Lubbock students learn nursing basics at TTUHSC Next Stop camp. See photos. - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

This annual program specifically targets local teens, aiming to spark early interest in vital healthcare careers right here in West Texas. Participants navigated realistic simulation labs, giving them a hands-on feel for patient care scenarios without any real-world pressure. Experienced faculty and current nursing students from TTUHSC guided them through each station, answering questions about the demanding but rewarding profession.

For Lubbock, this camp directly feeds into the local healthcare workforce pipeline. These early experiences could encourage more young people to pursue their medical education and careers right here on the South Plains. That means a steady supply of homegrown talent for our hospitals, from Covenant on 19th Street to UMC over by Tech. It helps ensure area residents will have qualified medical professionals ready to serve them for years to come. Some of these students could be caring for us at a local hospital in less than a decade.