By RAYMOND ADEEKO

Staff Writer

The Division of Nursing held its Annual Career Day on Friday at the Thomas Assembly Center to allow its students an opportunity to experience the nursing vocation firsthand from veterans in the profession.

Gladys Fife, an assistant professor of nursing, said the event was uniquely organized for students in the nursing program, giving them a chance to research the medical profession and make choices about their career paths in the vocation.

"We put this Career Day on for nursing students and limit it to just nursing career opportunities," Fife said.

"We don't expand beyond that so it gives them a time to be one-on-one with those folks and learn a little more about the specialties."

She also said to get the hospitals to attend the event, the Student Nursing Association sent out invitations to them. The hospitals that could participate then sent back replies.

Christine Beaver, a senior nursing major, said the Career Day provides graduating seniors and other students the opportunity to establish a rapport with potential employers.

Beaver also said the event helps raise money for the SNA.

"It's good for the students to make contacts and hopefully get a job," Beaver said. "It's also a good fund-raiser for the SNA."

Becky Dischler, an assistant director of Human Resources at the Southwest Medical Center in Lafayette, said the event was a good opportunity for hospitals and clinics in the area to meet with the nursing students and possibly recruit them to their hospitals.

Dischler also said Career Day allowed the hospitals and clinics the opportunity to present themselves to their potential employees.

"I hope that people will remember the name of our hospital whether they come to work for us or not," Dischler said.

"I hope they will recognize it later on in their careers when they see our name and decide to try us out."