Help! Career Fair Activity

[twss2323]

Long time follower/lurker of AN. Rarely a poster. Anywho.

I’m presenting at a career fair at a high school on Friday. It’ll be small sessions where groups of students come to my table at once. Im going to talk about the general stuff like pre-reqs and the day to day job as an ICU nurse. However, this is a STEM career fair, so I was thinking of having a quick STEM related activity for them to do, maybe hand out some candy to participants.

I was thinking maybe having an ABG and talking about vent changes that would be made to correct said ABG, but I think that might be too advanced for high schoolers. I’m looking for SIMPLE and quick activity ideas. Anyone got anything good? Your help is greatly appreciated, I’m drawing a blank, everything I think of I think may be too complicated.

Thank you!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I got nothin'. That stuff's too complicated even for me to understand! LOL

Seriously, I was thinking of maybe talking about the Krebs cycle and its place in the general scheme of things and how it relates to critically ill patients. I'm sure if the students are into the sciences, they've probably heard something about it, so it wouldn't be completely new to them. Just throwing that out there.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

They should be familiar with chemistry. You could have a chart on normal levels of electrolytes and just an abbreviated list of what happens if it is too high or too low.

The reason I think it would be a good idea is with the over-use of supplements, this can really bring home how it is important to keep these in balance.

Many are unaware, that extreme loses or highs can actually be fatal.

Something on insulin/glucose, would also be good.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

You could teach vital signs. Let the kids practice taking them and recording them on index cards.

Or you could teach blood pressure by itself. Teach them to take a manual bp, calculate map, what diastolic and systolic mean.

Or show normal sinus rhythm on a strip and explain what is happening in each section and how to calculate rate from the strip.

You could print strips with different rates and let them calculate each one. Teach bradycardia and tachycardia.

They can put the strips into a hat for a raffle. You pick one winner.

I would also check with your employer to see if they will give you free tchatchkes for the event. Pens or water bottles or whatever.

[SaltineQueen]

Come over to the school nurse forum & ask. They might be able to add to the good ideas you've already received.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Many acid-base balance as it relates to the human body? Those interested in chemistry might enjoy it.

[LovingLife123]

I think even just going into detail on the ABG itself. Teach them the differences in acidosis and alkalosis and have them pick what they think it is based off the numbers. If it’s a STEM fair I would think they would have an understanding already of chemistry.