
High School
Senior Career Exploration Program for Nursing
High school seniors interested in a career in
nursing are given a rare, up close look at the
daily activities of front-line Registered Professional
Nurses at Huntington Hospital. Students are
given the unique opportunity to observe the diverse
roles of professional nurses first hand.
Huntington Hospital's innovative High
School Career Exploration Program originated
as one of the long-term strategies the Nursing
Department initiated to help mitigate the anticipated
shortage of nurses in the coming decades. Students
are selected from local area high schools to participate
in the program which receives a high level
of support from all levels of nursing leadership.
The primary goal of the program is to provide
young people with exposure to the nursing profession
and spark their interest. Many students have
no idea about what nurses really do. They do
not realize the level of education, critical
thinking, commitment, and interpersonal skills
necessary to become a competent, qualified nurse.
A secondary goal of the program is to help the
students appreciate that what they are learning
in school, particularly in math and science,
is relevant to a career in nursing. Sometimes,
students come to realize that nursing may not
be what they want and that is just as important
a revelation to the students and their families.
Students accepted into the program must demonstrate
a high maturity level, enthusiasm and self motivation.
They are expected to ask appropriate questions
so they can make informed decisions about their
college and career choices. Once accepted into
the program, students come to the hospital on
their own time after school or on days that school
is closed. Usually they commit to 20-30 hours
either in the fall or spring.
Students interested in additional information
about the Career Exploration Program for Nursing
should contact their district's school to career
counselor.
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