Hartford HealthCare hosts career session for nursing students

Eastern Connecticut State University's Department of Health Sciences and Nursing joined forces with Hartford HealthCare (HHC) for the Nursing and Health Sciences Information Session on Oct. 3 in the Student Center Betty Tipton Room.

The purpose of the event was "to open students' eyes to healthcare career possibilities," said Lindsay Boucher, clinical coordinator for the Department of Health Sciences and Nursing.

The dynamic of the event was part career fair, part information session. HHC had several tables for discussions with students early in the event before hosting a presentation of career information and opportunities.

Sophomore health sciences major Abby Gallacher attended the event "hoping to learn more about HHC's research (programs)," said Gallacher, who hopes to enter a research career in cell biology, microbiology or endocrinology.

Gallacher spoke with representatives Annette McDonald and Amy Jodoin at HHC's respiratory therapy table. "Seeing pig lungs was really cool," she said after seeing the pig lungs on a ventilator at the table.

Among discussion points at the table were benefits to student employment at HHC: "If you've worked with us, you're guaranteed a job with us" after graduation, said McDonald.

McDonald continued by explaining the flexibility of HHC's student work programs, an essential element of the experience. "Whether you're available for eight hours a week or two hours on weekends, we make it work with your courseload," she said.

"We're here to support you getting your respiratory therapy degree; it's a completely student-designed program."

Rich Maskowsky of HHC Radiology outlined the "seven different modalities" within his department and how employment opportunities in each fit the skills and personalities of different students.

The types of jobs at HHC Radiology entail "constant motion and stress versus true clinical interpretation," said Maskowsky. Positions of need include information technology specialists, nurse practitioners and MRI, cat scan and ultrasound technologists.

The field of radiology is "ever evolving," said Maskowsky. "We're starting to do cardiac and chemotherapy imaging." These industrial advancements yield "better patient outcomes and being able to diagnose more cancers."

The presentation featured professionals in nursing, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, respiratory therapy and university relations/talent acquisition. The discussion provided "little snippets about career paths," said Alaina Phillippi, university relations program manager at HHC.

Two of the presenters were Eastern alumni Rachel Senechal '09, nurse talent manager, and Tyler Stevens '16, senior talent partner.

Geeta Thapa, Eastern's associate director of nursing admissions, enrollment management and communication, was excited to "have all these people here who have experience in their careers."