Earning a high school diploma is a great accomplishment, but thanks to a partnership between Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Dallas County Hospital and local high schools some students were able to get a jump start on their future.

Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take four three-credit hour courses through DMACC while still in high school.  The Introduction to Health Care Careers taught the teens about what professionals in the fields of pharmacy, physical therapy and nursing do in clinics laboratories and radiology departments.

Once these classes are successfully completed, students are equipped to take and pass the state Certified Nurse Aide test and work in a hospital or nursing home setting.

In addition to learning in the classroom, students also completed a total of 60 hours of practical work to get a hands-on perspective.

The course will be offered again in the fall.