On March 20, New Haven Hill Regional Career High School students on the health sciences study track visited the North Haven Campus to engage in the full-day experience. They learned about Quinnipiac’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Certified Nurse Aid training programs, heard from current nursing students, and participated in experiential learning in classroom simulation labs. During two faculty-led simulation exercises, the high school students also earned certification in Narcan training and Stop the Bleed training and received Narcan emergency kits, tourniquets and other provisions.

Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Nursing Lisa Rebeschi said this is the second consecutive year the school has offered the valuable interactive program in collaboration with Career High School.

“As part of our strategic plan in the School of Nursing, we have objectives around thriving community and student success. This collaboration really aligns with both of those objectives,” said Rebeschi. “The partnership allows us the opportunity to help familiarize them with the opportunities here, and because the Career students are so driven around healthcare and so well-qualified, this is a population we’d like to attract more of.”

Director of Undergraduate Programs and Assistant Professor of Nursing Tyler Traister discussed the country’s many different routes to earning a nursing degree, the college application process, and the wealth of opportunities provided by Quinnipiac nursing degrees and programs.

“Many hospitals and nursing jobs across the nation are really looking for you to have that baccalaureate degree. The BSN degree is very sought after and coveted for those individuals,” said Traister.  “Here at Quinnipiac, we have boundless opportunities for you to enmesh yourself in that nursing role.”

Led by faculty, the students worked with mannikins in training courses, toured the simulation center where nursing students are provided with a safe environment to learn all of the skills needed for various clinical settings, and engaged in a classroom simulation activity.

Quinnipiac Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of Community Engagement Pina Violano, together with community engagement distinction student volunteers, provided the day’s Narcan and Stop the Bleed training and certification. Tours of the school’s nursing labs and simulation center were led by Director of Laboratory and Simulation Operations Darlene Rogers and Nursing Laboratory Coordinator Diane Sullivan.  Classroom simulation activities were led by Simulation Director Liana Kappus and Clinical Assistant Professor Peter Longley.

Career High School health care professions educator Robin Davitt-Wells said the visiting students are all college-bound, and many are interested in a career in nursing. Davitt-Wells said bringing her students to Quinnipiac provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore their interests in the field of health sciences.

“First of all, they’re getting exposed to the university, and the university is amazing. There’s so much here to offer. Secondly, they’re coming away with something from the experience. They earned two certifications today. So it’s not just another college tour. They’re actually learning something,” said Davitt-Wells.

Career High School Business Manager Jennifer Stevenson worked with Rebeschi to initiate the career exploration visits last year. Stevenson said the high school’s collaboration with Quinnipiac provides students with a valuable view of their future potential.

“We’re getting the kids out to see what’s available and the programs that are offered, and the experiences they can actually have when they come out of high school,” said Stevenson.

Third-year Career student Milea Jones, who plans to become a registered nurse, said Quinnipiac students, faculty and administrators created a welcoming learning environment for the day.

“They made me feel welcome and they were really helpful. We go out to visit different schools, but this one was a little different because they gave us more information about the school, and with things like the Stop the Bleed training, we learned something while we were here,” said Jones.

Giovany Sarez Medina, a third-year Career student, said he also appreciated receiving Narcan and Stop the Bleed training as part of the visit.

“It was very interesting. Now, I’m more comfortable when an emergency presents itself. I can be there to provide Narcan, I can stop bleeding,” said Medina.

Medina said he also took away some important insights after hearing from faculty and current nursing students.

“The most memorable thing for me is if you want to pursue nursing you just have to be dedicated,” Medina said. “All the work, being comfortable being the patients, that will just all come along later on in the journey. As long as you’re dedicated it shouldn’t feel like a job, but more like a passion that is something you want to do.”