Nurse Academy: Explore the Future of Nursing

Nurse Academy is designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals by offering a comprehensive, hands-on experience in nursing. This immersive one-day program introduces high school and college students to the diverse and rewarding career opportunities within the nursing field. Participants will engage in practical nursing skills, discover various nursing specialties, and gain an insider's perspective on patient care through guided tours of multiple hospital departments.

Nurse Academy 2025 Dates:

• June 5th, 2025
• June 12th, 2025
• July 10th, 2025

Sessions are held in-person, on-site, beginning at 7:30 AM. Participants will receive a t-shirt upon arrival to wear for the day.

Application to Nurse Academy:

Applications open on March 12, 2025.

2025 Nurse Academy Application

The application includes the following sections:

1. Applicant Information
2. Written Essay (500-word max) responding to the given prompt.

Each session accommodates up to 50 students, and due to the high volume of interest, a waitlist will be established. Applicants will be notified via email regarding their acceptance status or placement on the waitlist.

What to Expect at Nurse Academy:

At Nurse Academy, students will hear from experienced nurses, participate in a hands-on skills lab, and practice critical nursing procedures such as starting an IV, using proper PPE, and performing CPR. In addition, they will tour various locations within The University of Kansas Health System, exploring specialized care areas like trauma services, the newborn nursery, intensive care units, cardiac services, medical/surgical units, ambulatory care, and the operating room. This is a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the healthcare environment and learn about the essential roles nurses play in each department.

Nurse Academy Participant Comments

• "I learned more about what it will take to be a nurse and what I should focus on in school to have a career in the medical field.”
• "I learned more about the responsibilities of a nurse and how much fun it can be.”
• "I’ve gained a greater knowledge of the overall job of nurses.”
• "I learned that there are a lot of different areas in nursing. You can take so many different avenues. You can always do something different. I learned how specialized and difficult nursing can be! This only makes me want to explore more!”

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many students can attend Nurse Academy?

To ensure a hands-on, immersive experience, we accept up to 50 students per session. With three sessions available, nearly 150 students will have the opportunity to participate. We intentionally keep the session sizes small to encourage more individual engagement and a personalized learning environment.

Who leads Nurse Academy?

Nurses and nursing leaders from The University of Kansas Health System volunteer their time.

How much does it cost to attend Nurse Academy?

There is no cost to participate in Nurse Academy thanks to the generous donors to the program and volunteers who take part in making Nurse Academy a great experience for all.

What types of nursing areas will participants learn about?

Participants may learn about the following areas of nursing:

• Medical-Surgical
• Burn & Trauma
• Cardiology
• Ambulatory and Outpatient
• Emergency Department
• Infection Prevention & Control
• Labor and Delivery
• Mother/Baby
• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Oncology
• Operating Room & Perioperative
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• And more!

What are some of the hands-on experiences?

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• PPE donning and doffing
• Infection prevention
• Starting an IV and Blood Draws

Can I attend multiple sessions of Nurse Academy?

Due to the high volume of interest, we are unable to allow participation in multiple sessions. Our goal is to give as many individuals as possible the opportunity to take part, and limiting attendance to one session per participant helps us achieve this.

Can I take pictures during Nurse Academy?

For privacy and confidentiality reasons, participants are not permitted to take photos with personal cameras or phones during the program. However, Nurse Academy faculty will be capturing images throughout the day, and participants will be provided with access to these photos after the event.

Do I need to bring my lunch?

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for participants of Nurse Academy, thanks to the generosity of our donors. There is no need to bring your own meals unless you have a specific food allergy. There will be a gluten free option.

Still have questions?

Please email nurseacademy@kumc.edu.

Patient Care Assistant

Within the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) program is a newly created position, the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) intern. The PCA interns are not required to hold a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential prior to hiring. The program includes 3 weeks of onboarding training.

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