TAMU-CC Launches First-Ever Islander Nursing Summer Camp
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – BreAna Viesca ’25 can still remember her first day of nursing school at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Excitement, nerves, and a little bit of doubt all joined her as she took the first big step into a career she had always dreamed of.
“Our first lesson couldn’t have been easier. It was literally putting on sterile gloves,” Viesca remembers. “I thought I had it handled, but my professor came up to me, and the glove popped. It was a mess. I laugh about it now. I can assure you that I’ve gotten a lot better.”
Viesca, who hails from the small southwest Texas town of Louise, is now a month away from graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has gotten so good at her craft that she is now helping train the health care professionals of tomorrow as a mentor during the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ first-ever Islander Nursing Summer Camp. The camp is designed to give high school juniors and seniors with an interest in the medical field a glimpse of what a career in the health care industry could be like.
“It’s really cool to see the campers light up as they learn more about what nurses do,” said Amiee Griffis, Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing Education. “One of the things we’ve taught them is checking for vital signs. They actually got to hear the blood pressure. When they heard that for the first time, it was wonderful to see their amazement.”
CPR training, wound care setup, and inserting a breathing tube are just some of the skills the high schoolers are introduced to at this week-long camp. Virtual reality is also being used to give campers a look at different medical procedures, including delivering a baby.
“I think my favorite part has been getting into the simulation labs because it’s really cool to get to practice all these skills,” said Uduak Ofong, a senior at Veterans Memorial High School in Corpus Christi ISD. “The manikins are so lifelike, it feels almost real. It’s really invaluable practice.”
For many campers, a career in health care was inspired at an early age. Some were inspired by family members, others from early exposure at school, and for some, it was a bit of both.
“In my freshman year of high school, I took an introduction to health science class, and in my sophomore year, I took a medical terminology class. Those classes really grabbed me,” said Julie Zavala-Cruz, a junior at Ray High School in Corpus Christi ISD. “My sister-in-law is also a medical assistant, and she is one of the people who inspired me to come to this camp and further my studies in health science.”
With nursing shortages impacting hospitals across the nation, the hope is that this exposure to the nursing and health care fields will ignite a spark that could eventually help alleviate the health care professional shortage, especially here in the Coastal Bend.
“I think it is extremely important because this is the time, right now, when it’s going to shape their image of what they want to do,” Griffis said. “As juniors and seniors in high school, they’re thinking about their future. So, if we can turn on that light bulb right now, hopefully, we can help grow the ranks of the nursing profession.”
This exposure to the nursing and health care field at Islander Nursing Camp is also helping expose the campers to the tools and education specifically offered by the TAMU-CC College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“After seeing all that they have in their program, I think it’s convincing me to stay here,” said Brylee Wall, a senior at Veterans Memorial High School. “They have a lot of good opportunities here, and a lot of nice people. That’s really encouraging to see.”
As Viesca’s time on campus wraps up, being a mentor at this camp has been a full-circle moment. She remembers being in the shoes of these young campers, once dreaming of a future in nursing. Today, she stands as a living example that those dreams are within reach.
“I feel like I was just their age a second ago,” Viesca said. “This nursing program at TAMU-CC is incredible, and I’m so grateful that I came here.”
Islander Nursing Summer Camp, which also features presentations from local hospitals including CHRISTUS Spohn Health System and Corpus Christi Medical Center, will have a second summer session from July 7-11. Limited spots are available. The camp fee is $200 and includes lunch.
