Reflections from 2023 UW Nurse Camp
High school students come to campus for Nurse Camp, a free week-long camp geared towards increasing access and opportunities in nursing to a more diverse population of high school sophomores and juniors.
“It was really neat to learn experiences from other nurses and I gained a lot of knowledge about the admissions process and different options about nursing careers,” said Haley Hetzel of Enumclaw, WA, one of the 28 high school students from Washington and Oregon who came to UW School of Nurse Camp last month.
Nurse campers participate in a variety of activities like learning about infection control and proper hand washing techniques, how to take blood pressure and vitals and how to prepare for college and getting into nursing school. Also, campers participated in nursing “speed rounds,” an event where campers met and talked with nurses working in all areas of health care, including forensics, public health, emergency and research.
“My favorite event was nursing speed rounds where we sat down and chatted with 18 different nurses. Just getting that perspective opened my eyes a lot,” said Santana Apodaca of Portland, OR.
Campers also shadow nurses in various hospital units at UW Medical Center – Northwest and UW Medical Center – Montlake.
“It’s like we actually get to see the skills we’re learning in real life situations,” said Leahcim Stewart of Kirkland, WA.
Photo by Stephen Brashear
Every year high school students interested in nursing have the opportunity to attend this community focused camp. It allows the School of Nursing to build a diverse pipeline of future nurse leaders who strive to improve public health and a more equitable health care future for all people.
“I came into Nurse Camp and I knew that I liked nursing, but I definitely know this is where I belong,” said Nieves Juarez Villa of Shelton, WA.
-Kristine Wright
View Nurse Camp photos on Facebook below