Nurse camps: Are they effective in workforce development?

Background: Intensive summer camps are a strategy to recruit diverse youth grades 9-12 into nursing and health professions and meet future workforce needs. A Pacific Northwest health system has offered a nurse camp since 2004. The week-long camp is free and builds upon strong partnerships with high schools, local colleges, and universities. Activities include observation as well as hands-on participation in the daily activities of nurses and other healthcare professionals, including those in public health. Although many nurse camps exist throughout the U.S., the influence that camps have on motivating participants to enter nursing or a health care field is not known.

Purpose and Methods: A web-based survey was conducted with former nurse camp participants who were at least 18 years old to determine the long term outcomes of nurse camp.

Results: 153 former nurse camp participants completed the survey. Most respondents were white (72%), followed by Asian (10%), Black (7%) and Multiethnic (7%). Their mean age was 21 years. About 84% (n=128) were currently enrolled in higher education: 24% were pre-nursing, 38% were in nursing programs, 20% were in various health-related programs, and 18% were in other fields. 70% reported plans to pursue a nursing career in the future. For those who graduated (n=49), 43% had a nursing degree. About 88% of respondents agreed that nurse camp influenced their decision to pursue a nursing career.

Conclusion: Nurse camps can be an effective strategy to encourage high school students to seek a career in nursing and other health professions.