Students who attend will participate in experiential hands-on labs, shadow nursing professionals at Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital, and engage in academic enrichment opportunities and extra-curricular activities.

Each day of the camp will have a focus with Monday devoted to professional shadowing, Tuesday to pediatrics, Wednesday to respiratory therapy and neurology, and Thursday to cardiac care. Students who participate will learn about obstetrics, neonatal care, oxygen therapy, lung sounds, asthma, strokes, blood pressure, heart rate and heart sounds.

The camp will end Thursday with a closing ceremony, featuring a dinner for the students and their parents.

Eligible students must be in grades 9-12 and have a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale or a 7.0-7.29 on an 11.0 scale. Students must provide a letter of recommendation from their school counselor and a brief essay that explains their personal interest in the nursing profession and previous health related experiences.

The camp is being sponsored by Nursing 2020, Southeastern Missouri, 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. Facilitating the workshop is the Southeastern Missouri Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

Cost of the camp is $275, which includes a residence hall room, meals, snacks and all academic and extra-curricular activities. A limited number of sponsorships is available.

For more information, contact Teresa Murdock, Southeastern Missouri AHEC outreach coordinator, at (573) 785-5568 or e-mail teresam@ims-1.com.