Belmont Partners with Harpeth Hall to Introduce Students to Health Care Careers

College of Nursing opens simulation labs to high school students for hands-on learning experience

In a unique partnership between two Nashville institutions that share historical roots, Belmont's College of Nursing welcomed Harpeth Hall students to campus over the past month, offering hands-on health care experience through the private school's Winterim program. 

Twenty-five freshmen and sophomore students participated in Healthcare 101, attending weekly sessions in Belmont's nursing simulation labs where they gained practical experience in taking vital signs, understanding kidney function and administering medications. 

"Working with the simulation labs at Belmont has created the opportunity for our students to extend and apply their learning from the classroom setting to the professional context," said Samantha O'Connor, Harpeth Hall's STEM teacher who leads the Healthcare 101 course. "Our students have developed an increasing appreciation for the teamwork, empathy and attention to detail needed for health care providers to dutifully care for their patients." 

The collaboration emerged from an effort to strengthen connections between Belmont's nursing program and local schools. Both institutions share a connected history, as Belmont originated as Ward-Belmont, which later split into Belmont University and Harpeth Hall School. 

"Early exposure to health care professions is crucial, especially given the current nursing shortage," said Dean of Nursing Dr. Julie Honey. "By opening our facilities to these students, we're helping young people explore the diverse career paths available in health care beyond medical school." 

The initiative represents an evolution of Harpeth Hall's Winterim program, which previously offered a more narrowly focused "Med School 101" course on campus. According to O’Connor, many of the 9th and 10th grade students who signed up for the course had an initial interest in the medical field, but did not realize the variety of occupations that exist within health care, or the training required for various health care occupations.  

“Our visits to Belmont have not only increased student awareness of the characteristics and skills required to be successful in nursing school and other medical training programs, but our time on campus has enlightened and affirmed many students’ interests in pursuing a pathway in the health care field,” said O’Connor.  

Through this partnership, both institutions aim to break down barriers to entry in health care professions by providing early hands-on experience and exposure to diverse career paths. 

“Our Harpeth Hall students have also commented that their experiences at Belmont have made their learning ‘feel real’ as they have been challenged with diagnosing and problem-solving through different patient scenarios,” said O’Connor. “Due to the thoughtfulness of Professor Ezell’s lessons, this hands-on, authentic learning environment has nurtured many students’ initial interests in patient care to more fully informed desires to consider a career in medicine.”