Judging from the enthusiasm of the middle school students who recently visited the Nursing Program at Broward College, the future of nursing is bright, despite a shortage of nurses in Florida.
The students took part in the Day in the Life of a NurseTM, a program designed for middle and high school students to get an up close and personal look at the different opportunities available in the nursing field.
Students from James S. Rickards Middle School met with and spoke to nurse educators, information systems nurses, nurse researchers, nurse administrators, and college recruiters. In addition to shadowing staff nurses and listening to various presentations, students took part in some hands-on experiences. Students learned to take a blood pressure, listened to a heartbeat through a stethoscope and spent time in simulation suites used for nurse education and testing.
The information shared at the event was eye opening for some of the students. “I thought it was very interesting because I wouldn’t think about being a nurse before,” says 13-year-old Damion Diaz. “But now I have to take this into consideration.”
The Nursing Consortium of South Florida, a non-profit coalition of hospitals, nursing schools and healthcare staffing organizations, organized the event. The group hopes to combat the state’s growing nursing shortage.
According to the Florida Center of Nursing, there were 12,000 nursing vacancies last year, double the number from 2009. As Florida’s population continues to grow and residents age with increasing numbers, the demand for healthcare services has reach critical levels, with an increased need for well-trained nurses. It takes the combined efforts of employers, higher education, and K-12 institutions to inspire younger generations to pursue nursing and enter the workforce pipeline.“This is a great opportunity to share details about the nursing profession with students especially at the age where they begin looking at career options,” says Broward College Health Sciences Simulation Center District Director Kathy King, RN, MSN. “It allows them to explore the practical areas of what we do and ask questions. We hope to be able to welcome some of them to Broward College in the future.”
Broward College Nursing has a track record of excellence educating South Florida’s healthcare providers. In addition to consistent NCLEX pass rates well above the state average, 96% of nursing students secure a job upon graduation.
In addition to its Associate in Nursing, the College offers an RN-to-BSN program with flexible course options for the working nurse. The Nursing Program will host an information session on Thursday, January 11, 2018 in Building 8, Room 232 on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus.
