budget, drug and background screens, immunizations, and essential functions needed to complete the program.

BSN Academic Chair Dr. Louisana Louis and ADN Academic Chairs Anna Neuzil and Jacqueline Hawkins-Johnson also shared insight on the LPN to RN program curriculum and expectations.

Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education

The guests then toured the Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education (SCENE). This is a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art simulation lab providing a realistic clinical setting for students to learn and master nursing skills in a safe, non-threatening teaching/learning environment.

SCENE fosters the development of critical thinking, which is essential for the professional nurse.

To wrap up the evening,  guests were treated to dessert and coffee while Ms. Ayanna Rowe, Student Success Specialist detailed the admissions requirement guide and checklist.

Guests remained to ask questions and were provided with information to make one on one advising appointments at the Health Education Center.

The evening was deemed a success by many and even included several instructors from Pinellas Technical College who wanted to be able to share information about SPC with more of their students.

Carmenita Booze, RN who is an instructor at Pinellas Technical College summed up the evening with a note of thanks. “It was a wonderful informational session.  I came away with a lot of information to share with students at Pinellas Technical College. Thank you all for the warm welcome and great hospitality.” Dean Baker was pleased with the excitement and turnout, suggesting we hold this as an annual event.

Health Career Event a Success

health career students holding up their certificates
Health Programs - All

Forty local high school students took part in St. Petersburg College’s Summer High School Health Career Discovery Academy event held on July 26 and 27 at the Caruth Health Education Center. Through a variety of activities, the successful two-day event, sponsored by AETNA, provided students the opportunity to learn about health careers and programs offered at SPC.

The event kicked off with ice breakers and conversation about the importance of career exploration. Each student was able to complete a career assessment to learn how their interests and strengths align with career goals.

Students tour health programs

Students visited each health career program on campus and participated in a variety of hands-on activities. In the Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education (S.C.E.N.E.), they listened to simulated breathing and bowel sounds, practiced hand-washing techniques with a black light, and used the pulse oximeter, which monitors the amount of oxygen carried in the body.

In addition, staff from the Emergency Medical Services program provided a tour that featured the college’s emergency training vehicles. Students also got to observe a Paramedic lab class in action.

Faculty from the Physical Therapy Assistant program brought out equipment and allowed students to practice physical therapy exercises, while the Respiratory Therapy department also showcased their equipment for the students to explore. A tour of the Orthotics and Prosthetics lab offered the opportunity to watch a live Pedorthist Fitter class fabricate orthotics.

Lunch and Learns featured health program panelists

Each day included a lunch and learn, where a panel of speakers answered questions. Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Baccalaureate programs, Nursing, EMS, Physical Therapy Assistant, Veterinary Technology and Dental Hygiene were all represented.

Attendees also learned about SPC’s FUSE collaboration with the University of South Florida, where they can start at SPC and finish at USF. In addition, they learned about study abroad opportunities, BayCare volunteering and Earn as You Learn opportunities, career outlooks, and fun anatomy and physiology activities with our Learning Support Center, the New Initiative Program (NIP).

Students earn health career discovery academy completion certificates

The health career discovery academy ended with some goal setting, problem solving and vision board activities to help students make a visual representation of their personal goals and dreams. Each student was awarded a certificate of completion and one attendee took home a Windows 10 tablet from a drawing.

Exit survey comments were all positive, with many students proclaiming the experience to be amazing! One student remarked, “I really liked the lunch and learns. I also liked how we were able to see and go into the rooms where the simulators were and get to hands-on experience. I would really want to do it again and even consider becoming a nurse.”

Health Career Discovery Academy Photo Gallery

Dixie Hollins High School students visit Health Education Center to explore careers in health

Nursing S.C.E.N.E.
Health Programs - All

A group of 33 Dixie Hollins High School 11th and 12th graders visited SPC’s Health Education Center on April 14 to discuss careers and health programs offered at St. Petersburg College. The students were part of the Advancement Via Individual Determination program (AVID), a college readiness program targeting students who have the desire and determination to go to college.

During the two-hour campus visit, students and SPC advisors discussed:

  • The importance of early career decisions
  • Career assessment tools
  • Health care occupations and career outlooks
  • SPC health program options
  • Preparation through networking, community involvement, volunteering, clubs, dual credit opportunities, creating resumes and cleaning up social media accounts

The visit culminated with a tour of the Dental Hygiene clinic, the Nursing program’s Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education (S.C.E.N.E), and open labs in the Physical Therapy Assistant and Orthotics and Prosthetics programs.

Students were surveyed before and after the event and had very positive responses. Those who said they were planning to attend SPC after graduation rose from 18 to 21. All participants said they learned something new about career planning or career assessments. Comments showed that students would be interested in longer tours and also learning about SPC bachelor’s degree programs.

This event was coordinated by Career Navigator Larissa Brown-Jones, Student Support Coordinator Dawn Janusz and Disability Resource Specialist Stefanie Silvers as part of a capstone project for their Career Development Facilitator (CDF) certification training. Building upon the success of this visit, they hope to create increased and lasting partnerships through similar events with local high schools.