UM-Flint Nursing develops next generation of health care leaders at summer camp

High school students from across the United States traveled to the University of Michigan-Flint's William S. White Building last month to participate in a two-day camp hosted by the School of Nursing. The "Future Nurse Summer Camp" featured events led by UM-Flint nursing faculty, staff and volunteers with direct working knowledge of the evolving field of nursing.

Day one of the program had campers split into three groups to participate in activities including an escape room, presentations on topics such as the use of alternative health practices, and techniques and lessons on basic CPR.

*Campers learned about the use of aromatherapy in patient care during the Future Nurse Summer Camp.*

While there was an emphasis on exploring new practices in nursing, SON continued the tradition of previous years' camps where students were given the opportunity for a comprehensive walk-through tour of the school's Center for Simulation and Clinical Innovation during the first day of camp.

During the second day, campers were given important lessons inside the CSCI facility including "stop the bleed" techniques, understanding vital signs, and checking cholesterol levels.

"The biggest positive of having our state-of-the-art CSCI is it gives us all the tools we need to further student education," said James McTiernan, biomedical engineering technician for the CSCI lab. "The SON-CSCI stands out among other nursing programs due to our highly trained, fully certified staff who are focused on student success."

You can view a tour of the second floor of the CSCI lab here.

SON plans to build on the success of these summer camps, with new offerings already being planned for next year's camp, in order to stay on the cutting-edge of nursing trends and practices.

*The SON staff, faculty, volunteers, and campers took a group picture to close out the two-day event.*

"We wanted the campers to get a realistic experience of what nursing is and what it can be," said Cynthia McCurren, dean of SON. "Being able to go beyond the classroom by engaging them in active learning was the main goal of the program. I am very grateful for the efforts of faculty and staff who made this event such a tremendous success."

Be sure to check out the SON's Facebook or Instagram for more pictures from the event, and stay up to date on all upcoming events.

To learn more about UM-Flint's School of Nursing, visit its webpage.