Help, Info to lecture high school kids on nursing

[traumamomtx]

I'm lecturing high school kids on the field of nurisng this coming monday. I need some help from my fellow nurses:

1. any recent graphs and statistics I can run copies of and print for hand-outs. i.e. salaries, race/ gender comparison charts, and past and present nursing trends.

2. what would interest a bunch of high school kids about becoming a nurse other then $$$ and tales from the E.R.?

Any other suggestions and website recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks:twocents:

[justme1972]

I would probably not address the race issue in the profession during a presentation in high school...college, maybe, but probably not high school...that's a sticky subject at alot of schools...but the gender issue, go for it...more men need to get into the profession.

Everything else sounds great.

You could probably point out, that at many schools, students can usually complete college prep work AND take vocational nursing to become an LPN/LVN upon graduation from high school...that way when they graduate they can apply directly to an RN bridge program which is WAY less competitive than starting from scratch.

I would also emphasize any high school requirements that might be helpful and or mandatory for those that are interested in the profession..such as Algebra, Chemistry, and Biology. Most high schools give students the choice between Bio and Chem, and Bio is easier, but both are required if you want to be a nurse.

Good luck!

[bargainhound, RN]

I would suggest to let them ask questions so you can

dispell myths and clarify the role and education requirements.

[I_am_Julia]

it would bring some equipment like masks and what not. hands on items would be great. also discuss the different routes to become a nurse, the various avenues once in nursing (ie l/d, medsurg, midwife, crna, np, don, nurse manager, lpn, cna*). the reality of the classes. also, wearing your uniform might gather more interest if this a career day thing of the sorts.

i'm lecturing high school kids on the field of nurisng this coming monday. i need some help from my fellow nurses:

1. any recent graphs and statistics i can run copies of and print for hand-outs. i.e. salaries, race/ gender comparison charts, and past and present nursing trends.

2. what would interest a bunch of high school kids about becoming a nurse other then $$$ and tales from the e.r.?

any other suggestions and website recommendations would be appreciated.

thanks:twocents:

[EmilyUSFRN, RN]

I would tell them not only about the "cool ER stuff" but personal stories about actually helping, the kind of equipment nurses use and using critical thinking skills (many people I graduated school with thought nurses were just Dr. appendages and dealt only with the "gross" stuff). Delivering babies, doing codes, NICU, etc. can also appeal to those not really interested in ER work.

Money, and being compensated pretty well with overtime and benefits, and the flexibility for having a family, doing shifts, etc.

Give them a chance to ask questions at the end.

If available, bring pamphlets about different areas of nursing and the need for nursing now and the future.

In high school I took a few health careers classes where we learned about HMO/PPO, vitals, research on pertinent issues with areas of interest-- if this school doesn't have things like that-- maybe just encouraging students to think about issues and why things are so expensive, for example, if nothing else they become better educated about insurance, meds, diseases, etc etc etc.

Good luck!!

[G to The P]

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm

It should help for a print out and such.

[KMBrooks]

http://www.discovernursing.com/

Has statistics, benefits & salary, nursing programs, scholarships, etc. You can also order printed materials.

http://www.nsna.org/activities/breakthrough.asp

Since your talk is on Monday the above link might have some useful information you can print out. I would open up a discussion and let the students ask questions. That will often give you more than enough material to talk about.

[Trophywife81]

As a former high school teacher, I suggest touching on the topic of how nursing is a great way to "make a difference". Many teenagers do have that sterotypical chip on the shoulder, but underneath the facade the majority do care about doing worthwhile work...and when teenagers become excited about something, they are capable of much more enthusiasm and passion that many adults (who, like me, tend to get jaded and cynical as a defense again disappointment :uhoh21: ).

I would also highlight the versatility of the job...how they can work in a million different settings, on a million different schedules. No need to do the boring M-F 9-5 thing....

Hope this helps, have fun!

[burn out]

I think I would focus on the shortage and how they will always have a job somewhere due to the lack of nurses. I would also focus on the range of nursing and all the different areas and finally emphasize the ability to travel in nursing. In the end you have just given them the world in one career and isn't that what teenagers want anyway?

[Snugglibumkins]

Great points.

I would add that nursing has something for everyone...

if you enjoy math - then you would like to work with dosage calculations

if you enjoy kids - pediatrics or school nursing

babies - nursery, L&D

if you want to teach - nursing instructor or patient educator

if you want to write - policy and procedures, nurse administrator

I would also 'trick' them with places they wouldn't think nurses work - Disney world, big corporate nurses, legal nurse consultants, pharmacuetical companies, equipment reps, research - the Centers for Disease Control etc. Most people think nurses are just on ER. Let them know that there are many other non-hospital areas. Maybe some cool slides of the different avenues of nursing that most people don't think are 'nursing' and ask them what they all have in common - let them answer and then tell them that they slides show pictures of nurses.

enjoy your talk - sounds like fun!!

[S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN]

I would also highlight the versatility of the job...how they can work in a million different settings, on a million different schedules. No need to do the boring M-F 9-5 thing....

I would definitely touch on this.....and maybe list some of the many career paths you can take with your general nursing education. This was one BIG selling feature to me in highschool. Especially for students who don't know exactly they want to do.