The Academy is designed to help students learn why they should choose nursing as a career. Students and parents who attend will have an opportunity to explore the many roles and choices available in nursing programs, including the Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse and Master of Nursing Science. They also will hear about "a day in the life" of various nursing professionals and participate in experiential learning activities, including hands-on clinical skills.

Nursing 2020, Southeastern Missouri, is a coalition of several Southeastern Missouri health care organizations and schools which educates the public and interested students about nursing career opportunities and resources available for nursing education.

Throughout the day, high school students will hear from a number of nursing professionals representing Southeast Missouri State University Department of Nursing, Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing, Three Rivers Community College Department of Nursing, the Sikeston Public Schools Practical Nurse Program, Intracorp, Saint Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri, Missouri Delta Medial Center, Three Rivers Healthcare Medical Center, MedStop One and ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.

The day's events will get under way at 9 a.m. with registration and a keynote address, by Bobbi Morris, family nurses practitioner and Southeast Missouri State University faculty member. A nursing panel composed of an emergency room nurse, an intensive care unit nurse, a nurse practitioner, a case manager and a women's health professional will discuss opportunities in nursing. Clinical skills labs will be offered, providing information to students about ear, nose and throat assessments and vital signs. They also will learn about cardiovascular and respiratory assessments and why nurses need math. Students will participate in a mock operating room and will hear about medical air services, trauma nursing, career paths, financial aid opportunities, the State of Missouri Primo Scholars Program and regional nursing programs.

Students will have the opportunity to browse through exhibits throughout the day. A working lunch is planned for 11:15 to noon. An awards ceremony will end the day's events at 4:30 p.m.

This one-day experiential Academy is free, compliments of the membership of Nursing 2020, Southeastern Missouri. Facilitating the Academy is the Southeastern Missouri Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). For more information on the Academy, call (573) 785-2444 or e-mail mailto:teresam@ims-1.com.