Health systems are increasingly focused on offering healthcare “samplers” to young people before they choose a career path.
One pursuit is a $250 million initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which includes Memorial Hermann in Houston, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and 11 other health systems. The systems partner with high schools to create healthcare curricula for nearly 6,000 students.
The programs span high-demand healthcare roles, including nursing, pharmacy and medical imaging. After graduation, students can work at their high school’s partner health system or pursue postsecondary education.
Besides the Bloomberg-funded healthcare high schools, several health systems are collaborating with local schools to offer shadowing opportunities, clinical enrichment programs, “hackathon”-style events and virtual reality trainings to encourage more students to enter the healthcare industry.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in New York City, the oldest hospital in the U.S., launched a program for college students in summer 2025. The organization’s Nursing Experience Volunteer Program placed the students interested in healthcare into clinical care teams on inpatient units. By providing nonclinical support, program participants received firsthand experience to hospital work.
In Indiana, a bill passed in April allows high schoolers to enroll in a state-accredited nursing program. Previously, applicants were required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent before enrolling.
Amanda Noth-Matchett, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer of Indianapolis-based IU Health Methodist and University Hospitals, told NBC affiliate WTHR the new law creates more opportunity for future nurses to join the field.
“I think this is really exciting,” Dr. Noth-Matchett said. “I think it’s great that the state is working to remove some of those barriers to education, especially for people that are interested in the healthcare field.”
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