MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare Camp

Announcement: Nurse Camp has evolved and now has a new name! We are excited to announce and share the new name is MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare. The health care enrichment program introduces students to a holistic approach to patient care. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse health professionals working together to ensure the hospital operates and functions smoothly to ensure we deliver high-quality care to patients in the Pacific Northwest region.

Since 2004, local high school students have come together at MultiCare Health System facilities to experience the diverse health care career professions working in a hospital setting. Our health care program was initiated to encourage, inspire and support students considering nursing or allied health professions, such as pharmacy, radiology or physical therapy.

At the 2021 MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare Camp, July 19-23, you’ll join medical professionals from various disciplines, those caring for patients and individuals that work in our non-clinical areas. These are some of the clinical and non-clinical service areas that function within the hospital setting. You will learn about: Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Unit (adult and pediatric), Cancer Center, Labor & Delivery, Pediatric Care, Adult Surgical Care areas, Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), Human Potential (HP) and a variety of leadership roles at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. You will also participate in hands-on station rotations, mock codes and even visit a local nursing school. In short, you will get a firsthand, behind-the-scenes look at the multifaceted world of nursing and allied health.

What's Offered?

The 2021 MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare, July 19-23, is a free, five-day camp based out of MultiCare Tacoma General and MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's hospitals and is held from approximately 8:30am - 4pm, daily.

At the end of M.A.S.H. camp, you’ll walk away with nursing skills, knowledge of health careers, scrubs, new friends, a more focused future and wonderful memories. Completion of the MultiCare M.A.S.H. Camp is an excellent addition to college and employment applications.

Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in Pierce, South King, Kitsap, and north Thurston counties who are interested in nursing or other health-related careers and motivated to learn more are eligible to apply.

Approximately 110 students who are current sophomores, juniors and seniors at the time of application, and have not participated before in MultiCare Nurse Camp, will be accepted.

Students will be admitted based on a total score awarded for all elements of their application, including a personal statement and a reference, as outlined on the application checklist.

Recent articles about MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare (formerly Nurse Camp):

• MultiCare’s annual Nurse Camp goes online during COVID-19
• Service-oriented student leader sets her sights on Nurse Camp
• Nurse Camp student-turned-nurse reflects on her experience at camp
• Nurse Camp camper wants to become doctor, follow in parents' footsteps

Who Can Apply?

Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in Pierce, South King, Kitsap, and north Thurston counties who are interested in nursing or other health-related careers and motivated to learn more are eligible to apply.

Approximately 110 students who are current sophomores, juniors and seniors at the time of application, and have not participated before in MultiCare Nurse Camp, will be accepted.

Students will be admitted based on a total score awarded for all elements of their application, including a personal statement and a reference, as outlined on the application checklist.

Volunteers

Do you enjoy working with high school youth? Are you interested in supporting the operations of MultiCare’s Academy for Students in Healthcare (M.A.S.H.) Camp and providing encouragement to students interested in pursuing a health care career?

If so, please consider volunteering at our M.A.S.H. Camp: July 19- 23, 2021. Volunteers are essential to the success of the M.A.S.H. Camp! All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Days and hours are negotiable. Health care experience is welcomed, but not required. To volunteer, please email [email protected].

FAQ

What kind of attire will I need to wear if I am accepted to the M.A.S.H. Camp?

Scrubs will be provided. Shoes must be closed toed. We recommend that shoes also be comfortable.

Can I turn in any of the required documents for the application late (i.e., letter of recommendation, transcript, application, and vaccination records)?

No, due to the popularity of our program we must adhere to the deadlines to be fair to all applicants and the M.A.S.H. Camp committee members that score the applications. Therefore, we will not accept late materials once the application closes at 5pm, March 12th, 2021.

Vaccination information is required.

Will I get accepted if I apply early?

Each application is examined and applicants are accepted based on a variety of factors. We do encourage one to apply early, however applicants MUST provide all the required/mandatory information on the application form. Please note: Due to the volume of applications we receive, only the first 250 complete applications will be considered.

How many persons are accepted in the camp?

M.A.S.H. Camp accepts approximately 110 campers each year.

Can I apply for camp if I attended camp in the past?

No. Due to limited space, we extend the application to those who have not had the opportunity to experience this our camp. You are only allowed to apply and be accepted to M.A.S.H. Camp only once.

Will I be allowed to attend camp if I am not from the counties listed?

Unfortunately, we will not accept applications from areas outside of the current listed counties.

How should reference forms be submitted?

Letter of recommendations must be uploaded in the allocated section of the application form. We will not accept paper or email submissions.

Is there a cost associated with M.A.S.H. Camp?

