Students ‘walk in a nurse’s shoes’ to learn about medical professions at FranU camp

High school juniors and seniors enthusiastically confirmed they had a calling to the medical profession after spending a week shadowing nurses at FranU’s Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Camp July 15–19. 

Through hands-on activities and workshops presented by experienced faculty and healthcare professionals, attendees gained insights into the nursing profession. They discussed what nursing is and learned about the different career paths in nursing; learned about HIPAA and codes of ethics, PPE, proper needle selection, needle safety, and how to complete a patient assessment. 

Other lessons given were taking vital signs, wound care, and body mechanics.  

Additionally, students engaged in activities in the state-of-the-art Simulated Education and Teaching Hospital (SETH) lab on campus.   

The attendees signaled out the SETH lab as one of the highlights of the week. 

“We saw some children mannequins, some of the adult ones, some in the operating room,” said Kevin Acosta, 17, a senior at St. Amant High School. “We created a moulage of fake cuts, fake bruises, stuff they do on the mannequins to make it look more realistic.”  

Acosta was also excited about the lessons on IV injections.  

Students  expressed their confidence that they  have a calling to be a medical professional after attending the FranU HOSA camp. Photos provided by Taylor LeJeune 

During his junior year, Acosta was intrigued by the information he received about the HOSA event. He said the camp confirmed that he would like to pursue a career as a traveling nurse or radiologist.

Ariana Davis, a junior at Zachary High School, is interested in a nursing career and was looking at possibly interning at a hospital over the summer. Her mother’s friend has a son who had previously attended the HOSA camp, and she recommended that Davis apply. 

Davis’s favorite part of the SETH lab was the mannequin who gave birth to a baby. 

“You talk to the mom, and she tells you what’s right or wrong. It’s very realistic,” said Davis. 

The camp “absolutely” validated Davis’s thoughts that she should attend FranU and pursue a medical career, possibly as a traveling nurse. 

“By combining the activities and classroom work, you can see yourself doing this, too. It made me feel more confident because learning about anatomy and all I found everything interesting and I wanted to do it,” said Davis. 

Participant Jessica Winter, 17, a senior at Dutchtown High School in Prairieville, said even the lessons on standard procedures included fun elements. 


“I really liked the relay race for the group where we had to wash our hands and then put on the gowns and all the protective clothing to see who could get it done the fastest,” said Winter. 

She has felt drawn to a medical profession since she was a child because she was often in a hospital setting: older siblings were having babies and her grandparents and mother were grappling with health issues. 

“I wanted to help and be a part of it; I always thought it was really cool,” Winter said. “For a while I wanted to be an obstetrician, and I did a lot of research on it. Then I grew to liking registered nursing because of the wide spectrum in the field you can get into – emergency room trauma and all of that.” 

She said the camp was educationally “impressive.” 

“They gave us a lot of slideshows and let us take notes. I’m a very visual person, so they explained things very well and they demonstrated everything they’re telling you,” Winter said. 

She, likewise, found confirmation that she wants to apply to FranU to pursue a medical career. 


The instructors in the camp conveyed that the highlight of their week was working with the next generation of medical professionals. 

Jailyn Cressy, assistant professor at the FranU School of Nursing, said, “The students this summer were engaged and active participants the entire week … They asked very thought-provoking questions throughout the camp regarding career options, educational opportunities, and the role of a registered nurse in the community.   

“I spent my birthday volunteering with the students during the camp and it was one of the most rewarding experiences to give back to the future of nursing.”  

“The students attending this year’s HOSA camp were eager to explore the profession of nursing,” said Danielle Bache, nursing instructor at FranU. “Each concept delivered was engaging and brought to life the skills nurses use to provide patient care. The students attending this year’s camp were interactive and receptive to an array of different topics.” 

She added, “It was truly magical to witness the excitement of students and their willingness to learn about serving in the healthcare ministry.”