Austin Peay State University to host summer camp for high school students aspiring to nursing careers

Austin Peay State University is launching its inaugural “Do You Want to be a Nurse?” summer camp, aimed at high school students who are considering a career in nursing. The week-long camp takes place from May 28-May 31 and will give potential future nurses the chance to experience nursing simulations and hands-on training provided by nursing faculty from the university.

According to an article on Austin Peay State University’s website, Dr. Eve Rice, who serves as the director of the School of Nursing, was quoted as saying of the upcoming camp, “The School of Nursing faculty are over the moon for the first nursing camp to embark on Austin Peay’s campus this May. The nursing camp will have profound opportunities for high school students to experience healthcare by touring patient care areas at Tennova Healthcare medical center, participating in simulation scenarios and building relationships among student nurses.”

The nursing camp will provide the participating high schoolers, who will have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, with numerous valuable experiences for those who are considering pursuing nursing after finishing high school. Students will be able to hear from local healthcare professionals during nursing information sessions and guest speaker panels, participate in field trips to local healthcare facilities, and learn hands-on skills that will be important in their future careers, such as first aid and CPR.

Dr. Kristen Butler, who is an associate professor of nursing at Austin Peay State University, as well as lead faculty for the Nursing Summer Camp, explained that this summer camp is a vital opportunity to anyone considering a future in nursing. “Camp participants will gain valuable insight into the nursing profession, helping them make an informed decision about their future career path," she said.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation and the Tennessee Nurses Association/Tennessee Nurses Foundation are the sponsors of the Nursing Summer Camp. Additionally, the summer camp has partnered with Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville to give the high schoolers the “Tennova VIP Experience.”

Current students in the nursing program at Austin Peay State University will be participating in the camp, as well, by providing the high school camp participants with a simulation experience that will take place in the Simulation Lab in the School of Nursing. 

For more information about Austin Peay State University, visit the school’s website.