As part of the 2nd Annual The Nurses Magazine® Symposium & Awards, scheduled for October 22 to 24, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, The Nurses Magazine® (TNM) is excited to launch the K 12 Future Nurses Initiative™. This youth-focused program aims to inspire elementary, middle, and high school students by showcasing the exciting opportunities within nursing and healthcare.
The initiative connects students with nurses, nursing leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, colleges, universities, and community partners through engaging, age-appropriate educational activities.
From Curiosity to Career
Our aim is to encourage students to view nursing not just as a career but as a route to leadership, scientific discovery, service, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and creating a lasting impact.
Students will engage in interactive activities including Meet the Nurse: Real Stories, Real Impact, career exploration, healthcare demonstrations, talks with nursing professionals, college and career readiness events, and opportunities to learn about various nursing specialties and educational routes.
Programming will be customized for different age groups, starting with exposing younger students to the people and science behind healthcare, and progressing to helping middle and high school students understand nursing specialties, educational requirements, college options, scholarships, and career paths.
Why It Matters
The future of healthcare starts well before a student begins nursing school. Through early exposure to nursing careers, TNM aims to raise awareness, enhance the future healthcare workforce, and motivate students from communities across Central Florida and beyond to see themselves as future nurses and healthcare leaders.
A Community Investment
TNM encourages health systems, nursing organizations, colleges, universities, corporations, government agencies, foundations, professional associations, community groups, churches, and individual supporters to participate in this initiative.
Partner and sponsor support can help provide students with access, educational materials, meals and refreshments, transportation help, Future Nurses apparel, hands-on activities, career resources, scholarships, and other program requirements.
Together, we can introduce a child to nursing today and inspire a healthcare leader for tomorrow.
Learn. Explore. Be Inspired.
The Nurses Magazine® K-12 Future Nurses Initiative™
Building the Future of Nursing, One Student at a Time.
