SF Invites Students to Explore Wide-Ranging Healthcare Programs
November 14, 2024
A career in healthcare can be both lucrative and rewarding. From Nursing to Surgical Services, Santa Fe College's Health Sciences program has many paths to a healthcare career.
"We invite students to explore all of our programs," said Nilanjana Caballero, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Health Sciences. "Care often involves a diverse team of respiratory care, physical therapy, sonography and much, much more. At Santa Fe College, it's easy for people to find the role that's right for them."
SF offers 21 programs in the health sciences.
In addition, because of the quality of the programs, Santa Fe College graduates are in-demand by hospitals, physicians' practices, dental offices and other providers. Students learn and train in high tech environments that simulate real-world experiences.
One such program is Sterile Processing Technology. This short-term certificate program can help students find a job quickly as a valuable member of a surgical team or as a case cart technician, processing technician and more.
"The Sterile Processing program offers an excellent entry point into the healthcare field for those uncertain about where to begin," said student Naomi Baez. "One aspect I particularly appreciate is the hands-on experience we gain with the instruments, as it allows us to develop practical skills. What we learn in the classroom and lab directly relates to the work we will perform in the field, making the program a valuable steppingstone for advancing toward higher degrees, should you choose to pursue further education."
SF offers several other shorter-term certificate programs in Computed Tomography for medical imaging professionals, Nursing Assistant, and Polysomnography (sleep studies).
Students interested in an Associate Degree can explore:
- Cardiovascular Sonography
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiography
- Respiratory Care
- Surgical Services
Students also are encouraged to explore dental careers, including Dental Hygiene, A.S. and Dental Assisting, a certificate program.
Santa Fe College also has multiple options for people interested in entering nursing or advancing their nursing career. Like the health sciences programs, the nursing programs take advantage of technology and hands-on training.
Nursing student Jelani talked about his experience using a high-tech simulation mannequin in a maternal infant course. The mannequin simulates giving birth.
"This one was very interesting as we had a new mannequin that had eyes that moved, chest rise with breathing and even hemorrhaging effects that we had to address," he said. "Though it was a simulation, it still felt very real in the sense that things happened quickly, and we needed to act as nurses to aid both the patient and the newborn."
The college offers multiple nursing tracks for people interested in becoming a Registered Nurse or in advancing their education and career as an RN. The Associate in Science in Nursing, a two-year program and the Bachelor in Science program, lead to the RN to BSN program for those who already have an associate degree and ANEW, a nursing program offered on evenings and weekends. Students also can prepare for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the shorter-term PN program; Practical Nurses can earn an Associate degree through the LPN to ASN bridge program.
