Explore the Expanded 2025 Austin Peay State University Nursing Camp: A Hands-On Hospital Experience Awaits!

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Explore the Expanded 2025 Austin Peay State University Nursing Camp: A Hands-On Hospital Experience Awaits!

Nursing Camp Inspires Future Healthcare Heroes

This summer, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) School of Nursing welcomed 60 high school students to a two-week Nursing Summer Camp. Initially just a weeklong event, the camp doubled in size, thanks to funding from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation.

Participants dove into practical experiences, learning skills like wound care, CPR, and even tracheotomy procedures. Dr. Eve Rice, the School of Nursing’s director, expressed her excitement, saying this camp ignites a passion for healthcare in young minds.

The camp wasn’t just about learning. Students visited clinical sites, including a trip to Tennova Healthcare, where they saw real nurses and doctors at work. “That makes my heart explode,” said Donna Goodlett, a 1986 APSU alumna now working at Tennova. She loves mentoring students and seeing them engage with the world of healthcare.

Abigail Hopkins, a senior at Montgomery Central High School, shared her enthusiasm: “This camp gave me unexpected hands-on experience. I’m even more excited to become a nurse.”

To measure the camp’s long-term effects, APSU faculty are tracking students’ progress. They hope many will pursue nursing careers in the future. With ongoing support from local partners and a recent grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, APSU plans to expand the program even further in 2026.

According to a recent study from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the nation will need 1.1 million new nurses by 2026 to meet healthcare demands. Programs like APSU’s summer camp play a vital role in inspiring the next generation to fulfill that need.

As Dr. Rice notes, “We’re training the next generation of nurses with the heart of this community behind us.”

For more on nursing education opportunities, visit the APSU School of Nursing website.

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