Fostering tomorrow’s health care workforce

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Texas faced serious physician shortages in health care professions. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) prioritizes building the health care workforce in Dallas and across Texas through nationally recognized education and partnerships with local independent school districts (ISDs) and health care providers, addressing the critical demand for health care professionals and strengthening community ties. 

Within the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, the faculty and pharmacy residents collaborate with other professionals across the enterprise, serving patients through partnerships with other health care institutions, community pharmacies and clinics. In 2021, the TTUHSC School of Nursing expanded its Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program by launching its first class at the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center site, benefiting from a partnership with the Methodist Health System and the area’s rapid growth and accessibility.  

The Texas Comptroller reported in 2022 that the state had the fourth-lowest nurse-to-population ratio, with only 9.62 nurses per 1,000 residents. With 1,215 students from the greater DFW area enrolled across the university, TTUHSC continues its dedication to addressing workforce needs and expanding access to care. 

While these partnerships with health care systems provide unparalleled opportunities for the students within the nursing and pharmacy programs, TTUHSC has taken an interest in igniting a passion for health care at an even younger age. 

To form a robust health care workforce pipeline, TTUHSC makes strategic partnerships with local ISDs. The university’s programs ignite passion in young students early and utilize cutting-edge simulation training and hands-on experiences in the Dallas–Fort Worth region. Student training prepares young learners with the practical skills and up-to-date knowledge necessary to meet the demands of a rapidly-evolving industry.  

In February 2024, the School of Nursing and the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy in Dallas hosted a visit for the NAF Academy – a national nonprofit that unites schools and businesses to better prepare students for college, career, and future success – in Dallas ISD, including students from Sunset High School, Hillcrest High School, Bryan Adams High School and Skyline High School. Students participated in hands-on experiences in the simulation center, including health assessment, IV insertion, maternal-fetal assessment and gastrointestinal tube management, as well as spending time in the School of Pharmacy sterile products lab, where they learned the correct handwashing procedures and important steps to follow as they prepared medication for IV bags. By working with a panel of students and faculty, high school students were engaged and able to learn about the nursing and pharmacy professions. 

The Red Bag tours, which take place on campus, also allow students from across the Metroplex to learn about TTUHSC’s offerings in a similar way and deepen their interest in a health care career path. A key piece of what makes these events effective is that current students lead the experiences, connecting to younger students who are mere steps behind on their own journeys.  

These partnerships help bridge the gap between academic understanding and real-world application, and create well-prepared professionals who are ready to enter the health care workforce. By fostering innovation and a passion for learning, students grow into better health care leaders, improve patient care and address health care shortages. 

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