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Geisinger College of Health Sciences hosts future nurses symposium

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SCRANTON — From glucose testing to checking vital signs and treating an allergic reaction, about 100 high school students from throughout the region got a first-hand look into the nursing profession Tuesday at the Geisinger College of Health Sciences.

The students traded their swimming gear for stethoscopes during the Future Nurses Symposium at the school’s Medical Sciences Building on Pine Street as they received instruction from medical professionals while testing out the equipment themselves.

Geisinger nurses and current nursing students also shared their experiences and offered career path advice.

Maureen Murtha, executive director of Pathways Programs at Geisinger College of Health Sciences, said she believes events like the symposium are vital to both fill gaps in the job market and educate students about available opportunities.

“We run 11 different pathway programs for students who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and health and medical, and we wanted to have a specific program that focused on nursing because there is a lot of interest,’ Murtha said. “The primary mission is for them to learn about all the different pathways to get to nursing, whether it be starting as a certified nursing assistant, going the associate’s (degree) route, or getting bachelor of science in nursing degree, and then beyond that nurse practitioner and all the other opportunities.”

While many of the pathways programs take place during the school year, Murtha noted the college experimented by holding the nursing event in the summer and the response was positive.

“For it being a summer day in the middle of the week, they took time out of their summer vacation to come and they’re really engaged and inquisitive,” she said.

The students were broken up into groups and educated about different medical procedures like intramuscular injections, life support breathing and intravenous testing.

“It’s a very basic introduction and they got to do some hands-on type things, too,” Murtha said. “I hope it lights a spark and they realize all the opportunities and all the different pathways, and decide what’s best for them.”

Luis Vasquez, 23, of Hazleton, a recent University of Scranton graduate who works as a program coordinator for the Booth Farris Counseling Externship Program for the Geisinger College of Health Sciences, talked to students about resilience in nursing and finding their strengths.

Meanwhile, Karina Aquino, 22, of Scranton, a registered nurse, showed students the proper way to check a patient’s vital signs and believes the symposium offered valuable lessons for the students to build off.

“I feel like it’s a way to guide them in the pathway to caring for people,” she said. “We want to teach them to have compassion, and I feel like this is a big step in starting their own journey in this field.”

Melissa Ortiz, a rising senior at West Scranton High School, participates in Geisinger School of Medicine’s Physician Ready PA Smart program and strives to become a medical professional.

Ortiz – who was a premature baby – faced struggles early in life and continues to suffer from an autoimmune disease.

“I’ve always been thinking about how I can improve people’s lives, especially babies,” she said.

Toria Johnson of Scranton, who will be a freshman at Scranton High School this fall, also expressed aspirations to join the medical field.

“I really want to be a nurse to help people because there are a lot of people in the world that need help and not that many people who can help them,” Johnson said.

  • Registered nurse Karina Aquino demonstrates how to take blood pressure...Registered nurse Karina Aquino demonstrates how to take blood pressure on Pocono Mountain East student Haley Meinweiser, 17, during the Future Nurse Event at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Medical Sciences Building Tuesday, July 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
  • Nurse practitioner Lily Indrawati teaches students about glucose testing during...Nurse practitioner Lily Indrawati teaches students about glucose testing during the Future Nurse Event at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Medical Sciences Building Tuesday, July 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
  • Area high school students participate in a suturing exercise during...Area high school students participate in a suturing exercise during the Future Nurse Event at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Medical Sciences Building Tuesday, July 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
  • Registered nurse Karina Aquino demonstrates how to take blood pressure...Registered nurse Karina Aquino demonstrates how to take blood pressure on Pocono Mountain East student Haley Meinweiser, 17, during the Future Nurse Event at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Medical Sciences Building Tuesday, July 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Show Caption1 of 4Registered nurse Karina Aquino demonstrates how to take blood pressure on Pocono Mountain East student Haley Meinweiser, 17, during the Future Nurse Event at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Medical Sciences Building Tuesday, July 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand