BayCare’s Diane Rauch Camp Nurse Jr. Inspires Young Students

During the respiratory therapy session, campers got to see pigs’ lungs, and if they were brave, touch them. They also were introduced to vest therapy, which helps patients who have difficulty clearing airway mucus. Those who wanted to were able to wear the vest and feel the increasing vibrations and pressure, controlled by the therapist to dislodge the mucus. 

In the OR presentation, the campers were brought to an actual operating room at Mease Dunedin, complete with monitors and a table full of surgical instruments. Everyone gowned up and each could take a turn during a mock laparoscopic procedure using graspers to remove pieces of candy from the “patient’s’’ abdomen.

Each session brought new experiences, piqued curiosity, and engaged the campers in an interesting way. 

Once, in between sessions, the students were asked what they wanted to be one day, and they weren’t shy about sharing their dreams. There was a wide range of replies, including: general surgeon, paramedic, nurse, pediatrician, pharmacist and psychiatrist.

On the final day, BayCare’s Chief Nurse Executive Lisa Johnson spent some time with the group and talked about her love of nursing, which was her childhood dream.  
Tartaglia, in her first year as program director, couldn’t have been happier with the three days. “It’s really encouraging to see young people like this group that are so bright and eager to learn and interested in sharing their learning with each other.’’
 
The camp is named in honor of benefactor Diane Rauch, a longtime nurse in the community who had a great love for children. Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation has been a generous supporter, too.