Kids into health careers: Public health nurses developing linkages with middle school adolescents regarding options for health careers

The U.S. healthcare workforce is in a vulnerable state. It is projected that by the year 2010, 3.1 million new healthcare positions will be available; 2.2 million jobs will also be vacant to replace retiring healthcare workers. Nursing is a crucial component of the healthcare workforce. It is estimated that by the year 2020, there will be shortage of 800,000 nurses! To address this concern, the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Health Professions encouraged community-based organizations to develop linkages with teenage youth from diverse backgrounds. The objectives of this linkage were to encourage and inform minority and disadvantaged adolescents of educational and career opportunities in health professions and assist in preparing for education in healthcare professions. The “Kids into Health Careers” initiative is supported by funding to an urban, private School of Nursing and Health Sciences in Southeastern Pennsylvania from the Division of Nursing (DN), Bureau of Health Professions (BPHr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The “Kids into Health Careers” curriculum was developed based upon HRSA's existing curriculum. Key components of this curriculum are: 1) there are abundant job opportunities in healthcare; 2) qualifying for healthcare positions is rewarding; 3) financial aid is available; and 4) healthcare careers fill a critical need in many communities where minority and disadvantaged populations receive inadequate health care. This initiative has provided outreach and educational sessions at twenty six schools targeting over 1,000 adolescents. Similar programs can be replicated in schools of nursing nationwide.

This project was supported in part by funds from the Division of Nursing (DN), Bureau of Health Professions (BPHr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under grant number D09HP00020 Clinical Nurse Specialist/Clinical Nurse Educator for $465,588. The information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by the Division of Nursing, BHPr, DHHS or the U.S. Government.