Regional West recruitment specialist Linda Alfred and Cindy Reyes, CNA, one of Regional West’s previous job shadow students.

Students Find Passion for Healthcare Through Regional West’s Job Shadow Program

Choosing the right career field can be difficult – especially when it comes to the variety of options in healthcare. To help future professionals explore paths and gain meaningful experience, Regional West partners with local schools to offer a job shadow program.

Each spring and fall, Regional West Human Resources specialist Linda Alfred coordinates with educators from local and surrounding area high schools to identify students who are interested in healthcare. After they are interviewed by their school and have successfully completed the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Regional West Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) confidentiality requirements, Alfred places students in both clinical and non-clinical areas, based on their interests. Students get to observe the daily routines of Regional West’s professionals and hone skills like interviewing and writing a resume.

Some students come into the program knowing what healthcare field they want to study and flourish in the environment, while others may end up pursuing a different path. Some are undecided but find that Regional West offers much more variety than they initially thought.

“I meet with students frequently throughout the time that they shadow, and I let them know that I can help them with questions or career ideas,” Alfred said. “My favorite was a student who was certain that she was going to be a pediatric physician. After she completed a few observations, she was so amazed by the other healthcare professionals that she chose a completely different path.”

For as long as she can remember, Kathryn Vance was drawn to healthcare. When she heard that Regional West was a shadowing site through Scottsbluff High School’s job shadow class, she applied and observed in the Acute Rehab Unit (ARU) and intensive care unit (ICU). Regional West’s nurses walked her through their processes and showed her the ‘why’ behind what they do. During her time, she fell in love with nursing and, following high school graduation, became a certified nurse assistant (CNA) on Regional West’s third floor.

“I had so many different nurses who were willing to teach me things, and I got to watch them interact with a variety of patients,” she said. “Since we’re the state’s only Level II Trauma Center west of Kearney, this program gives students an opportunity to see how a larger hospital is run.”

Cindy Reyes’ passion for nursing also came at a young age. After watching her mother struggle when her younger brother was born with complications, Reyes wanted to explore a healthcare career. She shadowed in phlebotomy, the Emergency Department (ED), and labor and delivery, learning skills that she will use throughout her career.

“I wasn’t sure about phlebotomy when I first started, but they taught me so much, like what vein to look for, and what arm to use. That’s where I learned how to draw blood. I’ll take that knowledge with me everywhere I go,” said Reyes.

According to Reyes, Regional West’s job shadow program stands out because of the nurses, physicians, and providers’ commitment to helping students learn. When she shadowed in the ED, physician David Cornutt taught her about making diagnoses and looking at MRIs to help find the answers. Nurses would be sure to invite her as they were rooming patients so she could observe their work.

Reyes appreciated every learning opportunity she was given.

“They taught me not only about responsibility and being organized, but about being compassionate toward others when they’re scared and helping them through those problems. I find nursing fascinating, so I was happy to see their side and know that I could work in this profession,” she said.

Reyes is one of four students who found employment at Regional West this year after job shadowing. She enjoys being a CNA in the Pediatrics clinic while working toward her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. She also gives kudos to Scottsbluff High School and Derek Deaver, her job shadow teacher, for providing advanced education opportunities and helping her navigate the shadowing journey.

Regional West’s job shadow program isn’t just thriving; it’s growing. This school year, 10 students from local high schools will come to the facility and learn about the exciting possibilities in healthcare.

Alfred looks forward to seeing the next generation of professionals grow and take hold of this unique opportunity.

“Our program helps students like Cindy and Kathryn find their career paths through these stepping stones, and that excites me,” she said.