In order to give them practical insights into the health and care professions and arouse their interest in these important fields of work at an early stage, the Wiesbaden School Social Work Department and the Academy of Nursing and Social Professions of Mission Leben have launched the "Medical and Health Professions Day". The initiative not only offers valuable guidance, but also helps to secure the urgently needed next generation of skilled workers - in a professional field that relies on qualified and socially competent specialists, both now and in the future.

On Friday, March 28, around 40 young people in the 9th and 10th grades aged 14 to 17 from eleven secondary schools therefore took the opportunity to get to know various professional fields in the healthcare sector - with practical and direct guidance from specialists from Mission Leben's Academy for Nursing and Social Professions. In addition to theory, there was also plenty of practice: the students were able to take their own dental impressions under supervision and thus gain an insight into the tasks of a dental assistant. In the medical and surgical assistant professions, they worked with surgical instruments and gained an impression of everyday working life in the operating theater. The focus was also on the nursing professions, with the participants taking pulse and blood pressure measurements themselves and experiencing typical nursing tasks. These hands-on experiences not only conveyed specialist knowledge, but also a feel for the interpersonal aspects of the healthcare professions - a central component of the work in this area.

Head of Social Affairs Dr. Patricia Becher underlines the importance of such programs: "We have many young people with great potential and a genuine interest in social professions. At the same time, healthcare and, in particular, the care of older people in our region is dependent on committed young professionals, both now and in the future. It is particularly important to me that we bring these two sides together at an early stage. That is why I support projects such as the 'Careers Days', which enable pupils to gain practical experience and explore their interests in a targeted manner while still at school. With the school social work for young people, we are able to create precisely such tailored career guidance offers - such as this day of medical and healthcare professions. These offers not only make it easier for young people to make an informed decision about their professional future, but also make a valuable contribution to securing skilled workers."

Mission Leben also emphasizes the value of the event: "Young people need contact with the world of work and, above all, a practical sense of achievement. As soon as they get into action, you can see a sparkle in many of their eyes. We see a lot of potential here for successful career guidance," emphasizes Melanie Golembka, head of the further education department at Mission Leben's Academy for Nursing and Social Professions.

The young people themselves drew a positive conclusion: "I didn't realize how exciting working in the operating theatre could be. It was really cool to hold the instruments in my own hands,' said a 15-year-old pupil from one of the participating schools.

The Day of Medical and Healthcare Professions impressively demonstrates that the earlier young people experience professions in practice, the greater the chance that they will recognize their strengths and shape their future with enthusiasm - and that the healthcare industry will attract the urgently needed young talent.

Further information: https://www.wiesbaden.de/leben-in-wiesbaden/gesellschaft-soziales/soziale-dienste_/Schulsozialarbeit-Jugend.

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