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. Whether it be shadowing an RN in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) caring for patients immediately after surgery; or an RN triaging in the Emergency Department; or an oncology RN counseling a patient newly diagnosed with cancer; or an obstetrics RN assisting during the delivery of a new baby; 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 10 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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Practice Nursing The Way It Should Be!