Capital Region high school trains future nurses, aims to tackle healthcare shortages

RENSSALAER, NY (WRGB) — A new specialty high school in the capital region is teaching the next generation of nurses and are looking for their next cohort of students to enroll.

The Nurses Middle College Charter High School in Rensselaer opened its doors this September to freshmen, integrating nursing skills into their everyday curriculum.

In Mrs.Schenk's science class, students are learning everything from biology, the bones in our bodies, to how to take your blood pressure.

"Well, I knew I always wanted to do something that required helping people and what better way to help people than being in the medical field,” said student Seiynh Walker-Cooks.

"I came here because I always wanted to be a pediatrician so I feel like this was a head start for college,” Niemah Johnson, a student from Albany.

These six students from all over the state are part of the first class at the new school.

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The 50 freshmen will graduate with a high school diploma, transferable college credits, and a nursing assistant or EMT certification.

“They will have an internship, a mentorship but also be out and about in the field visiting hospitals, other agencies to be exposed to the various careers in healthcare,” said Executive Director, Dr. Maxine Fantroy-Ford.

One of the goals of the school is to not only teach the next generation of nurses but fill a desperate gap in healthcare shortages.

"There were times during the pandemic that we thought, whoa this is a terrible time to start a school but actually it was the exact right time because the pandemic showed the light on nurses and what we do,” said Dr. Susan Birkhead, Board of Trustees Chair. “But also highlighted the issues within inequity in healthcare in the United states."

An important mission of the school is building representation in the healthcare field and preparing students how to interact with various cultures and communities.

"All across America and even in the Capital Region there are underrepresented individuals in the healthcare fields,” added Dr. Fantroy-Ford. “If we can increase that, it would mean the individuals that are being serviced will not only be more comfortable, but they will be more relatable."

Roughly 80% of nurses in the U.S. are white according to the American Association of College Nursing, 6% are black.

"No matter where you come from, you can do anything, you can be anything you want, you can do whatever you want in life. you don't have to hide or let others define who you can truly be,” said student Jayden Isreal from New York City.

Autumn Murray says it’s an opportunity to set an example for those younger than them, “I feel like working with people that look like us does benefit us because we can inspire younger kids that look like us."

The school is free and everyone is encouraged to apply. For more information about the school, click here.