In January 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $250 million dollar grant initiative to create new high schools and healthcare programs in 10 US communities, including two here in Texas. The goal is to, “graduate students directly into high-demand healthcare jobs” and address current and projected healthcare industry shortages.  Currently, there are estimated two million open healthcare industry jobs and an additional two million more expected by 2031. 

While I agree that we all need to be finding ways address the current and projected shortage of healthcare workers, how young is too young to be working in healthcare?  According to The Center for Parenting Education, “maturity levels in young adults can vary depending on different areas of development, such as physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and ethical/moral.  Young adults 18 to 25 are not significantly different from adolescents ages 16 to 17 in terms of psychosocial maturity, which includes responsibility, perspective, and temperance.”   

These high school programs are set to start in the upcoming school year, 2024-2025, targeting 9th graders, typically aged 14-15. The grant parameters allow school districts to decide how to implement these programs and which grades to target. While some programs include dual credit courses that will be a helpful transition into a college degree or certificate program, other new high school programs may include complex healthcare areas such as surgical technology, radiologic technology, and respiratory therapy.  This is completely up to the school district to decide if areas like these are appropriate or more entry-level healthcare education such as certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, or medical aide, may be more applicable to age and maturity level. 

According to Lumen Learning Life Span Development, “the adolescent brain is flooded with impulses that overwhelm the prefrontal cortex, and as a result, adolescents engage in increased risk-taking behaviors and emotional outbursts possibly because the frontal lobes of their brains are still developing.  Additionally, changes in both the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the limbic system make adolescents more emotional and more responsive to rewards and stress”. 

Takeaways 

As our healthcare workforce has significantly decreased since the pandemic and is aging towards retirement, what is the solution? The direction Bloomberg is going in is certainly one answer to addressing the shortages, but how young is too young to be exposed to the complex situations that healthcare professionals face daily?  Also, how will these high school programs impact current, established college and hospital-based programs and their enrollment?  Their current clinical space?   Things to consider:

Educators – You may want to investigate these potential concerns.  These high school programs are up and running and making waves in your backyard.  What is the answer?  Should college and hospital-based programs increase their enrollment?   

Programs, advisory boards, medical communities – Shortages are not going away, any time soon.  Alternatives, new pipelines, and unexplored avenues must be addressed sooner, rather than later.   

Employers – Retention bonuses instead of hiring bonuses?  Raises?  Oh wait, that may be another blog entirely.  Let me get back on-track here.   

Healthcare professionals – Become active and aware.  Ask questions of your educational partners.  Get involved.  Become a member and participate in advisory boards.  If any of you now have questions, ask them.  Ask your educational partners (whether high school, college, university, or hospital-based), “How are you addressing the shortages?“ 

While the intention behind these high school healthcare programs is commendable, we must tread carefully. As we strive to address the critical shortages in our healthcare workforce, it’s essential to balance ambition with realism. Let’s ensure we provide these young learners with the support and gradual exposure they need, rather than pushing them into roles that might overwhelm them. The goal should be to train capable, well-prepared professionals who are ready to not only thrive in our industry, but also make a positive impact in the healthcare field.