Dozens of local high school students explored what the nursing profession is all about at the Summer Institute Nursing Exploration program at Mount Saint Mary College in July.
Dozens of local high school students attended Mount Saint Mary College’s Summer Institute Nursing Exploration Program, a free series of workshops that provided an immersive, hands-on dive into the profession.
Taking place with two separate cohorts in July, the weeklong workshops offered valuable insights from seasoned professionals and opportunities to connect with current nursing students.
The events were hosted by the Mount’s School of Nursing.
During the program, students gained practical skills through interactive workshops and simulations in the college’s state-of-the-art facilities. They learned important skills such as vitals monitoring, and engaged in high-fidelity simulations. They also explored various nursing specialties, including pediatrics, emergency care, and oncology, while hearing from professionals in the nursing career path.
The students also attended a panel discussion featuring current and recently graduated nursing students. The groups shared their experiences, pulling the curtain back on many aspects of nursing school and the profession.
The Summer Institute Nursing Exploration Program emphasized teamwork, stress management, and wellness, with students participating in team-building exercises and learning strategies for maintaining well-being throughout their nursing journey. Participants also had the opportunity to earn up to three certifications: Stop the Bleed, how to use Naloxone anti-overdose spray (often known by the brand name Narcan), and CPR/First Aid.
The second cohort heard from Mount Nursing students Melissa Diaz, a junior from Middletown, N.Y.; Annabelle Rivera, a senior from Middletown, N.Y.; and Catherine Vidal, a senior from Cortland Manor, N.Y. Also on the panel were recent alumnae Emily Schneider ’26 of Washingtonville, N.Y., who recently passed the NCLEX and got a nursing job; and Lisa Gordon ‘25, the 2026 Summer Institute Lead and Project RN Coordinator at the Mount.
When asked why she chose to become a nurse, Gordon said it was so she could give back to the community: “I decided to come back to the Mount to pursue nursing because I'd like to give back to another family in the way that that nurse gave to me and my family.”
Nurses often see patient success stories, but heartbreak is a norm as well. Schneider discussed her time in oncology last summer, and how it shaped her as a nurse.
“I would tell like my mom about it,” she said. “‘Today I had like this family and it reminds me of my grandma and my grandpa.’ I’ve seen people pass away at 45 years old. My grandparents are 82. It makes you very appreciative of your family’s health.”
She added, “When you have a calling for nursing, and you know that you’re making a difference in people’s lives, that really helps you get through the tough times at work.”