The Appalachian Nursing Academy is done and it was jam-packed with daily workshops, discussions, lectures, and educational talks from speakers in different healthcare fields, but in addition to all of these, there were bonds created between high school students that ranged throughout the Appalachian mountains that will leave an everlasting impression on the future generation.

But first and foremost, let me answer the number one question that was asked throughout the two weeks of the camp’s duration, “What is the Appalachian Nursing Academy?”

What is the Appalachian Nursing Academy?

If you have ever attended summer camp, you typically follow a set schedule that was made for all to follow – the Appalachian Nursing Academy was basically the same concept/idea.

If you haven’t attended a summer camp, well then, this makes it a little easier!

Imagine this: you (a high school student), get the chance of a lifetime to live on a college campus for two weeks where you learn, focus, and engage with others to discover all and everything that revolves around healthcare.

That’s right! These high school students got the chance to experience what it is like to live on a college campus and learn what it would be like to attend courses and learn from others.

A typical day included: attending several lectures or discussions or workshops provided by several organizations and colleges in Appalachia for the majority of the day – the topics varied from patient communication, diabetes, high blood pressure, learning the main skills a nurse may need, healthcare job opportunities, and much much more. 

In the evenings, the camp would consist of activities for all to do, such as pottery painting, karaoke singing, bingo, trivia night, movie night, lip sync battles, and even outdoor activities such as running, volleyball, and football.

By the Numbers

Of the nearly 70 applicants, 30 were chosen – with all of the high school students ranging from as far east as Monticello, south as Pineville, north as Ashland, and East as Jenkins.

It is clear, the representation made at the Appalachian Nursing Academy helps show that students throughout our region are eager to want to know what is out there for them in the healthcare field.

Thank you

We want to give a big thank you to all of the organizations and colleges/universities involved in the Appalachian Nursing Academy:

• Pikeville Medical Center
  • Provided a tour of the facilities of their lab science, cardiology, and emergency room department. Several students got to see the children’s hospital wing!
  • Students received a lecture about stroke care and the importance of knowing the signs of a stroke and the steps to take
  • Students also received a lecture about hands-only CPR
  • Nursing Career Pathways
  • Resume Workshop
  • Hosted the “Essential Skills of Nursing” Day camp involving medical terminology, medical math, nursing care, needle education, recruitment discussion, opportunities, etc.
  • Swag for students
• University of Pikeville
  • Provided a tour of their University
  • Hosted our students for the two-week summer program with both room and meals
  • Swag for students
• Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM)
  • Providing a tour of their Medical School
  • Professor Danny Driskill provided Narcan training
• Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO)
  • Provided a tour of their medical school
• Elliott School of Nursing
  • Hosted the Nursing Olympics for the high school students
  • Vital signs and crash course
• Kentucky Community & Technical College
  • Discussing how to succeed in Nursing School
• Kentucky Science Center
  • Hosting a live heart surgery for our students to watch
• Appalachian Regional Healthcare
  • Discussed their new mission and the opportunities students can take to help with their healthcare careers
  • Overall health and prevention
  • Diabetic care & prevention
  • CEO & Emergency Room Nurses discuss their line of work and their career pathway
  • Swag for students
• Addiction Recovery Care
  • Discussed all of the different avenues and professions a student can work in within a recovery care center
• Galen College of Nursing
  • Provided a tour of their school
  • Senior Care workshop 
  • Swag for students
• Advent Health
  • Provided CPR, AED, and First-aid training – where students received their BLS certification!
• Pikeville-Pike County Tourism
  • Provided the students with a free shuttle and transportation during the weekend
• HippoCLIN
  • Discussed their nursing career adventure and the latest app nurses are using in their workplace
• Pikeville City Fire Department
  • Giving a talk about first-hand emergency care and a tour of their facilities
• Workforce Development Kentucky
  • Discussed the health stance that Eastern Kentucky faces and compares to the rest of the state
• One Senior Care
  • Workshop, lecture, and discussion of caring for seniors
  • Resume workshop
  • Swag materials for students
• Union College
  • Discussed nursing opportunities at Union and shared their own stories
  • Swag material for students
• Eastern Kentucky University (EKY) College of Nursing
  • Mental Health Discussion
  • Self-care to Prevent nursing burnout