The West Prairie Press

By Madilynn Tones

Seven West Prairie High School students interested in nursing traveled to Western Illinois University on Feb. 27 to attend the School of Nursing Open House in Thompson Hall, where they explored the program through presentations, hands-on activities and conversations with current nursing students.

The group included seven students, six of whom were juniors, who spent the day learning about WIU’s nursing program and the opportunities available to students interested in the healthcare field.

Students first gathered for an overview of WIU’s nursing program before breaking into small groups to rotate through interactive stations. At each station, students practiced skills used in the medical field, including removing stitches, communicating with patients and assessing injuries during a mock emergency scenario.

Madison Adams, a junior at West Prairie, said the hands-on activities helped her better understand the work nurses do every day.

“We got to do a lot of hands-on activities,” Adams said. “My favorites were learning how to take out stitches and the mental health station that talked about how to connect with people, even little kids. There was also a station where we had to decide who needed immediate attention after an accident.”

Senior Macy Branch, who plans to attend WIU next year, said the open house strengthened her interest in pursuing a nursing career.

“I loved the nursing program at WIU,” Branch said. “My favorite part was going around to the different stations and exploring everything they had. The teen mental health station was especially interesting. Going to the open house pushed my feelings even more toward becoming a nurse because I want to help people.”

Student Services Director Heather Overstreet said experiences like the open house help students make informed decisions about their future careers.

“Attending events like the WIU School of Nursing Open House can help confirm a student’s interest in a particular career or help them realize it may not be the right fit,” Overstreet said. “Students also learn what high school courses will set them up for success and begin building connections with peers who share similar interests.”

With demand for healthcare professionals continuing to grow nationwide, opportunities like the WIU open house allow students to take an early step toward careers in nursing.

For these future nurses, the Feb. 27 visit may have been the beginning of a path toward helping others in the medical field.