High school students dubbed next generation of nurses grace halls of Maryborough Hospital

Students from Maryborough State High School are accompanied by qualified staff during their training. (Supplied: Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service)

You could be forgiven for thinking you were on an episode of Doogie Howser at Maryborough Hospital, but these teenagers are part of real-life medical training — not a television show.

Maryborough State High School principal Simon Done said year 11 and 12 students had been given the chance to gain two recognised health qualifications, while they completed their Senior studies.

He said the students could be the next generation of nurses and paramedics.

"They look exactly like any nurse, doctor, medico on the ward," Mr Done said.

The school is partnering with CQUniversity and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, allowing students to enrol in a Certificate II in Health Support before entering a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance in year 12.

Maryborough State High School year 11 and 12 students get experience in the medical field. (Supplied: Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service)

Real-life experience

Student Latecia Stollberg said she was encouraged to sign up for the program after seeing her aunt working in the health industry.

Mr Done said it gave students real-life experience.

"They go off and do [practical] work at Maryborough Hospital getting on the job, real-life training and then with the expectation that they'll be able to be eligible for careers in Queensland Health locally as well," he said.

"We've been working quite a bit on this in the school for about the past year to be able to give students the opportunity to get their hands dirty and really get the on-the-ward, on-the-job training.

Maryborough State High Principal Simon Done (centre) says the program could be expanded to other industries. (Supplied: Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service)

"Then with an arrangement we have with Central Queensland University, those students will be eligible to go on and do tertiary study without an ATAR score as well.

Mr Done said the students were taking it very seriously, and he believed the concept could be expanded.

"We're looking at the health sphere at the moment," he said.

"Maryborough High has a similar arrangement with Central Queensland University looking at stuff around our Diploma of Business so we do a two-day pop culture expo at the school, and the last time we did it we had 15,000 people turn up.

"We're also looking at expanding into other aspects with the university into education and sports medicine."