MoWest nursing camp gives middle school students hands-on experience

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Local middle school students attended the Missouri Western State University Griffon Nurse Training Camp Monday morning.

The camp, sponsored by the MoWest Department of Nursing and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation, will introduce participants to the nursing profession and allow them to gain experience with hands-on skills.

More than 50 students from area middle schools attended the Griffon Nurse Training Camp, including students from the St. Joseph School District, Savannah R-III School District, Avenue City R-IX School District, Mid-Buchanan R-V School District and St. Joseph Christian School.

The students were divided into five groups and rotated through stations for hands-on training. In the afternoon, an ambulance crew, a transport nurse and RO staff from Mosaic brought a laparoscopic surgery trainer for students to practice with.

MoWest Assistant Professor Laura Nold said Mosaic has been a major partner for the camp and has provided financial support.

"We wanted to ensure that campers who wanted to come were able to come so if we have campers that can't afford that price of camp they've helped with that," Nold said. "They've helped with providing lunches, t-shirts and stethoscopes for campers."

The camp gives students the chance to understand what nursing actually is.

"Exposing them to all the things nursing entails, so they get to see and practice critical care nursing, they get to be exposed to flight nursing, they get exposed to pediatrics and basic assessment skills," Nold said.

7th grade student, Isabelle Jones spoke about why she joined the Griffon Nurse Training Camp.

"Last year, my mom told me (my friends) were going to do it," she said. I wanted to do it and I just decided to come back this year because I liked it last year."

Another 7th grade student Kaylyn Zellmer said the camp has made her more interested in becoming a nurse.

"It's definitely been fun learning about all the patients and everything we do here," she said.

MoWest Nursing Student, Taylor Laumbard said she decided to volunteer for the camp because she enjoy working with kids.

"I really enjoy coming to the nursing school at Missouri Western," she said. I think it's a great nursing program so it's always good to have kids come and give them a good opportunity while there here at a good nursing program."

Lambard said she hopes the students experienced a fun environment while at the camp.