Immersive nursing camp prepares high schoolers

Aug. 3, 2026 — DENTON — Sixty high school juniors explored what it's like to become a nurse during a three-day summer camp hosted by the College of Nursing in partnership with Uplift Education.

Students began the program on the Denton campus, touring the university before participating in hands-on activities in simulation and skills labs. The camp continued to the Dallas campus where students gained practical experience and learned about diverse roles nurses play in today's healthcare system.

At the immersive camp students practiced bleeding control, basic life support, sterile technique, medication administration and patient care. They also learned how nurses prioritize care, monitor patients and make critical clinical decisions.

One of the biggest takeaways wasn't just skills learned, but confidence they gained.

"Many had never experienced a university simulation lab before, and by the end of camp they were eagerly participating, asking thoughtful questions and beginning to picture themselves as future nursing students," said Jeffrey Ten Eyck, director of healthcare programs and pathways for Uplift Education.

The experience also introduced students to college life and helped them envision the next step in their education.

"Experiences like this allow scholars to see themselves on a college campus, build confidence in their abilities and better understand what a future in nursing could look like," Ten Eyck said. "As one of our key higher education partners, TWU provides an incredible opportunity to expose students to the next step in that journey."

For Laura Kubin, PhD, RN, organizer of the camp and College of Nursing professor, creating that kind of experience was the goal.

"The camp was successful from both a student and faculty perspective," Kubin said. "Students attended a three-day immersive, hands-on camp that introduced them to the intellectual, technical and leadership roles of nurses."

Kubin said the camp gave students an opportunity to explore nursing as a career while learning about the college admissions process, nursing education and opportunities available within the profession.

Faculty from the College of Nursing in Denton and Dallas collaborated to lead the camp, introducing students to nursing through realistic patient-care scenarios and hands-on instruction.

The experience left a lasting impression. Post-camp surveys showed students finished the program with more favorable perceptions of nursing, and several said they would consider nursing as a profession and TWU as the place to pursue their education.

Page last updated 3:59 PM, August 3, 2026