Students plan future at nursing, physical therapy job fair

11/12/2014 10:58 AM

By Matt Hawkins

Bradley nursing and physical therapy students planned for the future at the fall nursing and physical therapy job fair. The event provided 115 students the opportunity to network with 40 Midwestern health organizations

Recruiters like Don Schultz, of OSF St. Francis Medical Center, said employers are looking for prospective employees and interns earlier before graduation than a decade ago.

“It’s a starting point to talk about opportunities for the future,” he said. “We can build relationships with them throughout the years. Bradley graduates are connected with us through clinicals and they’re familiar with our system. Plus, they possess the skills we’re seeking — not only technical but soft skills.”

Students such as Abby Allen, DPT ’15 of Green Valley, Illinois, hoped the early job search would decrease stress later in the year when final projects and certifications loom.

“It will be a lot of stress relief to land a job before worrying about passing boards,” she said. “Knowing a job is secure will be better than having both on my mind.”

Health care-related graduates will enter the workforce with the advantages of training in the state’s second-largest medical community. That enables students to practice skills in diverse settings.

As a result of those opportunities, placement rates in health science, nursing and physical therapy topped 95 percent for the Class of 2013. That means those students found employment or continued education within six months of graduation.

“We’ve covered all the bases and got a broad education,” said Michael Holloway, DPT ’15 of Peoria. “When we go to work, we can specialize, but Bradley has prepared us for anything.”