Calgary students get hands-on with health care during Take Our Kids to Work Day

Rockyview General Hospital offered 50 Calgary kids a glimpse of a life in health care on Wednesday. 

It was all for Take Our Kids to Work Day: a nationally recognized event that happens during the first week of every November. 

Hundreds participate around the country, but at Rockyview, relatives of health care pros got an extremely unique experience. 

"A lot of kids end up going to their parents' offices and sit in a chair and twirl around," clinical nurse education Jennifer Smith said. "This is actually hands-on. They're really getting to see how health care workers structure their days and think about their careers."

The event returned this year after a couple of years off because of the pandemic. 

Alberta Health Services brought their children to learn some valuable skills for its annual Take Your Kids to Work day on Nov. 1, 2023.

The idea is to give local youth a realistic, inside look at the many skills and areas of expertise a career in acute care entails.

It's split up into three main areas: EMS simulation, infection prevention and control and mock patient care that wraps in nursing, respiratory and physician skills. 

Students got to use administer faux medication, give mannequins an IV and even operate on a pumpkin. 

"By actually immersing and getting their hands on things, we hope that (the students) will stay engaged and they'll be excited about the experience," Smith said. 

Smith says four students that took part in the 2019 edition are now pursuing a career in health.  

Alberta Health Services brought their children to learn some valuable skills for its annual Take Your Kids to Work day on Nov. 1, 2023.

Wednesday participant Brielle Lafond could follow in their footsteps. 

"I was really interested in the respiratory therapist (activity) that we had done, but seeing this mock surgery) really got my interest," the grade 12 student said. "I'm possibly going to look at the U of C for that."