Bridging classwork into competition: How HOSA is set to benefit Bethel’s future health professionals

As just the third HOSA chapter in Kansas, Bethel joins an elite group of institutions nationwide.

The Bethel nursing department in action — Photo via Bethel College

For future health care workers in the college ranks, there are struggles upon struggles and questions upon questions. “Is this major really the right one for me? Does it also look like this in the career?”

Sometimes, we students in general have a struggle to find the perfect major for us at college after graduating from high school because we have a lack of working experience which leads us to open questions — such as those above. There are also plenty of people who enjoyed their student life but not their working life, because they sometimes don’t even really know what the career looks like when you work in the field as opposed to just studying it.

Having struggles and questions is ordinary. The problem, however, is trying to solve them. Now, with the introduction of HOSA to the Bethel College campus, Threshers who are looking to pursue a future in health care have a source for answers.

To learn more about HOSA, I spoke with Matthew Fleck, a sophomore from Cherokee, who led the campaign to have HOSA established by the Student Government Association as an official campus club — which was passed unanimously on Oct. 23.

HOSA — Future Health Professionals is a career and technical organization that allows students to network with other individuals in their desired field and pick up some advice or just chat with them whenever those struggles or questions read their ugly heads. There’s the opportunity to communicate not only with people who are already a part of the workforce, but also with students who have the same immediate concerns. Participants can showcase their knowledge and skills in competitive events and have a sample experience in leadership positions. There’s also a considerable allotment of scholarships or internships for students who may be searching for one. 

HOSA‘s mission as a national institution is to empower its future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. 

But what was the starting point of the process of bringing HOSA to Bethel?

“I wanted to bring HOSA to Bethel‘s campus because of the benefits HOSA can have for our students,” Fleck said. “From making memories doing competitive events to meeting new people, HOSA can do a lot for our student body.”

It allows students an opportunity to bridge classwork into competition and show their knowledge.”

Bethel is now just the third collegiate chapter of HOSA in Kansas. Across the nation, the school joins Stanford, Princeton, University of North Carolina-Chapel, University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Arizona.