Career Preparation

Many Midwesterners are familiar with the FFA Organization (formerly known as Future Farmers of America), which promotes and supports agricultural education at the high school level. For students interested in healthcare, the equivalent organization is Health Occupation Students of America, or HOSA.

HOSA Develops Skills

Most HOSA members are high school students enrolled in health occupations, health technology or health science courses, which focus on career preparation. Students in these classes study subjects like medical terminology, first aid and CPR. They may also train to be nursing assistants or first responders.

HOSA activities, which are usually integrated into the curriculum, help students develop the physical, mental and social skills needed for success. HOSA members can meet and shadow healthcare professionals. They also learn about healthcare from employers, professional associations and medical equipment companies.

"HOSA gives students a chance to use what they've learned in class," explains Guy Finne, a recruitment advisor at the Mayo Clinic who also serves on the Minnesota HOSA board.

For example, at the upcoming Minnesota HOSA's Mid-Winter Competitive Events Day, students will compete in areas such as medical and dental terminology, medical math, pharmacology and national healthcare issues. Also included in the day's events are competitive events in sports medicine, CPR, first aid and other hands-on skills; creative problem-solving; and job-interviewing skills.

A Growing Organization

Nationally, HOSA has nearly 90,000 members. Minnesota HOSA currently has over 800 members. Finne expects that number to increase.

Most schools with active HOSA chapters are in the metro area. But Finne notes the Moose Lake-Hibbing area of northeastern Minnesota is home to several very active chapters. Mankato also has a growing program. And the Rochester chapter of HOSA, which is integrated into the school district's health science careers program, is one of the state's largest with 220 students.

According to Finne, Minnesota HOSA hopes to have post-secondary chapters up and running at five community and technical colleges by spring of 2008.

"There's something different about HOSA students," Finne says. "They're motivated, confident, and they have the skills to succeed. They go off to college with a good understanding of what will be required of them - personally, academically and professionally."