UMSON has collaborated with P-TECH Healthcare to introduce the first nursing pathway to P-TECH students in Maryland.
After three years, UMSON’s Nurse Support Program II grant-funded participation in the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program is wrapping up at the end of June. UMSON has collaborated with P-TECH Healthcare at Dunbar High School in West Baltimore and Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) to introduce the first nursing pathway to P-TECH students in Maryland. In six years or fewer, students graduate with a high school diploma and a no-cost, two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) from BCCC. Eight Dunbar P-TECH nursing pathway students are anticipated to matriculate to the ADN program at BCCC this fall.
For its part, UMSON has recruited and educated nurse mentors to support P-TECH nursing pathway students and has connected faculty members and other nurses with students through information and storytelling sessions, providing students with the opportunity to hear directly from nurses of diverse backgrounds and work experiences, including those who grew up and went to school in West Baltimore. Prior to the pandemic, UMSON also hosted P-TECH nursing pathway students at its Baltimore location, where they had a pizza lunch with faculty and grant members.
“Educational sessions, informal in nature, have been offered throughout the school year so the high schoolers can learn about educational pathways to becoming a registered nurse,” said Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, associate professor and the grant’s principal investigator. “Meeting and talking with nurses has helped the students solidify their desire to pursue the P-TECH nursing pathway.”
Photo: Trocky (far left) with P-TECH students, in white shirts, and other University of Maryland, Baltimore employees during the students’ visit to UMSON in 2019.
THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN THE SPRING 2021 ISSUE OF NURSING FOR/UM MAGAZINE.