2017 Annual Nursing Report

STRUCTURAL EMPOWERMENT

LGHM Middle School and High School Camps At a time when healthcare workers are in short supply it has never been more important to provide opportunities for the young people in our community to get an up-close look at healthcare careers. LewisGale Hospital Montgomery (LGHM) offers this opportunity to both middle school and high school students who have an interest. Camp Montgomery is a weeklong summer camp designed to give middle school students a behind-the-scenes look at a variety of hospital careers. Students explore nursing at all levels and gain insight into the daily activities of lab technicians, pharmacists, radiology technicians, and physical, occupational and speech therapists. The LGHM Nursing Career Camp targets high school juniors and seniors who want to learn more about nursing. A visit to the Radford University Nursing Simulation Lab allows the students to experience how university nursing students learn. Students are exposed to a variety of specialty nursing roles, including the role of the advanced practice nurse in the Emergency Department and in the Operating Room. The first camp was held in 2009 and interest in the camp remains high. LGHM nurses were asked if the camp should continue, since many of the nurses who share their talents with the camp are already working long hours. The response was a resounding, “yes!” LGHM nursing staff enjoy sharing their clinical expertise and passion for nursing, and they take great pride in the part they play in developing the future of nursing.

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