CSUB and COPE have worked together since 2018, first starting a program in partnership with Adventist Health Bakersfield. Although COPE Health Scholars has long offered similar programs for future nurses and doctors to get experience in different specialties, this is the first it has created to highlight other health careers.
“The career exploration goals of the Pathways Adelante grant is in line with our regular programming; however, students will gain experience in broader areas of healthcare that will include clinical units, healthcare administration departments, care coordination roles and community health projects,” Campa said. “All of these areas encompass various different careers that students may not be aware of yet.”
Students in the program will rotate into a new area in the healthcare field every three months. More than just observing professionals at work, the students will fulfill key roles that contribute to patient and community care needs. The program will help students focus in on specific career paths and give them entry-level job experience that will help them get jobs after graduation.
“CSUB and the COPE Health Scholars program are looking for students who are interested in the healthcare field, are passionate about helping people and are open to growing as a professional,” Campa said. “We recognize that many students don’t have prior healthcare experience and this may be their first time getting involved. Lack of prior healthcare experience is not a barrier and we recommend that students still apply.”
To apply to the COPE Health Scholars program, students should visit copehealthscholars.org and submit an application. From there, a group of students will be chosen for interviews before being offered a spot in the program.
First- and second-year CSUB pre-health students should also fill out a second application for CSUB funding to support participation in the COPE Health Scholars program at bit.ly/COPEwaiver.
Participation in previous offerings of the COPE Health Scholars program has already led to success for CSUB students. Campa said Adventist Health Bakersfield recently hired eight program participants as nursing assistants to support the increasing demand of patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“CSUB students represent the future healthcare workforce for Kern County, and they will play a major role in improving the health of our communities,” he said. “Our partnership will provide the needed experiences and exposure for students in preparation for graduate school or entry-level jobs.”