Tar Heal Explorations returns to UNC School of Nursing, inspiring future nurses from diverse communities

Tar Heal Exploration Day, 2023 (All students pictures signed photo release form.)

The UNC School of Nursing is excited to announce the successful return of Tar Heal Explorations on April 1, 2023, following its transition to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tar Heal Explorations is an annual event organized by the UNC SON Association of Nursing Students (ANS) in collaboration with the National Student Nurse Association’s Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN) initiative. The event aims to inspire and encourage future nurses from historically underrepresented groups in American nursing.

This year, Tar Heal Explorations welcomed 70 Boy and Girl Scouts from across North Carolina to Carrington Hall. The event, which has been running since 2007, is a student-run community-focused initiative led by undergraduate nursing student members of UNC SON ANS. During the event, nursing students provided education and hands-on experiences through simulation stations. The stations covered essential topics such as stroke recognition, first aid, calling 911, healthy lifestyles and infection prevention.

The young Tar Heal Explorers, eager to become future Carolina nurses, were engaged and motivated throughout the half-day event. They actively participated in the activities and gained valuable knowledge and skills. As a token of their achievements, each Tar Heal Explorer received a nursing-focused Scout Badge, symbolizing their newfound nursing knowledge.

Tar Heal Explorations exemplifies the UNC School of Nursing’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the nursing field. By inspiring and empowering young individuals from diverse communities to pursue careers in nursing, the event contributes to creating a more representative and equitable healthcare workforce.

For more information about Tar Heal Explorations and the UNC SON ANS, please direct inquiries to Nancy Jo Thompson, DNP, MSN-ED, RN-BC, assistant professor and ANS faculty advisor.