RUTHERFORD, NJ—Felician University is inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals with the launch of its inaugural Nursing Immersion program, a two-week hands-on learning experience for high school students interested in exploring careers in nursing.

Part of the University’s new Summer Academy Program, the Nursing Immersion program introduced high school students to careers in nursing through experiential learning, simulation-based activities, and mentorship from nursing faculty and healthcare professionals. Hosted at the Barbara J. Toscano Nursing Resource and Simulation Center, the program reflects Felician University’s commitment to hands-on learning and academic excellence.

“Our goal is to give students a realistic and inspiring introduction to nursing,” said Dr. Mary Clare Smith, DMH, MSN, RN, CHSE, Associate Dean and Director of the Barbara J. Toscano Nursing Resource and Simulation Center and instructor in Felician University’s Prelicensure Nursing Program. “Grounded in a longstanding tradition of nursing excellence, Felician University prepares nurses who deliver exceptional patient-centered care. Amid profound shifts in healthcare technology, evolving access to care, and critical workforce shortfalls, it is crucial that our University and the School of Nursing engage the next generation of nurses to ensure that our communities have the expert support they need to not only remain well, but to flourish.”

Together with Professor Cathy Alvarez, who is facilitating the summer program, and in collaboration with School of Nursing Dean, Patricia Munno and the NRSC staff, Dr. Smith developed an experience that combines classroom instruction with interactive, real-world applications in Felician’s state-of-the-art simulation center.

Activities included a sensory simulation to build empathy for patients’ lived experiences and a simulated cardiac emergency introducing clinical decision-making. Participants also had the opportunity to earn CPR certification, complete “Stop the Bleed” training, and develop foundational skills in infection prevention, patient safety, health assessment, mobility, and basic patient care skills.

Community Partners and Special Guests

Making the Nursing Immersion program as robust as possible meant engaging with some community partners. A Fort Lee EMS crew was onsite one day to provide a comprehensive ambulance tour complete with an overview of all onboard equipment and supplies. Teaneck Fire Department Lieutenant Michael Tosney, ASD led the tour, as well as demonstrations focused on “stop the bleed” and wound care.

Other guest presenters included retired Valley Hospital NICU nurse Wendy Dabney, BSN, RN​; White Plains Hospital Physician Associates’ Christina Puzino, MSN, RN, ACLS, PALS, TNCC​; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Madelyn Vitamia, MSN, AGPCNP-C​; St. Joseph’s Medical Center’s Phillip Chaves, BSN, RN; and Epic at Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s Steven Ference, MSN, RN, CNOR. Additionally, Felician Nursing faculty members Dorante Dawn Richards, MSN, RN​; Carleen Graham, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN; and adjunct professor and Hackensack Meridian RN Meliam Gonzalez, DNP, RN led exercises. Guest presentations focused on such topics as neonatal nursing, trauma care, CPR, OR and cardiac nursing. Presenters Gonzalez, Chaves, and Ference are all Felician University alumni.

Career Exploration

The curriculum emphasizes exploration rather than technical mastery. During the two-week program, students studied anatomy and physiology, patient care fundamentals, emergency response, global health and medical missions, wellness, career exploration, and the student nurse experience. They also learned about nursing careers through presentations from experienced nurses representing a variety of specialties and conversations with current Felician nursing students.

The Summer Academy also introduced students to the personal qualities essential to healthcare, including teamwork, communication, resilience, professionalism, and compassionate patient-centered care.

As healthcare organizations continue to face growing demand for qualified nurses, Felician University’s Summer Academy Nursing Immersion program provides meaningful early exposure to the profession while inspiring students to pursue careers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their communities.

A New, Annual Campus Tradition

By all accounts, the inaugural class of 19 had a valuable and memorable experience. Students from Rutherford, Hasbrouck Heights, Clifton, Wallington, and Hackensack took part in the Academy this year.

“My favorite part was the simulation. It was fun learning what to do, what to ask the patient, and how teamwork truly works; also being able to experience what to do in a real-life situation.”

“I loved the presentations from different professions in nursing because it showed me the variety in nursing and provided me advice and understanding of the career.”

“I loved the mock code. I like how we got to apply what we have learned the past two weeks such as CPR, teamwork, communication, etc. I also loved the PPE escape room and the different activities we did that day. It was fun, interactive, and engaging. The vision boards were fun to make. I also enjoyed meeting so many new people and making new friends.”

Felician nursing faculty views this as the start of a new summer tradition on the University campus and the first of many Summer Academy programs geared toward introducing young students to the world of nursing.

Felician’s inaugural Summer Academy also included the Young Investors Club and a STEM College immersion program. Each program welcomed 15 students respectively.

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About Felician University

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 2,800 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Felician University was recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026, earning distinction as the No. 1 college for women in New Jersey. Additionally, Felician has been named a best value school by payscale.com and Money magazine, and as one of the best college locations in NJ (#4) by niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supportive environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list (#30). With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with people in need, justice and peace are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu/