youth with opportunities for ex-
periential learning contextualized
in the broad area of healthcare.
Specific programs target the un-
derserved. A secondary objective
of the youth programming is the
recruitment, tracking, and reten-
tion of Lehigh Valley youth into
healthcare careers, specifically at
LVHN.
LVHN developed a longitudinal
plan to recruit and retain talented
students. The organization estab-
lished youth programs at both
the high school and college level.
The goal of hospital-based youth
education programming is to in-
troduce students to the healthcare
field, provide education through
simulated and real-world experi-
ences, and offer valuable profes-
sional development skills (see
Figure 2).
1. Health Care Career Discovery:
This curriculum is a partner-
ship between LVHN, Lehigh
Valley colleges/universities,
and the Allentown School
District’s three high schools
and four middle schools. The
program exposes young learn-
ers to a variety of careers,
fields of study, and positive,
professional adult role models.
2. Emerging Health Profession-
als Program: This program
is offered in partnership with
Lehigh Career & Technical
Institute, Lehigh Carbon
Community College, and
Penn State Lehigh Valley. The
program combines healthcare
career and technical educa-
tion for high school seniors.
Options include college/uni-
versity courses, healthcare
setting observations, and
healthcare setting shadowing.
Figure 2.
Graphic edited and modified by Kerri J. Green, MS, MEd
Original creation of this graphic by: Margaret Hadinger, EdD
Issue 73, 1 2018 Pennsylvania Nurse 8
3. Research Scholar Program:
This program provides un-
dergraduate students with
structured research and
quality improvement project
opportunities across LVHN.
4. Clinical Nursing Rotations:
Rotations at LVHN expose
students to all aspects of th