I posted this thread a few days ago, and thought that I might hear from somebody...but was saddened to see only a handful of lookers, and no response. I wrote about a program, a future nurses club, that my hospital is starting - to work with students in high school to introduce them to the nursing profession. It's kind of our way to address the nursing shortage, but on a more long-term approach. We're working with high schools in our county to form this hospital-run program in the schools, with nurses from the hospital volunteering their time to show students what nursing is all about, and to guide them into choosing courses that will prepare them for their nursing studies. It's all very organized, with officers, newsletters, visiting speakers, field trips, and shadowing. We've had good response from the schools, and a lot of interest shown by the students - and we're all very excited about this. Isn't there anyone out there doing anything like this, or having an opinion, or having seen this type of program? I ran this thread by my husband, and all he said was, "BORING!". Is it really? I thought it was a good topic. What do you think?
Wow, what a wonderful idea, OH. One of my former instructors and I were discussing a possibility of this very idea not long ago. Due to the already-existing nursing shortage, funding shortage at the CC level, co$t constraints at the BS level, addressing this as an attractive option at the high school level would work. In CA, we already have some HS who are training students to become CNA's. They also get some clinical experience at NH and Acute Care.
Corvette, tying this in with ANC/Reserves is also another great idea. Perhaps it could be implemented into the JROTC programs that already exist? I wanted to get into ANC as an "older" (ahem) AN Reserve, but I was a non-select. I WILL try again, though.
Age is a factor d/t 46 is the cutoff, however the military has the waiver option. Let me know if you have any questions.
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woops found it. funny, it did not notify me I had one---so I missed it. Just chalk it up to my brain on overdrive. WAY TO GO Corvette!!!!!! That was one major accomplishment!
Just thought I would update on this topic. We have our Future Nurse's Club ready to roll out to students and parents mid August. We have met with students at their schools to determine interest (so far we have all but one of the county schools on board), we have been to the county fair (and have found more students interested and signed up there), we have planned our schedule of topics to present (by what the students at the schools told us they wanted), and we have planned 2 information sessions for parents and students (to be held at the hospital, with advisors, an over view of program, refreshments, Q&A sessions, etc), we have sent invitations, we have launched a logo campaign within the hospital, we have door prizes/gifts ready, we are compiling information referencing local nursing schools/colleges to be handed out, we have solicited the help from EVERY nursing area of the hospital to present a teaching/activity module to each "chapter" (school), AND we will be ready for our first meeting at each school in September. Currently, we have 70 students enrolled, but we are expecting that number to grow after we first get started. We will accept new attendees at any time, of course. This has been a HUGE undertaking, but we have been fortunate to have as many respondents as we have, and certainly as many volunteers as we have lined up ! And the best part - we have done all of this, with NO MONEY. We will start to spend a little now, for notebooks and supplies, and some other things we have in mind, but have had most everything up until now donated. That's where we're at for now, and if there's anyone interested in knowing more about this, I'll update again.
i wish something like this had been available at my high school. i didn't discover until years after graduation that i wanted to be a nurse, and i think the reason is largely that i simply didn't know about nursing. we had all kinds of presentations about career opportunities during our junior and senior years, but no one ever spoke a word about nursing, and there were no related materials in the counselor's office. i never knew what nurses did or what it took to become one.
i think that a fun, enthusiastic program like the one you are developing could be very beneficial to students and to your community.
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I posted to one post about hs students taking courses and coming out with their ADN in nursing...but I didn't see this one...sorry.
I think it is beyond an excellent idea!!!! I sure wish with all my heart we had had such a wonderful club like this when I was in HS.
To tell you the truth...and still holds true...there are lots of stereotypes and lack of info concerning what nurse really is and isn't! When I went into it...I really didn't have a serious clue about nursing and what it all was about. Lucky for me I was very happy to learn it, but I saw a few disillusioned folks drop out quick once they found out what it 'really is about'.
Having some insite into what being a nurse, and the ups/downs of it would have been awesome to have known before I got in! And yes...I think I would have thought twice to be honest...I think I would have gone EMT LOL!
Good luck with this and it certainly has 100% full support by this gal!!!!!!!!
I think that's a great idea! I wish they had something like that when I was in high school, it may have saved me a lot of time. I'm just starting nursing school after having finished my B.S. in Bio/Psych and changing my career goals. I was in such a rush to get through my undergrad that I never stopped to think about what I really wanted to do.
It sounds like a wonderful idea, I hope it goes well!
i truly wish this was an option when i was in high school. i had no idea what i wanted to do after i graduated i just wanted to get out of there. if i knew i was working toward a purpose or had i been introduced to the idea of being a nurse earlier i can only imagine where i would be now. (instead of starting college at the age of 30) best wishes with your program. it sounds truly wonderful.
What do you think?
Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
Age is a factor d/t 46 is the cutoff, however the military has the waiver option. Let me know if you have any questions.
BTW, JROTC is another excellent idea!