Photo credit: Ning Zhu

Davenport University is hoping to help solve the nursing shortage by starting early. Middle school students from the Lansing School District were given a hands-on look at the world of health care during the university’s recent Nursing Exploration Camp. 

The weeklong interactive camp on Davenport’s Lansing Campus provided seventh- and eighth-grade students hands-on, age-appropriate activities while encouraging students to explore nursing and other healthcare careers.

The program was hosted through the Michigan GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant, a federally funded initiative that provides early intervention services and college readiness opportunities for middle and high school students. 

“Hosting the camp was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Samantha Wilber, program director and clinical coordinator at Davenport University Lansing Campus. “It was exciting to welcome the students to campus and watch their enthusiasm grow. They eagerly participated in each activity, asked thoughtful questions, and became more confident as they learned new skills.”

Throughout the week, students participated in anatomy stations, learned how to assess vital signs, practiced hands-only CPR, explored the many specialties within nursing, and completed activities focused on healthy eating and wellness.

The interactive experiences allowed students to develop new skills while gaining a better understanding of the diverse opportunities available within the nursing profession.

“One of the most remarkable aspects of the week was watching the students’ social and personal growth,” said Haley Putnam, Davenport University professional lab assistant. “On the first day, many participants were understandably quiet and shy, particularly those who attended different schools and didn’t know their peers. However, by the final day’s competition, the atmosphere had completely shifted. The students were actively collaborating, enthusiastically coming up with creative team names, and building new friendships. It was inspiring to see how quickly the hands-on environment fostered a sense of community and teamwork.”

Putnam said the camp also had a visible impact on the students’ future aspirations. Several participants started the week with very little interest in health care, but by the last day, they were expressing desires to become EMTs, nurses and surgeons. 

“I would absolutely recommend this camp to future GEAR UP students,” Wilber said. “It provides a unique opportunity for middle school students to experience a college campus, interact with nursing faculty, and explore a profession they may not have previously considered.”

Mid-Michigan GEAR UP is a 7-year program that supports a specific cohort of current 6th and 7th grade students as they move from middle school through high school graduation. The program stays with the same group of students each year, providing consistent academic, college, and career preparation. 

The program supports 1,791 current 6th and 7th grade students in Lansing School District, Ypsilanti Community Schools and Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System. The program will continue to support these students every year through high school graduation.

Jon Blackburn, interim director of the Mid-Michigan Gear Up grant, said additional camps are being explored in Ypsilanti and Muskegon Heights. The Mid-Michigan Gear Up grant will partner with Davenport University’s College of Technology in summer 2027 to offer a technology related summer camp.