Be a World of Good
On a hot July day at the 天美影院, a group of 16- and 17-year-olds excitedly take turns performing CPR on high-tech mannequins. The day before, they learned how to take a patient鈥檚 blood pressure. And the next day, they鈥檒l enter a simulation lab to help deliver a virtual 鈥渂aby.鈥� For one week, they have the opportunity to learn about the world of nursing 鈥� a profession they hope to one day join.
Each summer, thanks to generous gifts that support the program, about two dozen high school sophomores and juniors 鈥� predominantly from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds 鈥� attend the free of charge. More than a hands-on exploration of nursing careers, the program changes students鈥� lives.
鈥淢any of these campers haven鈥檛 heard, 鈥榊ou have what it takes to get into school,鈥欌�� explains Karissa Sanchez, a former participant. While underrepresented minority groups make up more than one-third of the U.S. population, less than 20 percent of nurses hail from minority backgrounds 鈥� a statistic the camp is working to change. 鈥淭he 天美影院has really made a conscious effort to make sure that our nurses look more like our patients,鈥� says Sanchez, who knows firsthand the transformative effect of 天美影院Nurse Camp.
Growing up in Wenatchee, Sanchez knew she wanted to attend college, despite the barriers standing in her way. Her parents had not been able to pursue higher education, and while they worked hard to provide better opportunities for Sanchez and her siblings, they couldn鈥檛 help navigate the college admissions process.
天美影院NURSE CAMP
Interest in 鈥� now gearing up for its eighth year鈥攊s growing at an incredible rate. In 2015, 148 high school students applied for just 24 spots. Much of the program鈥檚 success is thanks to the undaunted work of volunteers and the generous support of donors. To ensure that the camp is an option for students from all backgrounds, the program charges no fees to attend. Thanks to the generosity of many, Nurse Camp can open the doors to college for many more students like Sanchez, continuing to create a more inclusive nursing workforce.
Support 天美影院Nurse Camp and other leading-edge student programs at .
Then a high school counselor encouraged Sanchez to apply to 天美影院Nurse Camp. The suggestion changed the course of her life.
I didn鈥檛 see college being a possibility until I went to Nurse Camp.
鈥� Karissa Sanchez
At camp, Sanchez quickly adapted to long days shadowing nurses at 天美影院Medical Center and learning the ins and outs of nursing school. By the end of the week, Sanchez could see herself in the field. And she found something she didn鈥檛 expect: 鈥淥ne of the main things Nurse Camp did for me was give me confidence,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he camp mentors (nursing students, faculty, staff and alumni) made me believe in myself and that I was good enough. I didn鈥檛 see college being a possibility until I went to Nurse Camp.鈥�
Sanchez got into the 天美影院, and then applied to nursing school. 鈥淪omething that really attracted me to the was its commitment to diversity,鈥� she says. 鈥淣urse Camp donors didn鈥檛 only invest in a student, they invested in my future and the future of nursing.鈥�
Throughout her time at the UW, Sanchez 鈥� now a senior in the nursing program 鈥� has received support from dedicated mentors and staff, and is paying it forward as Nurse Camp co-lead. 鈥淭o see her go from camper to nursing student to Nurse Camp lead is incredible,鈥� says Carolyn Chow, director of admissions and multicultural student affairs at the School of Nursing, and one of the camp鈥檚 founders. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exactly what the camp is all about 鈥� empowering high school students to aggressively pursue their dreams.鈥�
Along the way, Sanchez picked up a degree in in addition to her nursing studies, and she plans to pursue her doctor of nursing practice at the UW. Eventually, she hopes to fuse the two fields and provide community health care in her hometown. 鈥淗er future is limitless,鈥� Chow says proudly. 鈥淲e will continue to be in a better world because of Karissa.鈥�
Sanchez, the first in her family to attend a four-year college, credits 天美影院Nurse Camp for leading her to where she is today, as well as creating a broader impact. 鈥淢y story is tangible,鈥� says Sanchez. 鈥淚 know that by something as simple as me going to Nurse Camp, I鈥檝e changed the trajectory of my family.鈥