Belmont Hosts Nurses Middle College Summer Camp

Hands-on summer camp paves the way for innovative high school program

In an effort to address the growing demand for nurses and diversify the health care workforce, Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) Nashville recently hosted a two-week summer camp, with several sessions taking place in Belmont’s new Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine building. The free camp offered seventh and eighth graders a unique opportunity to explore health care careers through hands-on experiences and engaging activities. 

This summer camp is the latest development in the growing partnership between Belmont University and NursesMC Nashville. Dr. Andrea Poynter, a former assistant professor at Belmont's Inman College of Nursing, was recently appointed as the inaugural executive director of NursesMC Nashville. The innovative charter high school, set to open in Fall 2025, aims to develop the next generation of nurses by immersing students in a nursing-focused STEM curriculum.  

The collaboration between Belmont and NursesMC aligns with both institutions' goals of addressing the nursing shortage and diversifying the health care workforce. By hosting this summer camp, Belmont is taking an active role in supporting NursesMC's mission to introduce young students to nursing careers early on. 

“The camp was truly groundbreaking in how it introduced young students to the nursing profession,” said Poynter. “We're not just telling them about health care careers — we're immersing them in real-world experiences through engaging, fun learning opportunities.”  

The camp's curriculum was designed to introduce complex health topics in an accessible and exciting way. Students participated in a wide range of activities, from creating songs with Belmont music faculty about the cardiovascular system to simulating the digestive process.  

"It was eye-opening for them," Poynter noted. “It's one thing to read about the human body in a textbook, but it's transformative to see, hear and feel how it works in real-time.” 

Thanks to HCA Healthcare and Belmont’s Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation, students were truly able to dive headfirst into medical simulations. At HCA's Center for Clinical Excellence, students participated in high-fidelity simulations, including delivering a baby using a manikin, responding to a coding patient, and experiencing virtual reality scenarios. 

At Belmont’s Simulation Center, campers experienced cutting-edge health care technology firsthand. Students practiced listening to lung sounds, heart sounds and bowel sounds using advanced manikins, gaining practical skills in a professional environment. As some of the first individuals to utilize this newly established facility, the students not only learned valuable skills but also played a part in christening a space that will shape the future of health care education. 

"Seeing them walk into this space and watching their parents take pictures of them standing on the steps in front of the building with the medical school in the background — that was already life-changing," Poynter observed. 

While the exposure to cutting-edge technology was undoubtedly eye-opening, the most significant takeaway from the camps was the showcase of diversity in health care — both in terms of career opportunities and the individuals who can pursue them. One camper said before the camps, she had never seen a nurse or a doctor who looked like her. The experience of seeing a diverse group of health care professionals working in various roles opened her eyes to possibilities she hadn't previously considered for herself. 

This experience underscores the importance of representation in inspiring the next generation of health care professionals.  Diversity remains crucial in addressing the need for a health care workforce that better reflects and understands the communities it serves. 

“Nurses Middle College is committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that students from all backgrounds see themselves in health care careers,” said Dr. Julie Honey, Dean of Nursing at Belmont. “By partnering with NursesMC, we’re able to provide these young students with role models and mentors who reflect the diversity of the communities they come from.” 

The summer camp is just the beginning of NursesMC Nashville's efforts to engage students. Poynter has plans for more camps during fall and spring breaks, aiming to provide more opportunities for interested students. 

With continued support from partners like Belmont University, HCA Healthcare and other community organizations, NursesMC Nashville is poised to make a significant impact on the future of health care in Nashville and beyond.