Bringing Healthcare to Life: VRSim Joins STEM Careers Exploration Day in Iowa

This week, VRSim was proud to be part of the 8th Grade STEM Careers Exploration Day hosted at Central College in Pella, Iowa, organized by the WorkSMART Connector. Maggie Volz, VRSim Marketing Manager, and Kay Landon, RN and VRSim Subject Matter Expert, joined a group of passionate healthcare professionals from Pella Regional Health Center and Hearthstone, A Ministry of WesleyLife, to introduce young students to the exciting world of healthcare careers.

The event brought together over 120 students from across the Central Iowa region, giving them hands-on exposure to real-world career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Volz and Landon showcased two of our interactive training tools—VRNA CNA and VRNA EMS.

The demonstrations gave students a glimpse into what it’s like to be a Certified Nursing Assistant or an Emergency Medical Services professional. Using VRNA headsets and hand controllers, students were able to experience simulated healthcare scenarios that challenge users to think critically, make fast decisions, and practice essential skills in a risk-free environment. Emergency CPR was a popular choice among the students who used VRNA first-hand.

From performing basic patient care tasks to responding to simulated emergency calls, students quickly immersed themselves in the simulations—many for the first time—and walked away with a new appreciation for the fast-paced, high-impact world of healthcare.

“We love opportunities like this,” said Volz. “Letting students explore these careers in an engaging, interactive way helps them connect the dots between what they’re learning in school and what they could do in the future.”

Events like these are at the heart of our mission: to support education, empower learners, and drive innovation in workforce development. We’re grateful to WorkSMART Connector for organizing a successful event and to our healthcare partners for making the future of healthcare careers more accessible and inspiring for students.