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The energy level on campus jumped a notch with the arrival of Nikki Hudson, the new EMS Program Coordinator. Nikki officially joined the team on October 1 and brings over a decade of experience in emergency medical services and education. Her vision and passion are already setting the stage for an exciting future for the program.

A Journey Rooted in EMS

After being laid off from a doctor’s office job, Nikki wanted to stay in healthcare, so she looked for a career that would fit her passion for people and her dynamic personality. Paramedic school was the perfect fit, and she fell in love with the profession. In 2010, she started working as a part-time EMT. Since then, she has earned an associate degree in EMS, worked as a paramedic, and advanced into mid-level management and administration.

She transitioned into EMS education in 2015, first as an instructor and later as a director in 2017. Along the way, she served as a training officer for Burke County. She also worked part-time at Western Piedmont Community College, overseeing its paramedic program.

Her wealth of experience and past leadership roles prepared her for this new challenge. Nikki is deeply committed to her work and views the community college as an ideal place to nurture the next generation of EMS professionals. “This program has an incredible history of being the one to attend in this area,” Nikki explains, “but we need to attract more students because the demand is so great industry wide. Our goal is to meet the community’s needs and ensure patients receive the care they deserve.”

Vision for EMS Education

Under Nikki’s leadership, the EMS program is poised to maintain and enhance its legacy of producing highly qualified paramedics.

A key initiative to help achieve that goal is an accelerated program that allows students to earn their paramedic credentials within a calendar year. This rigorous program offers a pathway for students with no prior experience or training to become entry-level, field-competent paramedics. “The year-long program takes students from zero credentials to being hirable,” Nikki says. “Then, they can continue their education while earning a living wage. When everything aligns, the students are ready to work, and the agencies are excited to have them.”

Meeting Industry Challenges Head-On

The EMS field is facing significant staffing shortages, and Nikki understands the importance of making the profession appealing and accessible. “These are hard classes, so we need to make them feel fun,” she says. “The learning process should be enjoyable, even while being challenging.”

Thanks to endowments created by the former Kings Mountain and Shelby Rescue Squads, the program ensures students train with tools identical to what they’ll use in the field. 懂色帝even has its own ambulance.

“EMS is healthcare and public safety combined,” Nikki says. “We must be a jack-of-all-trades, which means thinking outside the box in education. It’s not just about teaching IV insertion鈥攊t’s also about teaching them how to drive and handle all the job responsibilities.”

A Bright Future Ahead

With Nikki Hudson at the helm, the EMS program is set to continue its tradition of excellence while evolving to meet the demands of the industry. Her leadership, vision, and dedication to education are sure to inspire current and future students. “The thing about working in emergency services is you get to help someone, and even if it’s only a little bit, it’s life-changing,” she says鈥攁 sentiment that perfectly encapsulates her passion for EMS and the impact she hopes to make on students.