From Classroom to Career: How Early Pathways Build Nevada’s Healthcare Workforce

From Classroom to Community: Why Workforce Development Must Start Early

When healthcare workforce shortages are discussed, the conversation often begins at the college or training level. While these stages are essential, they address only part of the pipeline. At High Sierra AHEC, we believe effective workforce development must begin much earlier; well before students are making career or college decisions.

Across rural and underserved communities, many students, particularly those from Title I schools and first-generation families, have limited exposure to healthcare careers. For some, the idea of working in healthcare feels distant or unattainable simply because they have never seen someone like themselves in those roles. By the time students reach high school, the opportunity to prepare for many healthcare pathways has already narrowed.

Andrea Gregg, CEO, sharing our pathway programs with the NAACP and highlighting how early, intentional engagement can help students from all backgrounds explore and succeed in healthcare careers.

That is why early exposure is a workforce strategy.

High Sierra AHEC’s pathway programs engage students as early as elementary and middle school, helping them connect classroom learning to real-world healthcare careers in their own communities. These experiences are not about asking students to choose a profession too soon; they are about expanding what students believe is possible, building confidence, and laying the foundation for long-term engagement.

Over my 18 years with AHEC, I have had the opportunity to see what this long-term investment makes possible. I have watched students who were first introduced to healthcare careers in elementary school grow into practicing healthcare professionals serving their communities. I have also seen students who once envisioned themselves in clinical roles choose a different but equally vital path, pursuing careers in education so they can support, advise, and advocate for students facing barriers similar to those they experienced themselves.

Taking my son along to the Nevada State Legislature to show him the policy side of building Nevada’s healthcare workforce. Thank you to Senators Krasner, Taylor, and Titus for their time and support of this important work.

I have seen students complete our pathway programs from high school participation to becoming AHEC Scholars, and I have hired many of our former work-based learning interns into positions within our organization. This is what full-circle workforce development looks like: sustained investment, intentional relationships, and pathways that evolve as students discover where they can make the greatest impact.

These early investments matter. Students who see themselves reflected in healthcare roles are more likely to pursue relevant coursework, seek mentorship, and ultimately return to serve rural and underserved communities. This is how workforce development becomes community development.

Building a sustainable healthcare workforce requires alignment across education, healthcare, community organizations, funders, and policymakers. It also requires continued investment in strategies that start early and prioritize equity ensuring opportunity is not determined by zip code, income, or background.

We have made meaningful progress, but there is still much work to do. I am deeply grateful to the educators, healthcare providers, community organizations, funders, and collaborators who support students at every stage of their journey, from the classroom to the communities they will one day serve. Strengthening the healthcare workforce is a shared responsibility, and continued partnership, investment, and engagement are essential to ensuring today’s students become tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.

I feel so grateful for being a part of this work for so many years and am looking forward to more growth and opportunities to come. 

Andrea Gregg, CEO