CINCINNATI — With the American Hospital Association predicting a shortage of more than 3 million healthcare workers in the U.S. by 2026, one program at the University of Cincinnati is working to build a stronger pipeline into the field.
The "Healthcare Exploration Through Patient Care" course allows UC students to train and work as Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) within the UC Health system, offering them paid, hands-on experience in hospital settings while earning academic credit.
Kate Carey, a third-year medical sciences major, said her father’s cancer diagnosis inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. Now, through the program, she’s gaining critical experience in the field.
“It’s been really awesome to see how the hospital works, how nurses interact with the doctors, and how patients go through their treatment plan,” Carey said.
Students in the course learn skills typically required of PCAs, such as taking vital signs and checking blood sugars, while working directly with patients. More than 300 students have participated in the program so far.
“This is a much more accessible way to get experience,” Carey said.
Dr. Arthur Pancioli, Senior VP/Chief Clinical Officer at UC Health and one of the program’s creators, said the course was designed in response to growing healthcare staffing shortages. A survey by the Ohio Nurses Association found that 63% of nurses who left bedside roles cited excessive patient care loads as a contributing factor.
“There just aren’t enough healthcare providers to be had—here or anywhere across America,” Pancioli said. “By creating an entirely new avenue for entrance into the workforce, we’ve created a huge number of additional teammates to assist.”
Pancioli said the experience students gain not only supports current hospital staff but also gives participants a leg up when applying to medical school or other healthcare-related graduate programs.
“For almost any future employment in health care, having genuine exposure, and even better, an immersive experience, makes you a much more attractive applicant,” he said.
Carey, who now works as a teaching assistant for the course, said the opportunity has helped her discover a passion for pediatrics.
“Moms, babies, and the unit have really inspired me,” she said. “The hospital staff is super close-knit, and the patient outcomes are really positive.”
More than just a resume booster, Carey said the program has taught her resilience and helped her appreciate the bright moments in a hospital setting.
“It’s teaching me to really appreciate the happy moments in the hospital, because there’s a lot of them,” she said.
Applications will be available beginning May 1st. For more infiormation, email HealthcareExploration@UCHealth.com.
