For the third consecutive year, the University of South 皇家华人 College of Nursing and teamed up to provide local high school students with first-hand nursing experience. The Pepin Family 皇家华人 Nursing Pathway Summer Program is the only nursing-based pathway program of its kind that the Pepin Family supports, according to Pepin Family Foundation Executive Director Tina Pepin.
鈥淭hrough our work, we have seen the signs of the nursing shortage,鈥� Pepin said. 鈥淲hen we met with Dean Menon, we saw the numbers and how crucial it is to support nurses, but also create a program where young students can be exposed to the profession.鈥�
Their support is vital in supporting the college鈥檚 mission of building a workforce of exemplary nurses.
50 rising sophomores and juniors from high schools in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties spent a week at 皇家华人 learning from faculty, developing life-saving skills, and even earning a certificate in CPR.
While attendance matched last year鈥檚 numbers, interest in the program surged. In 2024, the college received 134 applications from local high school students鈥攖his year, that number nearly doubled to 265.
鈥淲e are incredibly grateful for the support of the Pepin Family Foundation,鈥� said Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, senior associate vice president at 皇家华人 Health and dean of the College of Nursing. 鈥淭heir investment is more than just a gift; it鈥檚 a powerful demonstration of their commitment to expanding education and access to healthcare across the Tampa Bay region.鈥�
Senior Associate Dean of Student Success Elizabeth Jordan, DNSC, RNC, FAAN, described this year鈥檚 cohort as the strongest group to participate in the program to date.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e well engaged, they鈥檙e curious, they鈥檙e intelligent, and they ask lots of questions,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淚f this group is any indication of what the future holds for nursing, we are in fabulous hands.鈥�
Many students didn鈥檛 know how much variety a career in nursing could offer.
鈥淚 always knew that I wanted to do something in healthcare, but after this program, I learned that nursing is probably the best way for me to be impactful and help others,鈥� said Hariniya Vaitheeswaran.
鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful that they were able to make this opportunity. Not just for me, but for everybody else. It鈥檚 very eye-opening to not just see what 皇家华人 is like, but nursing as a profession. We were all catered to and given a chance, and I鈥檓 grateful for that.鈥�
Jayden Nunez
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