Vocational orientation for school pupils up close

Over the past few days, the health science department once again opened its doors to sixth form students. This time, we were delighted to welcome the higher technical school for health sciences from the Justus Leber School in Frankfurt. A varied program consisting of workshops and presentations awaited the 11th graders. The teams of the Bachelor's programmes at the department were responsible for this. Here's what happened:

In the "Nurses save lifes!" workshop, the pupils were given an insight into the well-equipped skills and simulation laboratories of the Nursing study programme. The specialisation was on practical lessons in preparation for professional practice. They received a teaching unit on the topic of the "ABCDE assessment". This assessment makes it possible to assess and evaluate patient situations in a structured manner. After the students were shown the best course of action in an emergency situation, they were given the opportunity to lend a hand themselves. In addition to measuring blood pressure and pulse, pupil control and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults and infants were on the agenda.

The laboratories of the midwifery study programme were also very busy. The participants learned about the structure and expire of the dual study programme in midwifery at HS Fulda and gained a first insight into practical teaching. Based on a theoretical input on Leopold's manoeuvres, the students were able to feel how the baby lies in the mother's abdomen using the simulators on the abdominal wall of the pregnant woman. The Pinard was also used to listen to the baby's heartbeat. The subsequent Q&A session on pregnancy and birth culminated in a demonstration with a bony pelvis and a demo doll.

The workshop "On the other side of the classroom" from the Health Education (B.Ed.) study programme aimed to get students excited about the profession of health teaching staff in the form of a station-based learning experience. From voice training and a quiz on prejudices to designing their own flipchart, the participants were able to get to know some aspects of the study programme and the teaching profession. The question of maintaining one's own health was also on the agenda.

In the physiotherapy laboratories, on the other hand, subject-related surveys and analyses were carried out. How can deviations during movements be recognised and measured? And why does pain actually occur? Using various practical examples, the students slipped into the role of a physiotherapist and analysed the gait of our demo patients and tried to identify the causes. "I've often thought 'but he's walking funny', now I have ideas on how I can observe more closely to identify what's funny."

The interactive, app-based health rally across the campus supported the participants' health literacy in a playful way and provided initial insights into the health promotion study programme.

After lunch together in the cafeteria and a tour of the campus, the students split into two presentations on the "Global Health" and "Health Economics and Health Policy" study programmes.

On the one hand, they learnt through an interactive practice class that individual decisions that support health are deeply influenced by broader determinants. This understanding served as the basics for an in-depth discussion on the multidisciplinary nature of the Global Health study programme. It was explained how social, political, business and environmental perspectives are closely interlinked and the specialisation of the study programme is on global health equity, taking into account global health crises. Participants also learnt about potential career prospects(s) in the field of global health.

On the other hand, they learnt about the need for and relevance of Health Economics and Health Policy from a student perspective. A keynote speech visualised the basic structures of our complex health system and presented the study programme in an applied and related to practice way. The students listened attentively and, after a brief exchange, took away a new perspective on the content.

It is clear that the members of the health science department take their responsibility seriously when it comes to providing career guidance and support for students. For this reason, we organise campus days for these groups several times a year.

Do you recognise the added value of these campus days for your class and would like to visit us on campus? Feel free to contact us and we will appoint an individual program for you!