Health Professions Exploration Camp opens students’ eyes to careers in healthcare

KOKOMO, Ind. - At Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo, Ava Boruff placed her first I.V. into a "patient."

Boruff and several other area students visited the hospital as part of Indiana University Kokomo's Health Professions Exploration Camp, led by the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.

"You get to have different experiences, you get to listen to people talk and you play fun games," said Boruff, entering high school this fall. "I had fun - it's not what I was expecting."

During the camp, held June 22-26, students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 were introduced to a variety of healthcare fields and related professions, from nursing and mental health, to careers in occupational and physical therapy.

Christy Douglas, director of the occupational therapy assistant program and clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy described the camp as a tool to open students' minds to the different positions in the world of healthcare.

"We know there's a need for more healthcare professionals," Douglas explained. "The goal is to educate…to give them a chance to explore different professions."

As students are beginning to decide their potential careers at earlier ages, programs like the Health Professions Exploration Camp can help guide their paths, Douglas said.

"If they have an interest in healthcare, maybe they can find something they're interested in and start to plan their high school pathways, so they can go to college," she said.

"Maybe they're not interested in nursing, but they would love to be a case manager or a social worker."

A highlight of the week for many campers was visiting Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo, where campers toured the hospital, took part in interactive learning activities, and met with professionals in a variety of disciplines.

Camper Emelia Sargent, also entering her freshman year in high school this fall, enjoyed the camp experience.

"It's a good education," she said. "It's a good opportunity to learn about different careers you could get when you are older; it can help you prepare for the future."

Sargent, who is interested in working in the mental health field, enjoyed hearing from Brian Arwood, assistant professor of nursing.

"I found that really interesting," Sargent said.

The experience was also eye-opening for the IU Kokomo students assisting in the camp.

Junior Annika Malone, who recently switched her degree path from nursing to OTA, said that she was excited to learn more about the healthcare industry.

"I was excited to learn myself, the different things that are in the healthcare field, rather than just nursing," Malone said. "There's so much more that goes into it.

Malone's favorite part of the week was watching the campers learn and ask questions.

"I didn't have this opportunity when I was their age, so it's really cool to hear their questions and see how much they already know," she said.

As the healthcare industry grows and changes, Malone said that she hopes the campers learn that it's okay to be uncertain about their futures.

"I hope that they realize it's okay to change their mind. I felt like I couldn't change my mind going from nursing to OTA, but it's okay," she said, adding the importance of starting early. "It's a benefit for sure."

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