Nursing camp in Bethel attracts 14 'campers' to learn about the profession
by Kathleen McCoy |
From l-r, Myka Kernak, Riana Joseph, Douglas Kylook, Alicia Oscar, Alize McCabe, Tyann Miller, all nursing "campers" this August in Bethel.
Annette Rearden and Mary Weiss, two nursing professors, had a dream: Hold a nursing camp in Bethel, Alaska, to interest young people there in becoming nurses, right where they live.
This dream mirrors a goal of the UAA College of Health, to inspire young people in rural Alaska to realize they can study right where they live, and become professionals after they graduate. Read more about the overall mission for UAA's "health campus" here.
The first nursing camp in Bethel was held in 2012, and because of its success, the founders held one again this pas August. Fourteen students, ages 14-26, and most in high school, signed on as "campers." Some were already sure they wanted to be nurses; others wanted to find out more.
Annette and Mary produced a colorful newsletter describing the events and sharing beautiful pictures of the Bethel area and of the engaged student campers. This six-page PDF is an inspiring tribute to the students, and to the many supporters who came forward to help the camp's success.
Here's just a sample from the newsletter:
Upterrlainarluta, a Yup'ik Eskimo word meaning preparation or always getting ready. This was the name we gave the Bethel Nursing Camp 2013, a theme to share with the students and a concept to carry for life. The name highlights the goal and mission of the camp: to recruit, encourage, and educate local individuals about the nursing profession to increase the number of nurses who can provide culturally competent health care to the community and beyond.
Want to feel inspired? Read more here!
"Nursing camp in Bethel attracts 14 'campers' to learn about the profession" is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.