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Recommended Citation
Leistico K. Dynamic Partnerships: Inspiring Tomorrow's Healthcare Heroes. Professional Development poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Professional Development poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background/Introduction: Workforce gaps are predicted to increase by 2040 for RNs and other clinical professions. Healthcare organizations will need a diverse and well-prepared generation to enter the workforce. Programs aimed at introducing underrepresented adolescents to healthcare careers have been implemented to recruit this next generation. Clinical professionals who return to their underserved communities directly impact access and satisfaction of underrepresented populations.
Purpose: Healthcare Explorers Reaching Occupations (HERO) camps introduce diverse underrepresented adolescents to careers, aiming to build awareness and inspire future paths. Objectives include stimulating clinical career interest, understanding academic pathways, and networking with community partners.
Method or Evaluation: Nursing professional development specialists formed and led collaborative partnerships with external community adolescent empowerment organizations, volunteer services leadership, and multiple groups of diverse clinical professionals (nursing, laboratory, surgical services, rehabilitation therapies, imaging, respiratory therapy, simulation specialists, pharmacy). Seventeen diverse middle school girls and twenty-one Black and Latino high school boys attended the camps. Each discipline provided age-appropriate, interactive learning tailored to highlight the presenter’s clinical specialty and personal career journey. Participants rotated through stations to engage in hands-on skill stations like mock code, surgical removal of kidney stones, and blood pressure screening. Pre and post surveys were administered.
Results: Evaluations indicate a significant rise in interest in health care careers, with understanding of patient care increasing from 34.7% to 83.0% and knowledge of career options rising from 35.2% to 82.9%. Qualitative feedback shows high satisfaction with interactive sessions, engagement with healthcare professionals, and desires for future offerings and additional specialties.
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Early exposure to healthcare occupations through programs like the HERO camp positively influence the future workforce. The camp can be adapted for both urban and rural youth through collaboration with community and educational organizations. Monitoring participant enrollment in post-secondary healthcare courses offers an opportunity to measure return on investment and workforce impact.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Dynamic Partnerships: Inspiring Tomorrow's Healthcare Heroes
Background/Introduction: Workforce gaps are predicted to increase by 2040 for RNs and other clinical professions. Healthcare organizations will need a diverse and well-prepared generation to enter the workforce. Programs aimed at introducing underrepresented adolescents to healthcare careers have been implemented to recruit this next generation. Clinical professionals who return to their underserved communities directly impact access and satisfaction of underrepresented populations.
Purpose: Healthcare Explorers Reaching Occupations (HERO) camps introduce diverse underrepresented adolescents to careers, aiming to build awareness and inspire future paths. Objectives include stimulating clinical career interest, understanding academic pathways, and networking with community partners.
Method or Evaluation: Nursing professional development specialists formed and led collaborative partnerships with external community adolescent empowerment organizations, volunteer services leadership, and multiple groups of diverse clinical professionals (nursing, laboratory, surgical services, rehabilitation therapies, imaging, respiratory therapy, simulation specialists, pharmacy). Seventeen diverse middle school girls and twenty-one Black and Latino high school boys attended the camps. Each discipline provided age-appropriate, interactive learning tailored to highlight the presenter’s clinical specialty and personal career journey. Participants rotated through stations to engage in hands-on skill stations like mock code, surgical removal of kidney stones, and blood pressure screening. Pre and post surveys were administered.
Results: Evaluations indicate a significant rise in interest in health care careers, with understanding of patient care increasing from 34.7% to 83.0% and knowledge of career options rising from 35.2% to 82.9%. Qualitative feedback shows high satisfaction with interactive sessions, engagement with healthcare professionals, and desires for future offerings and additional specialties.
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Early exposure to healthcare occupations through programs like the HERO camp positively influence the future workforce. The camp can be adapted for both urban and rural youth through collaboration with community and educational organizations. Monitoring participant enrollment in post-secondary healthcare courses offers an opportunity to measure return on investment and workforce impact.
Affiliations
Aurora St Luke's Medical Center