TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Twenty rising high school seniors from across the state will be heading to the Capstone for a week of hands-on experience at an academy hosted by The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing, giving high school students first-hand insight into the fastest growing profession in the United States.

During portions of the Joseph S. Bruno Nursing Academy, to be held May 30-June 5, the 20 students will be paired one-on-one with nurses in several area health care facilities, said Pat McCullar, coordinator of nursing student recruitment at UA.

“The program will give them a bird’s eye view of what nursing is all about,” said McCullar, who is coordinating the program.

High school students will live on the UA campus, learn basic nursing skills, and participate in computer simulations and orientations related to the career opportunities in the nursing profession.

Students participate at no cost to them, as the program is funded entirely by The Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation from Birmingham, said Holly Warr, director of advancement for UA’s Capstone College of Nursing. Students must have a 3.0 grade point average to be considered for the summer program.

The high school students will shadow nurses at several locations, including DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, and St. Vincent's and Children’s Hospitals in Birmingham, during portions of the week long academy. Students will also visit AlaCare Home Health Agency and talk with a nurse from Advanced Clinical Employment Staffing, a nurse travel company.

During the week, the students will also have a taste of college life, living in a dorm, and participating in activities such as bowling, swimming, shopping, movies, a lake party, and a riverboat cruise.

The Joseph S. Bruno Nursing Academy began in 2003 and was positively received; comments from students in the 2003 academy included:

• “I was already set on nursing but this just reinforced my decision.”
• “I think the Academy was an excellent idea. It lets you see different fields of nursing and it helps you to narrow down your choice of which field you want to go into.”
• “It was an excellent experience.”
• “[It’s the] best program ever for high school students. Incredibly informing and definitely worth it. So much information and new things learned.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 million registered nurses will be needed to fill new positions and vacancies by 2012. This makes nursing one of the hottest professions, in what is generally a tough job market, said McCullar.

The Capstone College of Nursing, founded in 1976, graduates approximately 100 nurses a year from its baccalaureate program. Its graduate program for nurse case managers is one of the most innovative in the country. Partnerships with many of Alabama’s community colleges make obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing a realistic goal for registered nurses.

With more than 600 students and 28 faculty members, the College supplies RNs and nurse case managers to many Alabama health care facilities and others throughout the United States. The College also runs a primary care clinic in rural Alabama to provide care for rural patients and rural learning experiences for students.

Students selected for UA’s 2004 Bruno Nursing Academy include:

• Ashley Adams of Union Springs
• Heather Brooks of Gardendale
• Lacey Collett of Mt. Olive
• Elizabeth Dorn of Birmingham (zip code 35243)
• Andrea Early of Irondale
• Andrea Ennis of Opp
• Kalen Garrison of Acworth, Ga.
• Amanda Hamilton of Northport
• Carlye Jackson of Alabaster
• Brittany Kaiser of Rogersville
• Tia McClenney of Marion
• Katherine McGiffert of Tuscaloosa
• Ashia Montgomery of Alabaster
• Christa Morphis of Anniston
• Hayley Poe of Theodore
• Krista Rushing of Stevenson
• Sydney Shell of Mobile
• Lindsey Thacker of Anniston
• Johnny Tice of Tuscaloosa, and
• Ashley Williamson of West Blocton.