There are many reasons why a college student might come to Orlando for summer break. The opportunities within the travel and tourism sector alone seem like an appearling way to earn some extra cash. Or, hanging at the pool or one of the nearby beaches sounds nice, too.
This summer, 35 nursing students from three different Adventist colleges are coming to Orlando to further their education and get some real-life experience. Future nurses from Union College (Nebraska), Oakwood University (Alabama), and Southern Adventist University (Tennessee) will be working at Florida Hospital in the roles of patient care techs.
Baylee Underwood came down from Nebraska hoping to learn a lot more about nursing. “The size of Florida Hospital is a little overwhelming,” she says. “But I need to learn to adapt to new situations.” Baylee will spend most of her time on the neuromedical unit on the Orlando campus. She will take what she learns this summer back to Union College, where she will graduate in May 2010 as a BSN.
Danny Lamberton, from Southern, has been interested in becoming a Nurse Anesthesiologist for a long time. He has also considered the management side of nursing. Spending the summer at Florida Hospital will help him make up his final career path.
“Nursing is an amazing career choice,” says Danny. “Seeing all the aspects here [at FH] can help me figure out what I want to do with my life.”
While the opportunities for these students are wonderful, the hospital can benefit too. Eric Wandersleben, at Orlando’s Human Resources Department, says that ultimately the summer program can be a recruiting tool. “Attracting more BSNs will help move us toward the journey of becoming a magnet for nurses,” Eric says.
The word-of-mouth from the students is already helping to recruit others. “Florida Hospital is already on my short list,” Danny Lamberton says of places he’ll work after graduation. “I’ve already called all my friends and told them about this place.”
“We are excited to have these students with us this summer. Their presence speaks to Florida Hospital’s commitment to patient safety and heritage, as we seek to attract the best and brightest of the future nurses to join us in fulfilling our mission,” says Dick Tibbits, Chief People Officer.