Nursing Academy provides hands-on experience
Janel Shoun |
From the science behind the stethoscope to reading an EKG or applying proper technique in determining blood pressure, these seventh- through twelfth-graders will learn the ins and outs of the nursing profession, trying out skills such as checking blood pressure, touring Centennial Medical Center, hearing from local doctors and nurses and even learning about healthy nutrition at lunch each day.
“As one of the area’s largest health care employers, we are proud to work with Lipscomb University to provide area students a hands-on opportunity to discover the many career options available to them in the health care industry,” said Mike Cassity, vice president of human resources for TriStar Health System. “As the need for dedicated, skilled health care professionals continues to grow, it is important to inspire interest at an early age. This unique program is an excellent way for students to learn what they need in terms of education, experience and passion for the work in order to achieve success in any health care profession.”
High schoolers from Maplewood, Greenbrier and Overton, and middle schoolers from Rockvale, David Lipscomb and East Literature, among other schools, will get their own scrubs to wear as they explore a bevy of topics such as how to administer medications and the history of nursing.
On Thursday, July 10, the students will tour Centennial Medical Center and view the pathology and imaging labs in action as well as seeing health care personnel performing their duties in the cardiac care areas, the laboratory and nursing care areas. The patient care simulations and tours have been tailored to meet the unique learning needs of these students.
As the demand for nurses in Tennessee is expected to exceed supply by 9,500 over the coming years, nursing and other health care professions are attractive career opportunities for today’s teens. The diversity of job options and needed education within the health care industry makes it a particularly attractive option for Nashville’s minority teens, said Alicelene Hunter, workforce development program manager for the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, which recruited five students to attend the Nursing Academy. A local Hispanic church gave scholarships for two Hispanic students to attend.
Given its long-standing success in educating doctors and scientists, Lipscomb University saw the Nursing Academy as a way to bring its expertise in science to an additional group of students: high school and middle school students interested in nursing, said Ben Hutchinson, dean of the Lipscomb College of Natural and Applied Science. The university established its own bachelor’s degree in nursing six years ago, and the university’s nursing students and graduates will mentor participants in the summer nursing and health care academy.
“The workplace itself is a place of great diversity and most students tend to interact with only people in their neighborhoods, clubs or schools,” said Hunter. “They really need to see more of the reality of the workplace and of higher learning. I’m excited about students getting as many opportunities as possible to see life in a broader spectrum.”
The Nursing Academy will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 7-11 in Lipscomb University’s McFarland Science Building on the Nashville campus and at Centennial Medical Center on Thursday, July 10. On Friday, July 11, the students will graduate from the Academy and enjoy a finale reception on the Lipscomb campus.