Keiser University Community Health class Bachelor of Science in Nursing students recently enjoyed partnering with Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches elementary school children while delving into career exploration, budgeting, and entrepreneurship.
Led by Program Faculty member Pamela Kramer, as part of the class’s prevention strategies objectives, the JA College Champions program partnership provided insights into the social determinants of health and the impact poverty, education, social inequalities, environment, and access to healthcare can have on a community’s health and well-being.
“The social determinants of health are what influence the choices of community members and have an impact on lifestyle,” said Kramer. “In summation, a person’s lifestyle has a direct impact on their health and a person’s lifestyle starts in utero,” added Kramer.
Interactive lessons included a focus on the combined effects of individual effort and community collaboration, discerning monetary necessities and discretionary spending, the importance of voting, and more. While describing the program to author Denise Sawyer for a recent Junior Achievement Financial Literacy article, Ashley Schroth, Junior Achievement’s Elementary Programs Manager shared how the opportunity benefits learners of all ages. “The college students get to sharpen their communication and leadership skills, while the elementary students gain access to important life skills that will set them up for future success,” she said while adding, “The kids really look up to the college students as role models. This experience engages the elementary students and inspires them to dream big,” she said.
The Keiser University FastTrack Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is offered for students beginning their first professional nursing program, in a format that allows students to complete the program of study in four semesters (after general education credits and prerequisites are evaluated and/or completed). Graduates will be prepared to provide compassionate, patient-centered, culturally competent nursing care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations in a variety of settings, using evidence-based knowledge and skills related to wellness, health promotion, illness, disease management, and end-of-life care to improve healthcare outcomes. They will practice in partnership with patients as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams, utilizing the most current healthcare technologies.
Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associate to doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 21 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report in 2023-24.
Keiser University Nursing students (L-R) Kenny Nessi Maduro, Michael Lund, Chassidy Khamninh, Annelice Reyes and Jack Leo Semana
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
