Camp BONES: a partnership initiative to engage underrepresented adolescents in a career in nursing at the baccalaureate level

The nursing profession is confronted with significant challenges related to the ever-increasing shortage and lack of diversity in the workforce. To address these challenges, a program for underrepresented middle school students was developed collaboratively between local school districts, academia, and health care partners. The program, Camp BONES, included a 2-week summer camp and follow-up weekend and summer camp experiences for students. Experiences were provided to explore critical thinking skills in the simulated laboratories at the university, as well as at clinical practice areas in nursing. The program was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and self-efficacy theory. Early evaluation of the program revealed positive accolades and students' increasing interest in pursuing nursing as a career. Collaborative programs between academia and practice areas, such as Camp BONES, provide important opportunities for middle school students to explore and engage in the nursing profession during the formative years.