High schoolers go to summer camp to consider nursing career

FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Summer camps are common for youths, but few inspire career choices and teach lifesaving skills. These were among the goals of the fourth annual Summer Nurse Camp, held June 12-15 at Marian College in Fond du Lac.

During the four-day camp, 20 high school students got a firsthand look at the nursing profession. Sponsored by Marian College and Agnesian HealthCare, the event gave the students, who will be juniors and seniors in the fall, a chance to learn about the different nursing fields. According to Nancy Noble, associate professor of nursing at Marian and camp coordinator, the camp was originally intended to serve as a recruitment tool for Marian College's nursing program. "Now (the nursing program) is busting at the seams," she said. The summer camp continues to promote the nursing profession, which is still experiencing a shortage of workers. In addition to Noble, three other nurses affiliated with Marian and Agnesian HealthCare served as camp directors. Thanks to grants from sponsors, the camp is free to students. A $25 fee is required to ensure that students who register do attend. Lunches and free gifts, such as scrubs and stethoscopes, are included. While part of the camp included lectures on topics such as patient confidentiality and introduction to nursing, most of the time was spent doing hands-on activities. These included first-aid training and CPR in which they can be certified. Tours of St. Agnes Hospital included visits to the emergency room and the various medical units. While the nursing profession has traditionally attracted young women, more men are joining the nursing ranks. This camp included the first two young men. Andrew Woller, 17, who will be a senior next fall at Valley Christian High School in Oshkosh, said his interest in nursing was piqued during a medical career camp he attended his freshman year. "We did a day on nursing and I really liked it. I wanted to find out more to see if this was something I wanted to do," he told the Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. "It's been really enjoyable. We've learned a lot about nursing and it's been a great camp." Andrew Hock, also 17, said his cousin attended the nursing camp and he thought it would help him discern his future. "A lot of people say a lot of men are becoming registered nurses now," he said. "They teach you a lot of neat things. I'm just seeing what this is all about." Kyla Pieper, 17, said she has been planning a nursing career and the camp helped reinforce her decision. "It's showed me a lot of what nursing is about and the kinds of nurses there are," she said.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops