PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JACKSON (July 6, 2006) - Gear Up Mississippi in partnership with the Mississippi Delta Community College, Mississippi Hospital Association Health Careers Center and the Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce hosted the first annual Dream Big – Be a Nurse Camp on June 18th-23rd at Mississippi Delta Community College. The Dream Big – Be a Nurse Camp was a six-day summer enrichment program designed to help address future healthcare needs by attracting high school students into the nursing profession. The goal of the camp was to increase students understanding of the nursing profession and their understanding of the educational preparedness required for the profession. It was also designed to boost self confidence in students about attending college and to dispel any misconceptions and fears about college.

 

Seventeen students throughout the state of Mississippi attended the event including: Kanisha Baker, Greenwood High School; Doris Bonilla, East Marion High School; Tajuana Glass, Ruleville Central High School; Jocelyn Haley, Ruleville Central High School; Whitney Hargrett, Leland High School; Lydia Hill, Columbus High School; Lauren Hurst, East Marion High School; Gabrielle Jones, Wingfield High School; Tashana Minton, Ruleville High School; Brittany Murphy, Columbus High School; Gwenshekia Richardson, Simmons High School; Sarita Robinson, Ruleville Central High School; Brittany Smith, Gentry High School; Chelsie Stevenson, Columbus High School; Shucora Walker, Clarksdale High School; Kiera Weaver, Columbus High School and Jaszmine Willis of Columbus High School.

 

Each day the students were given the opportunity to hear presentations from individuals of different healthcare professions; such as, nursing, dental hygiene, and other allied health professions. The students were also given an opportunity to job shadow different healthcare professionals from 3 hospitals in the Mississippi Delta. Participating hospitals include: Delta Regional Medical Center, Greenwood Leflore Hospital and South Sunflower County Hospital. The students were also taught CPR and tips on taking the ACT.

 

Based on the knowledge gained during the week, the students were required to do a group presentation for an audience of their peers and a panel of judges. This experience provided students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the vast opportunities in nursing and gain awareness in healthcare fields that might otherwise be unknowledgeable.

 

For pictures of the camp activities, please click here. If you are interested in learning more about The Dream Big – Be a Nurse Camp, please contact Melissa Brewer at (601) 982-3251 or Rosalyn Howard at (601) 954-0759.