I helped to start a program for seventh and eighth graders (many of whom belong to minority groups) to spark their interest in nursing as a career. The program has expanded into six middle schools.

The young people hear nurses from various specialties give lectures and get hands-on experience by learning to perform CPR and use automated external defibrillators. They practice gowning up for surgery, inserting I.V. devices into artificial arms, and listening to heart and lung sounds. We hope this program will produce many more nurses for our country in years to come.

ELAINE FANTLE SHIMBERG

Tampa, Fla.