Students take a crash course in a profession that needs qualified workers nationwide
Ciera Madden of Federal Way knew she wanted to be a nurse when she was 11 years old and watched a family friend have a baby. Madden was allowed to cut the baby’s umbilical cord.
Now, seven years later, Madden recalls that experience as one of the reasons she decided to pursue a nursing career. She hopes to one day become a labor and delivery nurse or an ultrasound technician. She recently served as a birthing coach for a friend who had a baby.
Last week, Madden got a taste of what a nursing career would be like at the fifth annual Nurse Camp sponsored by MultiCare Health System. More than 100 students participated in the camp from schools in King, Pierce and Thurston counties.
During the four-day program, students shadowed health care providers at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center. They practiced surgical skills such as stapling, suturing and scrubbing. They also performed a mock laparoscopic surgery removing Skittles from a mannequin using a camera and a tiny incision.
“It’s hard but it’s a lot of fun,” Madden said of the mock surgery. “Depth perception is very hard to see on there.”
One of the counselors at Madden’s school recommended she attend the nurse camp. After participating, Madden said she is more sure than ever she wants to pursue a medical career. She plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall and study nursing.
At camp, Madden learned that there is a huge team of medical professionals working in a hospital.
“There’s so much behind the scenes that you wouldn’t imagine,” she said. “Instead of just nurses, it’s so many different levels. Everyone matters.”
The goal of the nurse camp is to raise students’ interest in nursing and other medical professions, said Liesl Santkuyl, MultiCare Community Outreach Liaison. There is currently a national shortage of qualified health care workers.
Participating in nurse camp gives students an advantage on their college applications, Santkuyl said.
“This really helps them get into schools of nursing and other allied health schools,” she said. “It’s a great thing to put on their resume.”
So far, three students who participated in the nurse camp five years ago have come back to work at Tacoma General Hospital. Santkuyl said the program also aims to recruit a diverse population into medical careers.
Contact Margo Hoffman:
mhoffman@fedwaymirror.com
To learn more about nurse camp or apply for the next year’s camp, visit www.multicare.org/nursecamp or call (253) 403-1401.