On November 13, Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale will be holding its 12th annual Day in the Life of a Nurse career day for high school students. This year we are expanding the program to offer a multi-disciplinary overview of many other healthcare professions.In addition to nursing, healthcare is already in the midst of shortages in other fields including radiology and surgical technicians as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists, among others.
When many of us think back to how we began our careers, we realize we originally had an idea of what we wanted to do but eventually transitioned into different fields of work. Today’s high school students face a huge burden as they are pressured to make early decisions regarding education and career paths. A Day in the Life of a Nurse offers information and hands- on experiences to help them make more informed decisions.
We have structured the day for the four-to-five dozen students who will attend with a brief breakfast followed by a morning session in which they will shadow a healthcare professional. After a boxed lunch, the students will be engaged in an interactive skills fair and have the opportunity to listen to and ask questions of working professionals. The professions and hospital services to be highlighted include:
Pharmacy, imaging, therapy and lab: We received enthusiastic response from Holy Cross Associates who will, for the first time, have students shadowing them through their morning.
Emergency Room: This is an annual favorite among students who witness the fast pace of the ER including EMTs bringing in patients and the vital role of the nurses.
Operating Room: Some students enjoy seeing surgeries and are amazed at new technologies, such as robotic surgeries, that are being utilized at Holy Cross.
Maternity: Students are drawn to parenting and focused care such as our rocking chairs, hand-knitted caps for the newborns and a program that gives T-shirts to the newborn’s siblings to include them in welcoming a baby brother or sister.
Comprehensive Stroke Center: Holy Cross Hospital is an Agency for Health Care Administration certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center. Using a model of the brain and a video of interventional therapies, we educate the students about groundbreaking work being done in this area.
Nursing floors and critical care areas: Holy Cross is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet Nursing facility and this is where students truly get an insider’s view into the life of a nurse as they shadow our nursing staff in every aspect of their morning.
Simulation lab: As part of the skills fair, we employ our "SimMan 3G" human patient simulator that enables us to run lifelike, complex patient scenarios. For example, last year we ran a code simulation and students witnessed the response of the primary nurse, physician and emergency team.
Best practices: Students learn the importance of handwashing and that “foaming in” and “foaming out” with hand sanitizer as they enter and leave patient rooms is of critical importance. They also learn about the use of aroma therapy in hospice and other areas.
Career opportunities: We educate students that nurses are employed in a variety of settings beyond a hospital, such as flight nurses or prison nurses. Additionally, they learn about service lines such as bariatric surgery. We also discuss employment information such as requirements for entering certain healthcare fields, salaries and benefits.
Students aren’t the only ones who benefit from this program. As healthcare professionals, we are reminded of why we entered the field and that we do make a real difference in people’s lives. The day make us feel proud of our profession and excited to encourage others to consider making healthcare a career.
