Graduate students in the College of Nursing will partner with South Central Iowa (SCI) communities to develop and present a plan focused on enhancing high school students' access to healthcare career pathways. This project will involve:

• County Selection: Students will work in teams, focusing within 7 of the 14 counties in the SCI region: Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Keokuk, Poweshiek, and Tama. Each team will complete a county assessment focusing on demographics, healthcare resources, and healthcare workforce resources for high school students. 
• Community Engagement: Engage with key stakeholders including students, teachers, guidance counselors, and healthcare contacts in SCI counties to gather diverse perspectives on healthcare career pathways and celebrate the unique strengths and opportunities within rural communities.
• Gap Analysis: Complete an in-depth examination of community data and high school resources, students will identify areas where current healthcare career pathways can be enhanced to better serve the needs of high school students and the broader community.
• Evidence-Based Recommendations: Students will propose actionable recommendations to optimize healthcare career pathways, supported by relevant research and best practices in high school healthcare career pathway development.
• Collaboration & Partnerships: Students will explore potential collaborations with high schools, healthcare facilities, and other organizations to create a comprehensive and supportive healthcare career pathway for high school students, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.