Our camp is a totally free, community-based enrichment program — and thanks to gracious donations from a variety of community organizations and businesses, including MultiCare Health System is absolutely free.

When will I know if I am accepted?

Applicants who are accepted will initially be sent an email, using the address that was provided to us in your application. Campers will be notified around the first week of May. Subsequently, once accepted to attend M.A.S.H. Camp we will have additional required documents to be completed and returned to us at the mandatory orientation.

What should I do if I am not accepted for this year’s M.A.S.H. Camp?

Applicants who are not granted acceptance to our program are encouraged to reapply the following year if you are a sophomore or junior. A small number of students will be waitlisted; however, this does not guarantee admission to our program. Those students placed on a wait list will be contacted if space becomes available. If no space becomes available and you are not selected to attend camp this year, please reapply next year.

Additional health care profession resources.

Do I need to have any medical knowledge or experience to apply?

Medical experience/knowledge is NOT required to apply or attend M.A.S.H. Camp. This is an opportunity to participate in activities and job shadows to help you determine if pursuing a healthcare profession is right for you.

Will I be allowed to leave the camp early?

All campers are expected to stay for the duration of the camp (8:30am-4:00pm) and participate in all the activities unless previously arranged and authorized. If you are accepted and there is an emergency that arises, please let us know and we will make the necessary recommendations and/or accommodations for you.

Will I receive a confirmation if I apply online?

Yes, an auto response will generate and be sent to the email address that you provided in the application. All responses will be delivered to your email. Please remember to check your email frequently. Some email responses may automatically populate to your junk/spam folders

Can I turn in any of the required documents for the application late (i.e., letter of recommendation, transcript, application, and vaccination records)?

No, due to the popularity of our program we must adhere to the deadlines to be fair to all applicants and the M.A.S.H. Camp committee members that score the applications. Therefore, we will not accept late materials once the application closes at 5pm, March 12th, 2021.

Vaccination information is required.

What immunizations/vaccinations and tests will I need to submit in order to participate in the M.A.S.H. Camp?

Immunizations that you will need to submit in order to attend MultiCare’s Academy for Students in Healthcare Camp:

• Tuberculosis titer (blood draw preferred) or TB skin testing X2 (please see below detailed information)
• Proof of 2 MMR’s (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations or positive immunity results from a titer
• Proof of 2 Varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations or positive immunity results from a titer
• TDaP

TB testing requirements:

Preferred: QuantiFERON Gold
There is another TB blood test available called T-SPOT.

TB skin test: If they have not had a TB skin test (TST) in the last 12 months they will need to do a two-step. Two-step testing consists of two TSTs, placed at least 7 days apart, but within the same 12 month period.

***All TST documentation must include date placed, date read and millimeter reading. Cannot just say “negative”.

**All of these tests and immunizations are required per hospital policy, in order for you to be present in any of our hospital/clinical patient care areas!

What if I do not have all of the required immunizations?

If you have not completed all required immunizations as instructed, you will need to complete them before the scheduled M.A.S.H. Camp orientation once accepted! These immunizations and tests are all required per MultiCare hospital policy.

If you happen to have an allergy or have experienced an adverse reaction to any of the listed and required vaccinations. At the minimum, you will be required to provide proof of your reactions in a formal letter written by your doctor (on business letterhead) that states you cannot be given whatever immunization that caused you to have an adverse reaction.

That letter from your doctor, will need to be sent to [email protected], so the M.A.S.H. Camp program manager can send it to the Human Resources (HR) department for formal approval. If the letter is approved per the HP department, then you will be allowed to attend and fully participate in all scheduled activities during the M.A.S.H. Camp week.

If HP determines it would not be in your best interest to participate in our M.A.S.H. Camp, you will be withdrawn from the camp roster.

What happens if my Tuberculosis (TB) test results come back positive?

You will need to schedule a doctor’s appointment to be evaluated by your physician. They will order additional tests and X-rays to confirm whether or not you definitively have TB. If your test results come back and it is deemed that you are positive for active TB, then you will need to be treated and your attendance to M.A.S.H. Camp is subject to withdrawal. Tuberculosis is a serious disease that attacks the lungs and could pose a significant risk to our already immunocompromised patients.

Where can I get TB testing (two-step PPD skin test or QuantiFERON gold) done other than my doctor’s office?

Once accepted into M.A.S.H. Camp, TB testing will be mandatory in order to participate in the camp all week. Testing is usually covered by most insurances and/or Medicaid. Please contact your insurance directly to confirm coverage.

