UH Future Nurse Academy Expands to Three Locations, Offering High School Students Hands-On Nursing Experience

On June 11, Cleveland-based University Hospitals (UH) announced it is expanding the UH Future Nurse Academy to three locations this summer. The program, which was introduced last year, is a two-week paid summer program designed to expose high school students to a career in nursing.

UH has partnered with local colleges to have an Academy on the east side, west side and a central location to make it more accessible for students.

“The UH Future Nurse Academy sets students up for success by connecting them with UH clinicians and partners, and providing an array of opportunities for hands-on learning. The Academy builds on students’ existing skills to help them navigate healthcare career paths following high school graduation,” said Michelle Hereford, MSHA, RN, FACHE, system chief nurse executive and Ethel Morikis Endowed Chair in Nursing Leadership.

The press release says that “Each of the three Academy’s itineraries include visits to nursing schools in the Cleveland area, tours of UH facilities, in-person nursing skills training, as well as:

• “Hands-on practice taking vital signs, administering CPR and drawing (simulated) blood
• Approaches to problem-solving, critical thinking, executive functioning, and social and emotional skills necessary for success
• Health and wellness best practices
• Simulation lab and clinical experiences
• Best practices and strategies to address social determinants of health”