On Monday 24th June we were invited to have some students attend an informative seminar arranged by the NZ Rural General Practice network. Nine students joined others from Horowhenua College to meet with the team of health professionals who spoke and organised some hands-on activities. The team included our former student Summer Sanson who is in her seventh year of study on her journey to become a medical doctor.

As well as student doctors, here was also a student nurse and a student of psychology.

The speakers used a slide presentation to remind us of the broad range of careers available in the health areas, the different pathways available to enter the health sciences (first year) through to the requirements of universities in selecting students for the professional years of study in medicine, physiotherapy, and dentistry.

An interesting fact has stuck in mind. In acknowledgement of the dearth of doctors wishing to practice in rural areas, there is a positive programme put in place to make it easier to get into medical school if you are from a high school regarded as being in a rural community. Manawatu College is such a school and as a result applications for medical school from our students qualify for special consideration! That is to our students’ advantage. The idea is that if you come from a small rural town, you are more likely to return to a small rural town to practice as a doctor or, in the other cases, nurses, podiatrists, physiotherapists.

The activities included the ability to practice CPR skills, to take a blood pressure reading, to listen to your heart, lungs, or stomach noises and, very much a fun activity checking for reflexes. You might remember this from a visit to the doctor yourself where you received a gentle tap with a ‘rubber headed’ drumstick type device and your limb developed a life of its own and jerked.

In the photos you see Summer and her fellow med student friend addressing the group. Visible behind the screen is a range of brochures that show the tremous range of options if you choose a career in health - radiology, optometry, radiation therapy, imaging technologist, lab technician, sterile supply technician, surgeon, nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, midwife …. the list is long and varied. Obviously an interest in Science is recommended and and ability in English and Maths.

Other photos show Chloe and Chloe learning about systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Monica taking Haylee’s readings, Joshua and Amy listening to their own hearts and then finally, Summer explaining to Monica and Haylee how the reflex works. The diabolical little rubber hammers are in the background!

Later in the year, the Central Districts Health Board will be running a full health careers day also. If this article has got you interested in knowing more or perhaps investigating a career in the health field, get your Academic Coach to fire your name to Mrs Allan.

I would like to record the group’s thanks to Summer and the team and also the welcoming staff and students we met at Horowhenua College who helped us find where we were meant to be and show us the way.