The Nightingale Experience: Inspiring Future Nurses
On November 11, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) and Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) concluded their 2024 Nightingale Experience series with an event designed to spark high school sophomores’ and juniors’ interest in nursing careers. This final session, prior to the year’s end, welcomed eight students, providing them with a unique insight into the healthcare field.
Named after Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, the Nightingale Experience aims to introduce young aspirants to both the nursing profession and college life. The day-long event splits into two informative sessions focusing on educational and practical aspects of nursing.
The morning begins at FHSU, where nursing faculty members guide students through the university’s curriculum. Participants receive a tour of classrooms and the state-of-the-art simulation lab, which plays a crucial role in their training as future nurses. This firsthand look at the academic environment helps demystify the college experience and underlines the rigorous preparation involved in a nursing career.
In the afternoon, the venue shifts to HaysMed, where the students get a taste of a nurse’s daily life. They rotate through various units such as the Cath Lab, Critical Care Progressive Unit (CPCU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Operating Room (OR), Special Nurse Services, Emergency Room (ER), Medical Oncology, Surgical, and Acute Care departments. Shadowing professional nurses, the participants learn about the challenges and rewards of different nursing specialties.
Special recognition is due to the FHSU nursing faculty and the HaysMed education department team, along with the various clinical units that generously shared their time and expertise to make this event a success. Their commitment greatly enhances the educational experience, providing invaluable real-world insights to the students.
The Nightingale Experience not only offers a comprehensive overview of the nursing field but also inspires students to consider a profession that is as demanding as it is rewarding. By providing these young individuals with exposure to real-world clinical settings and educational pathways, the program aims to cultivate the next generation of healthcare heroes.
For more information, visit FHSU’s Nightingale Experience page.