Here are a list of locations in your area that provide TB testing:

•  Your PCP (primary care provider)
• Most local pharmacies and in pharmacy clinics (Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Safeway, Walmart, etc)
• Most urgent care clinics (Indigo, Concentra, Prompt Care, etc)
• Labs (LabCorp, Laboratories NW, Quest, etc)
• Department of Health
• Sea-Mar clinics

*You will need to contact/call the location(s) to ensure testing is available prior to being seen.

The QuantiFERON Gold website also provides a list of locations that offer TB screening/testing.

Do I need to complete my TB testing before I submit my application or before I learn whether or not I am accepted?

No, it is not a requirement to complete the 2-step PPD (skin) TB test or QuantiFeron Gold (TB lab draw) prior to completing your application or before we determine who is accepted into the M.A.S.H. Camp program.

However, we do recommend that you complete this testing early if you are able to do so! To reduce the amount of paperwork you will be required to turn in if accepted into M.A.S.H. Camp.

Does the M.A.S.H. Camp application include essay questions?

Yes, there are three essay questions that you are required to complete, with a minimum word count of 150 words and max of 250 words. There is a fourth question that is optional, however, it is definitely recommended that you respond to this question. The fourth question gives us some insight about you personally, which will help you stand out from the other applicants.

Lastly, it is high recommended that you write your essay questions in a Word document, so you can track your word count and receive some assistance from the built-in grammar and spelling check feature. Once you have finalized your essay responses, simply copy and paste each response back into the space provided within the application titled "Essay Questions."

If you attended virtual Nurse Camp 2020 am I eligible to re-apply to the 2021 M.A.S.H. Camp?

Yes, hopefully this year we will be able to return to the in-person camp. Please note, we will continue to evaluate the platform for the 2021 M.A.S.H. Camp. Depending upon the COVID-19 infection rate, we may have a virtual camp again this year.

Can take photos of my documents (i.e., letter of recommendation, vaccination records, and transcripts) to upload into the M.A.S.H. Camp application?

An alternative for those that may not have access to a printer/scanner is to download the free app “Tiny Scanner” and use the app to take photos of your documents to save as a pdf. Download for Android or iOS

Will I be able to save your progression through application and submit once complete?

Yes, the application platform does allow you to save your work. Remember, you must click the save button so your work and progress through the application is saved.

Required Immunizations and testing

Immunizations that you will need to submit in order to attend MultiCare’s Academy for Students in Healthcare Camp

• Tuberculosis titer (blood draw preferred) or TB skin testing X2 (please see below detailed information)
• Proof of 2 MMR’s (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations or positive immunity results from a titer
• Proof of 2 Varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations or positive immunity results from a titer
• TDaP

TB testing requirements:

Preferred: QuantiFERON Gold

There is another TB blood test available called T-SPOT.

TB skin test: If they have not had a TB skin test (TST) in the last 12 months they will need to do a two-step. Two-step testing consists of two TSTs, placed at least 7 days apart, but within the same 12-month period.

***All TST documentation must include date placed, date read and millimeter reading. Cannot just say “negative”.

Letter of Recommendation Instructions & Requirements

Once you have written the letter of recommendation, please return it to the M.A.S.H. Camp applicant so they can upload and submit with their application.

We are only accepting ONE letter of recommendation per applicant.

Accepted recommendations can be written by: teachers, former teachers, counselors, advisors, career counselors, coaches, employers, extracurricular activity advisors, club advisors, church or religious leaders or other adult mentors.

Do not use friends, family members or friends of the family for recommendations.

Please keep in mind the application deadline is 5pm on March 12th, please return the letter of to the M.A.S.H. Camp applicant before the application closes! No late submissions will be accepted after this date and time!

Instructions to reference for the letter of recommendation

1. YOUR LETTER MUST BE ON SCHOOL OR BUSINESS LETTERHEAD AND STATE WHO YOU ARE IN YOUR SIGNATURE BLOCK
2. YOUR LETTER SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 3 PARAGRAPHS LONG
3. YOUR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION SHOULD ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING:

Describe the student’s maturity level, open-mindedness, ability to absorb information, initiative, and curiosity about the world and people in general. Also, please include how M.A.S.H. Camp will complement the student’s goals and describe at least two unique skills and strengths. Your letter will be worth approximately 15% of the student’s application score.

Please include these items in the signature block:

1. Name and title of recommender
2. Email address
3. Phone number

Thank You for supporting your students applying for MultiCare’s 2021 M.A.S.H. Camp program!

Applying to M.A.S.H. Camp

The application window for the MultiCare’s Academy for Students in Healthcare Camp has closed. We are reviewing applications and will notify applicants of their status no later than May 1, 2021. We look forward to reviewing all of this year’s M.A.S.H. Camp applications. Good Luck!

Contact Us

Questions? Please email [email protected]. A response will be delivered within 24-48 business hours.