Rappahannock Community College and VCU Tappahannock Hospital Host Successful Health Career Immersion Camp for High School Students
Local high school students spent a week of their winter break at VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital to participate in a Health Career Immersion Camp hosted by Rappahannock Community College (RCC) and the hospital. The camp introduced students to a variety of health professions and the opportunity to rotate through departments while acquiring hands-on simulated experiences in a lab environment and earning certifications.
Throughout the camp, students gained insight into the day-to-day operations of healthcare professions and different hospital departments, including Emergency, Radiology, Operating Room, Laboratory Services, Pharmacy, and Cardiopulmonary. In each department, students met with professionals who shared their own career journeys, detailed their daily responsibilities, and explained the necessary qualifications for each role. The experience provided a holistic view of healthcare, demonstrating the collaboration among various healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality patient care.
“The immersive camp provided a unique opportunity for students to explore the healthcare field and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse career paths available to them,” said Jessica Moncure, MSN, RN, Nursing Professional Development Specialist at VCU Tappahannock Hospital. “By collaborating with RCC, we were able to offer students a hands-on, real-world experience that will help them make informed decisions about their future careers. This program has empowered students to not only explore healthcare professions but also to begin planning their educational journeys, whether through dual enrollment or other pathways.”
Stacie Wind, Healthcare Recruitment and Development Manager at RCC added, “By the end of the week, students walked away with valuable resources, firsthand experiences, and personalized guidance on how to pursue their desired healthcare careers. Through discussions with their high school navigators, they now have the support to identify their next steps, whether that’s enrolling in dual enrollment courses, internships, or other opportunities to jumpstart their path to success.”
The camp concluded with a closing ceremony in which students received their Basic Life Saving (BLS) and Stop the Bleed certifications, empowering them with life-saving skills and confidence, while enhancing an understanding of emergency medical practices.
“We were thrilled to host such an important program that fosters interest in healthcare careers in our community,” said Elizabeth Martin, President, VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital. “We are proud to be part of this initiative that helps introduce students to the rewarding and diverse world of healthcare while providing them with practical, life-saving skills that could one day make a difference in an emergency.”
As the healthcare industry continues to grow, RCC and VCU Heath remain committed to cultivating future generations of healthcare professionals and providing students with opportunities to explore careers that have a meaningful impact on themselves and their communities.
For more information on future health career pathway programs, contact Stacie Wind, RCC’s Healthcare Recruitment and Development Manager at swind@rappahannock.edu.