CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – BreAna Viesca ’25 can still remember her first day of nursing school at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 兴奋、紧张和一点点怀疑都伴随着她，她向自己一直梦想的事业迈出了一大步。

“Our first lesson couldn’t have been easier. It was literally putting on sterile gloves,” Viesca remembers. “I thought I had it handled, but my professor came up to me, and the glove popped. 真是一团糟。 我现在对此一笑置之。 I can assure you that I’ve gotten a lot better.”

维斯卡来自德克萨斯州西南部的路易斯小镇，现在离毕业还有一个月的时间，她将获得护理学学士学位。 She has gotten so good at her craft that she is now helping train the health care professionals of tomorrow as a mentor during the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ first-ever Islander Nursing Summer Camp. 该夏令营旨在让对医疗领域感兴趣的高中三年级和高年级学生了解医疗保健行业的职业生涯。

“It’s really cool to see the campers light up as they learn more about what nurses do,” said Amiee Griffis, Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing Education. “One of the things we’ve taught them is checking for vital signs. 他们真的听到了血压。 When they heard that for the first time, it was wonderful to see their amazement.”

在这个为期一周的夏令营中，高中生们将学习心肺复苏术训练、伤口护理设置和插入呼吸管等技能。 虚拟现实也被用来让露营者了解不同的医疗程序，包括接生。

“I think my favorite part has been getting into the simulation labs because it’s really cool to get to practice all these skills,” said Uduak Ofong, a senior at Veterans Memorial High School in Corpus Christi ISD. “The manikins are so lifelike, it feels almost real. It’s really invaluable practice.”

对于许多营员来说，在很小的时候就有了从事医疗保健事业的想法。 一些人的灵感来自家庭成员，另一些人来自学校的早期接触，对一些人来说，两者都有。

“In my freshman year of high school, I took an introduction to health science class, and in my sophomore year, I took a medical terminology class. Those classes really grabbed me,” said Julie Zavala-Cruz, a junior at Ray High School in Corpus Christi ISD. “My sister-in-law is also a medical assistant, and she is one of the people who inspired me to come to this camp and further my studies in health science.”

由于护理人员短缺影响着全国各地的医院，希望这种对护理和医疗保健领域的接触将点燃火花，最终有助于缓解医疗保健专业人员的短缺，特别是在沿海地区。 

“I think it is extremely important because this is the time, right now, when it’s going to shape their image of what they want to do,” Griffis said. “As juniors and seniors in high school, they’re thinking about their future. So, if we can turn on that light bulb right now, hopefully, we can help grow the ranks of the nursing profession.”

在岛民护理营接触护理和保健领域也有助于营员接触TAMU-CC护理和健康科学学院专门提供的工具和教育。

“After seeing all that they have in their program, I think it’s convincing me to stay here,” said Brylee Wall, a senior at Veterans Memorial High School. “They have a lot of good opportunities here, and a lot of nice people. That’s really encouraging to see.”

As Viesca’s time on campus wraps up, being a mentor at this camp has been a full-circle moment. 她记得自己和这些年轻的露营者一样，曾经梦想着将来做护士。 今天，她站在一个活生生的例子，这些梦想是可以实现的。

“I feel like I was just their age a second ago,” Viesca said. “This nursing program at TAMU-CC is incredible, and I’m so grateful that I came here.”

Islander Nursing Summer Camp, which also features presentations from local hospitals including CHRISTUS Spohn Health System and Corpus Christi Medical Center, will have a 第二届暑期班 from July 7-11. 名额有限。 夏令营的费用是200美元，包括午餐。