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Two juniors from Career High School in New Haven, Connecticut, Isobo Erekeosima and Chaoxia Lu were awarded scholarships to participate in the Summer Nursing Immersion Program (SNIP) at Howard University this past summer.
During the six-week residential program, 20 students were exposed to enhanced academic and scientific survival skills to foster their interest in the nursing profession.
The theoretical basis for the design of SNIP has been formed, in part, by the success of the Yale-Howard Scholars Program.
"Our experience with immersing students in intensive research experience through the Yale-Howard Scholars Program has taught us that commitment to research careers as evidenced by graduate school enrollment and perception changes can occur through a six-week residential immersion program," said SNIP coordinator, Dr. Carolyn J. Harris.
She identified the program's four basic dimensions: - academic and scientific strengthening
- nursing career exploration and identity formulation
- socialization to college
- cultural expansion and social bonding.
Students had extensive preceptor experiences with professional nurses in the clinical, educational, research, or policy arena.
These experiences were complimented by structured classroom instruction, as well as social and culturally enriching activities, such as field trips to the National Institutes of Health, Capitol Hill, Kings Dominion, and the American Folklife Festival.
"It was a really great experience for me," said Chaoxia. "SNIP activities have improved my understanding of nursing and my academic skills.
They have helped me become more focused as I continue to explore my career options."
"The SNIP experience has made me more convinced that I want to go into the nursing profession," said Isobo. "By being a nurse, I will know that what I do can make a difference in people's lives, and that's a good feeling to have at the end of the day."
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