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Below is an archive of the AAMC Nursing News Letter
Spring 2009 Journal ClubSpotlight on the Next Generation of Nurses: High School Program Changes Attitudes Toward Careers in NursingSandy Fox, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. 
How many times have you heard, “Our children are our future”? This rings especially true in nursing as our country’s population ages and the nursing shortage remains unresolved. There have been a number of factors cited in the literature that are thought to contribute to the shortage: low enrollment in nursing programs, an aging workforce, changing values within the workforce, dissatisfaction with the work environment and compensation, and lack of support staff (Rivers, Tsai & Munchus, 2005). One additional factor that has received little press until recent years is the younger generation’s negative attitudes and perceptions about nursing as a career. Yeager & Cheever (2007) suggest that what adolescents want in a career is “more education, money, leadership, power and respect” (p. 452), which they do not feel a career in nursing will provide. In 1999, the Lehigh Valley area, located in eastern Pennsylvania, was experiencing a experiencing a noticeable nursing shortage that mirrored the national trend. Nursing leaders from the local university and hospital joined forces in an effort to avert a health care crisis in the community. As a result of this partnership, a residential nursing summer camp program was developed. The primary objectives of the program were: 1) to introduce high school students to nursing as a career and 2) to project a positive image of nursing. Students “observed and shadowed RNs in their clinical work environments during the morning hours. After lunch, campers attended lectures and toured clinical facilities. Guest lecturers represented a wide variety of specialty areas in nursing and spoke with the campers about their professional rewards and challenges. After returning to the campus of the host university, the campers participated in a variety of activities with university nursing faculty and nursing students, including learning hands-on basic skills in the nursing skills laboratory, obtaining their pediatric “heartsaver” certification, and participating in team-building activities and games” (Yeager & Cheever, 2007, p. 453). Program organizers conducted a descriptive study to determine the relationship between the participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward nursing before and after participation in the summer camp program. The study included 96 adolescents over a three-year period (2001-2003). A paired t-test analysis was used to compare mean scores of the pre- and post-survey results; differences in 6 of 9 items surveyed were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the students’ attitudes and perceptions improved in the following categories: “nurses are smart and well educated, have exciting jobs, can always find jobs, work with a lot of hightechnology, have flexible job hours, and are highly respected by others” (Yeager & Cheever, 2007, p. 455). While this is only one study and additional research is needed, the concept of positive role modeling has been supported in the literature as a strategy for career development and personal growth (Grossman, 2007). Read on to see how AAMC is applying this research in its own High School Health Care Exploration Program. References AAMC’s High School Health Care Exploration ProgramSandy Fox, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.  High School Health Care Exploration Program participants get a lesson in transporting patients by helicopter. The objectives of AAMC’s Nurse Support Program I (N.S.P. I) grant, better known as Project Advance, are centered around the recruitment and retention of nursing staff. In an effort to reach our community’s next generation of nurses and put research into practice, a multidisciplinary committee was formed to develop a program that would inspire young people to pursue a career in health care. In August 2008, 13 students from area high schools attended AAMC’s four-day High School Health Care Exploration Program, providing them with a first hand, behind-the-scenes look at health care careers. “I LEARNED A LOT! THIS INCREASED MY DESIRE TO BE A NURSE.”Students had opportunities to become CPR certified, practice basic assessment skills in our simulation lab, tour the ED, learn about helicopter transport and spend time with staff on various units. They enjoyed the time they spent at AAMC immensely. “I learned a lot! This increased my desire to be a nurse,” said one student. Another said, “I love AAMC and hope to come back… hopefully someday as a physician.” Two of the students have subsequently spent shadow time with physical therapy and medical staff. Several indicated they would like to return next summer to repeat the program, which will be expanded to include more students. Others plan to join our High School Volunteer Program, coordinated by Kathy McKay, M.S., E.D., manager of Volunteer Services. AAMC is in the process of developing more community outreach programs to stimulate our young community members interest in health care careers. Saisa Neel, B.S.N., R.N. coordinates Health Tours for Youth, a program that brings 16 youth from the Star Academy, an afterschool program for middle school children, to AAMC to learn about stroke and other health-related topics. In Community Health and Wellness, Ashley DeStefano, M.P.H., C.H.E.S. is working to establish a shadow day program for high school students. Program Coordinator for Project Advance, Sandy Fox, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. says, “The youth in our community have really responded to the dedication of AAMC’s staff during these programs. I thank everyone who has been involved… it is because of you that we have been so successful in our endeavor to draw young people into nursing!” |
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