OHIO Chillicothe’s Bobcat Nursing Camp lets area high school students explore nursing careers

A group of high school students from Fairfield, Franklin, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties gathered at Ohio University Chillicothe on Friday, June 26 for Bobcat Nursing Camp.

This engaging one-day camp offered a unique and interactive career exploration experience for students aspiring to a nursing or healthcare career.

At the Bobcat Nursing Camp, OHIO Chillicothe nursing faculty and students led the participants through a series of demonstrations and experiential learning opportunities designed to help them experience and learn about the nursing profession.

Participants engaged in hands-on activities designed to teach and practice various nursing skills, including vital signs and hand hygiene, physical assessment and stethoscope placement, wound assessment, sterile gloving and suture removal, neonatal care, and personal protective equipment. Students practiced proper handwashing, taking vital signs and listening for pulses on manikins in simulation suites and skills labs.

The camp aims to inspire students by providing them with a real-world glimpse into the medical field. 

Marley Jones, a senior from Teays Valley High School, appreciated the opportunity to learn new skills and explore nursing as she prepares for her next steps after high school.

“As someone who doesn't know what they want to do, but wants to go into nursing, this really opened my eyes to all the possibilities and has given me a lot to think about,” Jones said.

Kailey Renko, a junior at Amanda-Clearcreek High School, said she enjoyed participating in the Bobcat Nursing Camp at OHIO Chillicothe and learning about the different career paths available in the field. Renko hopes to become a labor and delivery nurse.

Bobcat Nursing Camp was not only a learning opportunity for high school students exploring nursing careers but also for the OHIO Chillicothe nursing students who helped facilitate the day’s activities. 

Terrell Francis, a Licensed Practical Nurse pursuing the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, said the camp was a great learning opportunity for the nursing student leaders as well as the high school students who attended. 

“We just did head-to-toe assessments two weeks ago, so it was cool to be able to teach people what we just learned,” Francis explained. “Teaching them helps show what I’ve learned.”

The day included a question-and-answer session featuring advice from current nursing students. Instructors also provided tips for succeeding in nursing school.

“Bobcat Nursing Camp is a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of healthcare, gain hands-on experience and discover the passion that drives the nursing profession,” said Lindsey Shotts, associate director of the School of Nursing at OHIO Chillicothe. “Nurses love teaching other nurses about this meaningful and rewarding career, and we were excited to welcome students for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration.”

OHIO Chillicothe’s Bobcat Nursing Camp was made possible by Ohio University’s Regional Higher Education Workforce Success Initiative. The Workforce Success Initiative is dedicated to enhancing workforce development by empowering individuals, supporting professional growth and driving positive change in local economies.