BRUNSWICK — Brantley County High School students Clayton Barker and Summer Corbitt were a part of 38 high school students who participated in the fourth annual Nurse Camp Hosted by the College of Coastal Georgia.
Participants from as far as Washington state gathered in Brunswick for the event partnered with Southeast Georgia Health System. The five-day interactive experience offered aspiring nurses a hands-on introduction to the field.
Designed for high school juniors and seniors, Nurse Camp provides immersive learning opportunities in clinical care, nursing specialties and health care collaboration. Campers engaged in activities such as taking vital signs, performing CPR, treating wounds, assisting with mobility, and identifying blood types.
Students also toured Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick campus, where they observed specialty areas and had two opportunities to shadow nurses.
“This immersive program offers participants a rare opportunity to practice clinical skills typically reserved for nursing school, engage in complex medical scenarios within our state-of-the-art simulation lab, and shadow professional nurses in hospital settings,” said Dr. Lydia Watkins, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and Southeast Georgia Health System distinguished chair. “Through these experiences, students gain valuable insight into patient care and begin to explore whether a career in nursing is the right path for them.”
Stacie Conley, clinical lecturer of nursing and director of Nurse Camp, said the hands-on activities are chosen based on what instructors are most passionate and knowledgeable about, as well as feedback from past participants.
At the end of each camp, students are asked what they want to learn more about or which skills they’d like to explore further. Conley said her favorite part of Nurse Camp is seeing students’ “aha” moments.
“It’s exciting to watch campers light up when something clicks — whether they’re learning a new skill or working through a health care challenge,” said Conley. “Seeing them get handson and really engaged is the best part.”
Cynde Gamache, chief nursing officer at Southeast Georgia Health System, said Nurse Camp gives students a special opportunity to explore their interests.
“The summer Nurse Camp program provides a unique experience for students to shadow clinical staff and receive exposure to clinical care in simulated settings at CCGA, as well as real-life environments at SGHS,” Gamache said. “The Nurse Camp program has been incredibly beneficial in stimulating interest in the profession of nursing and all of the unique opportunities it has to offer.
“We are so grateful for this partnership with CCGA and our united commitment to meeting the care needs of our community. Efforts like this ensure a robust nursing talent pipeline for our community in the future.”
As part of the camp, students participated in a community service project with Family Connection of Glynn County. Family Connection is a collaborative organization that includes representatives from state and local agencies, nonprofits, and other community groups serving students in Glynn who have experienced trauma.
Campers assembled care kits as part of Family Connection’s Hand With Care initiative, which provides children with basic hygiene items. Each kit also included a handwritten note of encouragement from the campers.
Ashley Jackson, executive director of Family Connection of Glynn County, said that when Nurse Camp reached out about doing a community project, she felt the care kits were a perfect fit.
“The more hands, the lighter the load, and this collaboration with the College of Coastal Georgia’s Nurse Camp proved just that,” Jackson said. “We are so grateful that their students chose to support our Hand With Care initiative, which ensures children impacted by trauma receive compassion and basic resources, like hygienic supplies.
“This kind of hands-on community engagement shows these future health care professionals just how powerful it is to give back.”
Through hands-on learning, interactive activities and community service, Nurse Camp continues to inspire the next generation of compassionate health care professionals ready to make a difference.
For more information, contact Tiffany King at [email protected].
