HOSA stands for Health Occupations Students of America, the original name of a national student organization for young people who plan to work in health care. The group now calls itself HOSA, Future Health Professionals, and uses the four letters as its name rather than spelling out the old full form.
In high school, HOSA is usually a club tied to health science classes. Members practice skills like CPR and medical terminology, compete in health related events and meet people who already work as nurses, therapists, technicians and doctors. Many middle schools and colleges have chapters as well.
Quick facts
Stands for
Health Occupations Students of AmericaCurrent name
HOSA, Future Health ProfessionalsType
Acronym, said HO-suhKind of group
Career and technical student organizationMembers
Middle school, high school and college studentsKnown for
Competitive events and leadership conferences
What HOSA stands for, letter by letter
On a high school club list the letters name this same organization, and the old full name is still a good guide to its purpose:
- H for Health
- O for Occupations
- S for Students
- A for of America
The name changed because the group grew past high school students and past the United States, with chapters in some other countries too. The phrase Future Health Professionals describes its members better, so the group kept HOSA as a brand and added that tagline. On school club lists you will usually just see "HOSA."
What members do in a HOSA chapter
A typical chapter is run by students with a teacher adviser, often the health science teacher. Through the year, members might:
- Learn and practice first aid, CPR and basic patient care skills.
- Study for written tests on medical terms, anatomy and health law.
- Run blood drives, health fairs and community service projects.
- Hear speakers from local hospitals, clinics and colleges.
- Prepare for regional, state and international competitions.
Morning announcement: "HOSA meets in Room 112 after school to plan the blood drive. New members welcome." This is the health careers club, not a sports team or a class.
HOSA competitions and conferences
Competitive events are a big part of the group. Students enter by themselves or in teams, and events cover areas such as health science knowledge, hands on clinical skills, emergency preparedness, leadership and teamwork. Some events use written tests, some use role play with judges, and some ask students to show a skill step by step.
Winners at the state leadership conference can move on to a yearly international conference, where members from many states compete and attend workshops. Even students who do not place get practice speaking, working under pressure and thinking like health workers.
Where HOSA fits among school clubs
Schools group HOSA with the other career and technical student organizations, often linked to CTE classes. Each one connects a club to a career path:
| Club | Career area |
|---|---|
| HOSA | Health care and health science |
| DECA | Marketing, business and finance |
| FCCLA | Family, consumer sciences, careers in human services |
Students interested in science and math careers may also join groups tied to STEM. HOSA is the one aimed squarely at hospitals, clinics, labs and other health settings.
How to say and write HOSA
Most members say HOSA as one word, "HO-suh," so it works as an acronym rather than four separate letters. Keep every letter uppercase, without dots. With its opening H sound, write "a HOSA chapter," not "an HOSA chapter."
When you write the group's full current name, it appears as HOSA, Future Health Professionals. In a school newsletter, one mention of the full name followed by plain HOSA is enough.
Is joining HOSA worth it?
For a student thinking about health care, the club offers a low risk way to test the field. Members can learn what different jobs involve, gain skills that look strong on college and job applications, and sometimes earn scholarships through competition. It also helps students decide early if a health career is the right fit, before they choose a college major.
For more letters found on schedules and club lists, see the school acronyms page.
Questions people ask
What does HOSA stand for in high school?
It originally stood for Health Occupations Students of America. The group is now called HOSA, Future Health Professionals, and the letters are used as its name.
Is HOSA a club or a class?
It is a student organization, usually run as a club. It often pairs with health science classes, but you join it as a member rather than enroll in it.
How do you pronounce HOSA?
Members say it as one word, "HO-suh." Hearing "H O S A" one letter at a time is unusual.
Who can join HOSA?
Middle school, high school and college students with an interest in health careers can join where their school has a chapter. Each chapter sets its own meeting and dues details.