MultiCare Health System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Todd Kelley 253-403-1716

MultiCare to Give High School Students Hands-On Nursing Experience
Fifth Annual Nurse Camp Enrolls More Than 100 Students

(TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System will kick off the fifth annual Nurse Camp on Tuesday, July 29 with more than 100 students representing 47 high schools throughout Pierce, south King and Thurston counties.

The physicians and staff at MultiCare will open their clinics and hospital units for students who are interested in learning about careers in nursing and health care. The 2008 Nurse Camp is co-sponsored by the Washington Health Foundation and Pfizer.

Throughout the four-day program, students will shadow professional health care providers as they care for patients in the emergency department, intensive care, surgery, inpatient units and other patient care areas at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center.

Students will use the daVinci surgical robot and learn other surgical skills such as stapling, suturing and scrubbing. One of the most popular activities is performing a “skittlectomy” where students remove candy from a mannequin using minimally-invasive surgical tools. Students will also earn their CPR certification during Nurse Camp.

“This unique hands-on experience encourages students to consider pursuing a career in health care,” said Liesl Santkuyl, MultiCare Community Outreach Liaison. “MultiCare employees are thrilled to pass on their passion for quality patient care and help students learn about exciting careers in health care.”

New in 2008, students will hear about issues facing nursing today, such as the ongoing nursing shortage. On Friday, August 1, the students will present potential solutions to a panel of VIPs, including two legislators who happen to be nurses, Washington State Senator Rosa Franklin and Washington State Representative Dawn Morrell.

The students will also have the opportunity to visit with college-level students and health care instructors at Tacoma Community College, Clover Park Technical College and a new partner, the University of Washington, Tacoma.

For more information, or to enroll in the next Nurse Camp, please call 253-403-1401.

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MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area's largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties.