The Global Impact of an Interprofessional Nursing and Health Sciences Educational Summer Academy

Purpose: The purpose of this educational summer academy is to create an opportunity for underserved, socioeconomically challenged, culturally diverse, minority students to be exposed to nursing and the health sciences through an intensive summer academy. To provide life changing experiences that will provide future possibilities and positive career decisions. To offer alternate career path choices that will improve the quality of lives through educational experiences in the healthcare profession. The educational summer academy evolved from the community partnership between the 100 Black Men of South Florida, Incorporated organization and Florida International University (FIU) - Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences (NWCNHS). The vision of the 100: Nursing & Health Sciences Educational Summer Academy is to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve as self-sufficient shareholders of the communities they serve. To create a positive transformation of society with a focus on the healthcare needs of underserved populations. The mission of the 100: Nursing & Health Sciences Educational Summer Academy is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities. To prepare diverse healthcare professionals and leaders in the delivery of high quality, culturally competent healthcare service to the community through interprofessional collaboration. To create, promote, expand, and validate scientific knowledge through research. We are committed to high-quality teaching, creative activity, and collaborative engagement with our local and global communities.

Methods: This educational and mentoring program was offered to the underserved young men enrolled in the 100BMSF Leadership Academy. The students were recruited by the 100BMSF Executive Team based on age, grade, and academic performance. The young men attended a 5-day, 8-hour summer academy hosted by NWCNHSs Simulation, Teaching, And Research (STAR) Center. All faculty time, student assistance, and space utilization was donated to the summer academy. At the start of the first day, the students were administered a pre- and post-test on knowledge in nursing and health sciences. The students were exposed to Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Athletic Training, and Health Services Administration faculty and their expertise where the students were actively engaged and involved in hands-on training. Each department supplied their objectives for each teaching session, interactive activity, and the academy curriculum was developed. Each department shared their profession, educational requirements, financial rewards, and learning activity and skills. Additionally, the students were exposed to staff presentations from the department of admissions, advisement, campus life, and study abroad. The students were also served breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks donated by 100BMSF and the NWCNHS Educational Summer Academy Team. At the close of the week, the students were rewarded with certificates of participation, FIU give-a-ways, and napsacks with FIU/NWCNHS admission and program information.

Results: Our 2015 educational summer academy yielded nine students, ages nine to 15, with about 40% male in attendance; all students were African American. The pre- and post-test results showed students increased their knowledge by an average of about 15% in all disciplines, with a significant increase in the category of Nurse Practitioners by almost 25%. Finally, there was a 100% student satisfaction with the summer academy.

Conclusion: The educational summer academy successfully forged a collaboration between NWCNHS & 100BMSF; obtained full support from the Dean of Nursing and Administration; received full participation from all disciplines, faculty, staff, and volunteers; secured full access to the STAR Center; completed the one-week summer academy; and met all program goals. Exposure of healthcare professions to students who would not typically be exposed, have the chance to make collegial choices, career opportunities, and life-style changes in a community that would not readily afford the opportunity.