In an effort to address the growing nursing shortage in Connecticut, the University of St. Joseph held its first of several nursing symposiums for high school juniors and seniors earlier this month.
Eighteen students attended the weeklong program, which was held at the West Hartford-based university from Aug. 1 – Aug. 5.
It’s the first of many symposiums the university plans on holding in the near future, university officials said.
Program facilitator Denise Puia, a registered nurse and 1991 graduate of the university, said the “the summer nursing symposium gave high school students a chance to learn more about the nursing profession and the career opportunities available to them. We also made sure to provide them with the resources necessary to successfully complete the college application process.”
The symposium was paid, in part, by Berkshire Bank, which provided a $10,000 grant.
The symposium featured, among other things, interactive hands-on simulations in the university’s state-of-the-art Nursing Education and Simulation Center; interaction with nursing professionals; and a campus tour.
