Over the past few years, more high school students than ever are becoming interested in the medical field. From clubs like HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) to programs offering real-world certifications, such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and CPR/BLS, the trend is on the rise. Medicine is no longer just a college or graduate path; it is something many teens are preparing for in high school.
One primary reason for high schoolers’ rising interest in the medical field is exposure to the daily lives of real-life medical professionals through social media sites like YouTube and TikTok. According to Silvia Garrido, a publisher for ResearchGate specializing in education and health topics, a survey found that “One in three students followed TikTok accounts associated with medicine or nursing, with 63% of these accounts appearing to be non-university affiliated” (Garrido et al.). This data highlights how many students are drawn to the medical field through everyday content from real professionals rather than just schools. Seeing the professionals’ routines can make the path to a career in medicine feel more accessible and relatable for students. Therefore, social media exposure is a key measure for making the medical pathway seem more approachable for high school students.
Another prominent reason for high school students’ growing interest in the medical field is the brave role of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which motivates students to pursue a career in the field to support their community. As per Krish Vasudev et al., researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, “27.7% of students … indicated increased interest [in healthcare careers] thereafter,” with an additional “11.5% reporting new interest due to the pandemic” (Krish Vasudev et al.) The statistics show how the pandemic opened many teen student’s eyes to the importance of healthcare. Seeing the healthcare workers risk their lives to help their community led to student’s increased respect and the desire to help others in the same way. Overall, the pandemic played a significant role in increasing student interest in the healthcare field.
Another primary reason why high school students are more interested in the medical field is that their high schools have healthcare-related activities, such as various forms of STEM courses, clubs, and certifications. As stated by Shari Bossman, a registered nurse and health science instructor with over 20 years in healthcare, “Students who participate in our program often graduate high school with one or more certifications, making them immediately employable in healthcare settings. These certifications not only boost their resumes but also open doors to careers that offer stability, growth, and a sense of purpose” (Bossmann 2025). Because students have these unique opportunities to earn certification during high school, they have the chance to build skills and gain experience through direct exposure and real-life scenarios. The certifications are necessary because they provide confidence to students, ensuring they feel prepared for real-world healthcare roles, which can encourage them further to pursue their interests and passions as aspiring healthcare professionals. Overall, the accessibility and opportunities provided by these certifications in high school demonstrate the mechanisms through which high schools are actively promoting and preparing students for success in the healthcare field.
In short, the growing interest in the medical field among high school students is the result of several factors, including the highly relatable social media posts of health workers, the meaning and inspiration they provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the availability of real healthcare opportunities within the high school itself. Together, these factors are changing how students view and pursue their interest in medical careers, showing that this route to becoming a healthcare professional can start even before college. With these trends emerging, media influence, high schools, and global events are certainly among the forces shaping the next generation of medical professionals.
Works Cited
Bossmann, Shari. “High School Certifications: A Launchpad to Careers in Healthcare.” Training, 19 Feb. 2025, trainingmag.com/high-school-certifications-a-launchpad-to-careers-in-healthcare/.
Garrido, Silvia, et al. “A Survey on the Perception of Health Degree Students on the Use of Instagram and TikTok as Learning Tools.” Educación Médica, vol. 26, no. 4, 5 Apr. 2025, p. 101044, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1575181325000221, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edumed.2025.101044.
Krish Vasudev, et al. “Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Care Career Interests among High School Students.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 1 Dec. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.10.022. Accessed 5 Feb. 2024.