Like much of the United States, Washington State is facing a potentially severe lack of qualified healthcare professionals in the coming decades. According to The Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University of Washington, we may be short nearly 25,000 RNs by 2020. Since the hospitals with the highest nurse/patient ratios are often the ones with the highest survival rates, it’s in everyone’s best interest to encourage young people to consider healthcare as a profession.

To support the next generation of healthcare workers, Salal Credit Union is participating in Washington Business Week’s Healthcare Pathway summer camp. The week-long program gives high school students with an interest in the healthcare industry an opportunity to experience some “real-life” situations at a simulated community health clinic. Salal is sending two of its branch managers to act as Company Advisors; they’ll work with students, offering advice, support and guidance during the week.

Our participation doesn’t end there: at the end of the week, Salal CU will be awarding one Healthcare Pathway student a $3,000 scholarship to continue studying in a healthcare-related field! To qualify for the award, the student must maintain a 2.5/4.0 GPA, write an essay to answer a question posed by a panel of Salal staff, and demonstrate leadership during the week of camp.

The WBW camps offer unique opportunities for students to explore possible careers in healthcare, business, manufacturing and construction. And, because the camps are staffed with volunteer professionals, students get immediate, applicable feedback and guidance. For more details on Washington Business Week and the summer programs, check the WBW website.

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