An event in its first year is giving students from Grace James Academy in Louisville a closer look into the healthcare industry.”Our mission is to empower, activate, and illuminate academic excellence in each and every girl that comes to our space,” said Melanie Page-Hayden, assistant principal.On Wednesday, Page-Hayden said those words to a crowd of health professionals planning to speak to her students about the industry. The nurses were some of the best in the country, and a part of the Humana Nursing Advisory Council.The students were split into groups and learned the steps needed to become a nurse through educational activities, hands-on activities and by listening to personal stories.Humana chief nursing officer, Kathy Driscoll, said even though the students that visited are middle school students, the event was all about planting a seed.”There’s a nursing shortage in every practice area,” said Driscoll. “We can’t just look at the people who already chose this career ; we need to widen our rage.”For Driscoll, widening the range also means aiming for diversity. According to the National Council State Boards of Nursing, roughly four out of every five (80.4%) nurses in America identify as White/Caucasian. Driscoll believes when it comes to finding the next generation of nurses, diversity is one of the keys because of the value it holds in the workplace.”When you go into my doctor’s office, you’ll see that a majority of the people are people of color,” said Hailey Chandler, seventh-grade student. “That’s because of the neighborhood I live in. When I go there, I feel less shy than like, a hospital. I think it’s because when you have someone who looks like you, that’s like taking care of you, you have a connection with them.” This is why Chandler is considering entering the industry because she knows the effect it’ll have on girls like her.”We inform them,” said Page-Hayden. “They know they are needed, and so when they make that decision, they can make it to impact the world.”
An event in its first year is giving students from Grace James Academy in Louisville a closer look into the healthcare industry.
“Our mission is to empower, activate, and illuminate academic excellence in each and every girl that comes to our space,” said Melanie Page-Hayden, assistant principal.
On Wednesday, Page-Hayden said those words to a crowd of health professionals planning to speak to her students about the industry. The nurses were some of the best in the country, and a part of the Humana Nursing Advisory Council.
The students were split into groups and learned the steps needed to become a nurse through educational activities, hands-on activities and by listening to personal stories.
Humana chief nursing officer, Kathy Driscoll, said even though the students that visited are middle school students, the event was all about planting a seed.
“There’s a nursing shortage in every practice area,” said Driscoll. “We can’t just look at the people who already chose this career [college students]; we need to widen our rage.”
For Driscoll, widening the range also means aiming for diversity. According to the National Council State Boards of Nursing, roughly four out of every five (80.4%) nurses in America identify as White/Caucasian.
Driscoll believes when it comes to finding the next generation of nurses, diversity is one of the keys because of the value it holds in the workplace.
“When you go into my doctor’s office, you’ll see that a majority of the people are people of color,” said Hailey Chandler, seventh-grade student. “That’s because of the neighborhood I live in. When I go there, I feel less shy than like, a hospital. I think it’s because when you have someone who looks like you, that’s like taking care of you, you have a connection with them.”
This is why Chandler is considering entering the industry because she knows the effect it’ll have on girls like her.
“We inform them,” said Page-Hayden. “They know they are needed, and so when they make that decision, they can make it to impact the world.”
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