Casey Barbour has always had a passion for working with kids and the ways medical care can improve their lives. In fact, for her NC Graduation Project she is spending time with an autistic boy and his mother to understand treatment options for autistic children and the impact of early intervention.

When she was looking for a job shadowing opportunity to complete her Graduation Project, she first thought of the pediatric unit at Rex Healthcare where she had participated in the VolunTeen program for two summers. After learning Futures for Kids was available to her at South Johnston High School, Casey connected with F4K Career Coach Elizabeth Rochin. As Clinical Manager for the Perinatal, Postpartum and Pediatric Departments at Rex Healthcare, Liz was able to give Casey the chance to experience a day as a nurse, with all the demands and rewards of the job.

Through her job shadow at Rex, Casey had the opportunity to ask questions and experience firsthand the joy of a child’s smile at being discharged from the hospital. She also learned about roles and responsibilities within pediatric care that were different from what she thought, and now has more options to consider as she moves forward with her education and plans for a nursing career.

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Casey and Liz at Rex Healthcare