Hastings College announces new healthcare career pathway partnerships
A college in Central Nebraska is creating new partnerships to help students pursue careers in healthcare.
By News Channel Nebraska
HASTINGS, Neb. — A college in Central Nebraska is creating new partnerships to help students pursue careers in healthcare.
Hastings College announced Thursday that it signed agreements with Nebraska Methodist College and Des Moines University for medical-related career pathway programs.
“With a growing number of students looking for careers in health care and related fields, we want to provide more opportunities for them. These agreements help ensure our students who meet the requirements have additional options,” Interim Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Kittie Grace said.
The NMC partnership is a 3+1 program for students going into the high-demand respiratory therapy field. In the program, students complete three years in the health systems major at Hastings College. Then, they complete the one-year NMC respiratory therapy program in Hastings or another NMC site.
The program has five seats available initially. After getting their bachelor’s degree from Hastings College and associate degree from NMC, the students must pass a licensing exam.
“The program brings a multitude of advantages for both the healthcare sector and students. This partnership addresses the shortage of respiratory therapists, especially in rural areas. It also offers a local option for students interested in getting respiratory therapy training,” NMC Director of Enrollment Services Michelle Olson said.. “The program bridges a crucial gap in the healthcare industry while giving students the unique opportunity to partake in a traditional college experience.”
The partnership with DMU guarantees a slot for a Hastings College student in both the DMU podiatry and occupational therapy programs. It also gives Hastings College students guaranteed interviews in other fields.
Previous and ongoing Hastings College agreements include athletic training with the University of Nebraska Omaha; a radiology program with Mary Lanning Healthcare; a pharmacy early assurance program with the University of Nebraska Medical Center; a pharmacy partnership with Creighton University; and nursing agreements with the Bryan College of Health Sciences and the Creighton University College of Nursing.