A Hands-On Pathway Into Nursing Careers
Summer camp immerses middle and high school students to the world of nursing
By the time students reach high school, conversations about college and careers are underway. Early discussions can help students chart a path forward, but some find it hard to see where they fit. Teenagers don’t often have a chance to explore and learn about professions up close.
To help, the University of Utah College of Nursing (CON) launched a summer camp back in 2022. The camp introduces middle and high school students to careers in nursing. By participating in the camp, students can use their high school years to align themselves better for college goals, ultimately preparing for a seamless entry into nursing programs at the university level. The camp was created as part of a broader effort to connect with students early, offer hands-on experiences, and generate interest in health careers.
Now in its fourth year, the camp has become a signature summer event. Students get a unique opportunity to engage directly with nursing through three days of interactive learning, college immersion, and personal discovery. For many participants, it marks the beginning of envisioning a career dedicated to care and impact. The CON embraces this camp as a vital way to connect early with future health professionals, nurturing curiosity and confidence well before college applications are even considered.
Leadership That Inspires Future Nurses
Since its beginning, the camp has been led by Valerie Flattes, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, who retires this fall after more than 20 years in nursing education and leadership at the U. Recognizing the importance of engaging students early, she envisioned a camp to spark interest in nursing and open doors to higher education. She led the effort to design and establish the program, secured resources to support participation, and coordinated across the university to bring it to life. Her leadership ensured that campers gained hands-on nursing experience, explored a variety of specialties, and built the confidence to see college and a future in health care as attainable, setting the stage for her to explain the camp’s purpose.
“The purpose of the camp is to inspire students to consider a nursing career, introduce them to specialties they may not know exist, and give them a feel for student life at the University of Utah,” she says. “It’s about planting a seed and helping students see themselves in this environment and know that a future in health care is possible.”
A Hands-On Experience
Throughout the nursing camp, students take part in lifelike patient care situations in the CON’s state-of-the-art Simulation Center. Using the same equipment found in hospitals, they practice nursing skills and work through realistic scenarios just like nurses do on the job. Campers also tour residence halls, libraries, dining areas, and wellness facilities to get a sense of what it is like to be a student at the U.
Campers meet with faculty, academic advisors from the CON, and university admissions staff to learn about pathways to nursing and what it takes to get there. One 2025 camper said simply, “I really liked the Sim Lab,” a sentiment echoed by many. Another wrote, “I think this was an amazing experience, and it made me more interested in nursing.”
Stories That Inspire
In addition to hands-on learning, campers hear from current nurses and CON alumni who share their personal journeys of what led them into health care and their current roles as perioperative nurses, flight nurses, nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, scientists, educators, and more.
Among this year’s speakers was Geovanna Inguanzo, a first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico.
“I didn’t have a straight path to success,” she told the campers. “But I learned and grew from every twist and turn. My parents, who only had elementary school educations, always emphasized the value of learning. That perspective helped me see education as both a privilege and a way forward. I want students to know that despite any obstacles, they can do it. Just being here is already a step closer to their goals.”
Families As Partners
Each summer, parents and guardians are invited to take part in the final evening of camp, where they tour facilities like the Simulation Center. They also connect with the dean, faculty, and academic advisors to learn about the pathway to nursing, college preparation, and financial aid and other resources available to aspiring nursing students.
The response from families is always enthusiastic. A parent of a 2025 camper shared, “My daughter loved learning CPR and working in the sim lab. She made new friends and loved the instructors. She said camp was so much fun, and she definitely wants to continue working toward becoming a midwife when she’s older.”
Another parent wrote, “This camp, held in the nursing clinic, provides a real-life view of studying nursing and having the necessary tools to learn.”
Another parent praised the entire experience, adding, “It was absolutely perfect. My daughter loved all the fun swag and the cute t-shirts the campers received! Just keep doing what you’re doing because it works!”
A Community Effort
Each year, it takes a true community effort of campus and external partners to make the camp a success. Faculty, staff, students, and campus partners work together to make each day meaningful, from guiding nursing simulations to providing tours and mentoring students.
Nursing faculty support campers by demonstrating hands-on skills, answering questions about nursing practice, and helping students build confidence in a clinical setting. Staff ensure that every detail, including meals, supplies, transportation, safety, and communication, runs smoothly. Student volunteers are enthusiastic role models and mentors, helping participants navigate the campus and get a feel for college life.
What began with just 10 participants in the first year has grown to more than 30 this year, and there are usually more applications than available spots, highlighting the camp’s popularity and impact. Generous support from the R. Harold Burton Foundation and the Dick and Timmy Burton Foundation made the camp possible and ensured that cost was never a barrier, making the experience accessible to all students.
Looking Ahead
The summer camp at the CON offers more than just an introduction to health care. It invites students to imagine a future filled with purpose and possibility.
While this summer marked Valerie Flattes’ final camp as its leader, its success is built on the dedication of many faculty, staff, and community partners who have created and sustained this experience. Their commitment ensures the camp will continue inspiring future nurses for years to come. Each year, the camp reaches more students and sparks interest in a field defined by care, curiosity, and commitment. For every camper who walks through the CON’s doors, a new future in nursing comes into view. Planning for next summer is already underway, with hopes that even more students and families will see this camp as a place to begin setting career goals about a career in health care and nursing.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER CAMP
Find details about next year’s College of Nursing Youth summer Camp, including how students can apply and how faculty, staff, and students can volunteer to support the experience. Visit the Community page to learn more.