Boot Camp

ULM Nursing Hold Camp For Students

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA OF MONROE’S KITTY DeGree School of Nursing recently organized its second annual nursing boot camp for high school students from June 6-9, 2023. With participants from across the state, the camp welcomed a total of 51 students.

Over the course of four days, the camp provided hands-on experiences in a wide range of nursing skills. The activities included learning to take vital signs, caring for different patient populations, practicing IV insertion, and even engaging in simulated surgical scenarios.

Dr. Kathy Kennedy, Associate Director of Graduate Nursing at ULM, expressed the motivation behind hosting the nursing boot camp, stating, “When we engage in recruitment events, we discover that many high school students have a desire to pursue a career in which they can make a difference in people’s lives. However, what they often haven’t explored yet are the vast opportunities available in the nursing profession.”

The nursing boot camp aimed to expose high school students to various nursing specialties, including emergency care, maternity, pediatrics, surgical care, ICU, medical-surgical, cardiac care, mental health, neonatal care, and more. Dr. Kennedy mentioned the involvement of dedicated faculty volunteers from each specialty who shared their experiences and facilitated camp activities.

On the final day of the camp, June 9th, the participants had a unique opportunity to take part in an Emergency Disaster Drill. Collaborating with the Louisiana Emergency Response Network, ULM Police, Monroe Fire Department, and Acadian Ambulance Service, the drill simulated a vehicle crash involving a City of Monroe bus and car. ULM staff and nursing students acted as “victims,” while the student campers assessed and triaged them. The drill also served as a joint training exercise for local first responders, and the Monroe Fire Department demonstrated an emergency vehicle extraction, using a vehicle provided by Bear’s Towing and Recovery.

According to Amy Kincannon, Assistant Professor of Nursing at ULM, participating in emergency drills involving multiple entities is crucial as it enhances preparedness during actual emergencies. She emphasized the importance of such drills in increasing the proficiency of the local emergency response community. Kincannon also expressed hope that the experience sparked the interest of the high school participants in pursuing careers in the field.

Dr. Kennedy highlighted the growth of the camp in its second year, including the provision of on-campus housing for participants from outside the area. Additionally, sponsorships were available for student tuition and the purchase of medical supplies. Several hospitals donated expired medical supplies to help minimize camp costs. Dr. Kennedy mentioned that each year, the camp strives to involve more community partners to broaden participants’ knowledge of potential employment opportunities.

The Kitty DeGree School of Nursing Boot Camp welcomes high school students who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and are at least 14 years old.