Exploring Nursing Careers with a National Girls' Youth Organization in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract

By 2030, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) expects a decline in the nursing workforce in the United States due to registered nurses retiring by 65 years of age (AACN, 2020). Other contributing factors to the reduction in the nursing workforce include workplace stress and demands. Healthcare organizations recognize a need to address the challenges health-care personnel face to ensure valuable patient care services are provided. Many community-based organizations and healthcare organizations have consulted to develop health career pipeline programs for the future healthcare workforce. Traditionally, health career pipeline programs target middle and high school students with a limited focus on elementary-age students. Community-based organizations are involved in developing and sustaining health career pipeline programs that focus on healthcare careers with school-age students. This project explores nursing careers with 13 fourth- and fifth-grade participants who are members of a national girls' youth organization in eastern North Carolina. The project's methodology utilized the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption-Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to implement the project's concepts of exploring nursing careers with elementary-age students. Introducing elementary-age students to health careers such as nursing and other healthcare careers provides career awareness, knowledge, and interest. Health career exploration programs between universities and community organizations that target youth provide an opportunity to increase the future nursing workforce. Developing health career pipeline programs with all community stakeholders ensures patients will have improved clinical outcomes and healthcare organizations focusing on the delivery of quality care.