The National Center for Education Statistics reports that nearly 30% of undergraduates who declared a major in an associate or bachelor's degree program had changed their major at least once.1 Lack of work experience or exposure to various professions may hinder the process of selecting a career pathway and corresponding university major. Providing an opportunity to explore a potential career path may contribute to students making an informed decision. Recognizing the need for thorough planning for a college education to optimize resources such as time, money, and energy, this article describes a pilot summer program introducing high school students to the nursing profession.
Stages of career development
Donald E. Super2, a psychologist and researcher, theorizes the life stages that one may go through in the process of career development. The growth stage, he details, has three substages: fantasy, interest, and capacity. As Super explains, children begin the career selection process by fantasizing through role play, develop interests by liking certain tasks over others, and then consider personal abilities in relation to job requirements.2 Exploration is another key component of his theory. Opportunities that support high school students in exploring their abilities may help crystalize occupational preferences that contribute to preliminary decisions regarding career choices.
Nursing summer camp for high school students
The long-term sustainability of the nursing profession may be enhanced by appreciating the growth stage of career development among youth. Williams and Dickstein-Fischer identified the need for summer camps and innovative programs to introduce middle and high school students to the wide range of nursing roles.3 Responding to this need, the nursing college faculty at a faith-based university in New England launched "Nursing: Endless Possibilities" in 2018 as a nurse-centric learning opportunity for high school students interested in the nursing profession. The objective of the week-long summer camp was to explore Super's substage on capacity in career selection.1 The summer camp included a review of general nurse practice and academic responsibilities within a baccalaureate nursing program, providing participants an opportunity to consider their interests and abilities.
The nursing summer camp started with 6 students in the first year, then 24 students in the second year. Participants learned about the history of nursing and the variety of roles for nurses within the healthcare delivery system. Faculty members demonstrated and guided the practice of several basic nursing skills, including CPR and the use of personal protective equipment, at the simulation training center. High-fidelity manikins were utilized to practice speaking with a patient, auscultating heart and lung sounds, and witnessing a simulated birth using the maternity manikin.
The summer camp also included sessions on leadership, time management, and wellness classes such as yoga to emphasize the importance of self-care in order to best care for others. The development of an evidence-based project was introduced to the students and guided by faculty. In pairs, participants selected a healthcare issue to investigate throughout the week and present to the group on the last day. The project development activity was intentionally designed to help students understand the importance of evidence-based practice while building the skill set of working and presenting with others.
In addition to the precollege nursing program, the summer camp offered a glimpse into the professions of nutrition, biomedical engineering, and public health. Afternoon and evening sessions were focused on supportive activities such as resume writing, completing a college application, and team building. To simulate networking within college life, the participants ate their meals in the dining hall, lived in the dormitories, and met others pursuing a major outside of nursing.
The in-person summer camp took a pause in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, activities were conducted via a virtual platform to provide support to high school students interested in nursing. The 2022 program followed a similar virtual offering with a one-day live session on campus. In addition to virtual sessions regarding the nursing profession, information sessions in collaboration with other university departments such as the library, nutrition department, and the registrar were also conducted. These helped participants gain a more holistic camp experience regarding the college process. Information sessions included library resources, admission and financial aid, as well as a nutrition class to complement the importance of self-care.
Program evaluation and pursuing a nursing career
At the end of the program, participants provided an optional evaluation, which garnered mostly favorable responses. Of the 32 participants who submitted their feedback, 46% said that they had a greater desire to pursue nursing as a result of attending the camp, 43% said that their desire before attending the camp stayed the same, 10.91% said they were unsure, and 0.09% stated the camp made them realize that perhaps nursing was actually not for them. One participant shared: "The camp strengthened my desire to become a nurse and really opened my eyes to all the possibilities this profession allows." Participant feedback has remained positive amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with one student sharing an increased passion for nursing despite changes and challenges impacting the profession. Follow-up correspondence with participants from 2018 to 2021 yielded a 30% response rate and revealed that 88% are pursuing a nursing degree, some of whom chose to attend the university where the camp was offered.
As the need for nurses continues to grow in the US, this summer program shows the benefits of implementing innovative opportunities to introduce high school students to the nursing profession. Determining a college major is challenging for many, and opportunities to explore a career before college can help students make fully informed decisions and become part of a successful workforce.
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