Opening doors to nursing: Pipeline programs prepare students for careers that uplift families and communities

For many young people, especially those in underserved communities, pursuing a career in nursing can feel out of reach. Limited access to strong science programs and few role models in health care or higher education create barriers that are difficult to overcome.

Opening doors for these students not only addresses Texas’ growing nursing shortage but also gives them a pathway to financial stability — uplifting their families and communities in the process.

That vision is taking shape through innovative “pipeline” programs at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. By blending mentorship, academic support, and hands-on clinical training, these initiatives are giving high school students early exposure to nursing careers and a clearer map to nursing school.

“Our programs help students access a profession with available jobs that have health and retirement benefits and even tuition support for continued education,” says Maja Djukic, PhD, RN, Co- Director of the pipeline programs. “This has a ripple effect and helps not just these individuals but everyone around them. This is good both for the field of nursing and the communities from which we are recruiting.”

The school’s first pipeline initiative, Advancing Visibility through Accelerated Nursing Curricula with Collaboration and Engagement (ADVANCCE), launched in 2023 with support from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and in collaboration with Memorial Hermann Health System. Twenty-five students from Houston Independent School District participated in a three-week summer intensive experience.

Inside the school’s Simulation and Clinical Performance Laboratory, participants experienced what it means to step into the role of a nurse. They practiced health assessments, placed electrocardiogram leads on manikins, and learned wound care. They also solved medication safety puzzles in an escape-room-style activity. Most importantly, students left with five industry-valued certifications: Basic Life Support, Bloodborne Pathogen, Stop the Bleed, HIPAA, and Medical Ethics. Of the 25 ADVANCCE students, 18 are in college, 7 are in pre-nursing, and 6 are in pre-health college programs.

“These certifications and clinical exercises give students more than exposure,” Djukic says. “They walk away with credentials that strengthen their employability and skills that help them take the next step on the path toward a nursing career.”

The program also prepared students for the realities of applying to and succeeding in nursing school. They met with admissions officers, practiced mock job and admissions interviews, and received resume assistance. They also developed teamwork and communication skills and met with mentors.

Building on the success of that first program, the school introduced Inspiring and Growing Nursing Interest Through Exploration (IGNITE) in 2024, with HCA Foundation providing financial support and HCA Healthcare serving as a clinical partner. With a one-week summer immersion program and one-day experiences throughout the year, IGNITE broadened participation to multiple school districts, including Channelview, Katy, Spring, Spring Branch, and Fort Bend. A generous gift from The John M. O’Quinn Foundation will fully fund one week of the program.

Interest in the program has grown rapidly, with more than 50 students participating in Summer 2025. The introduction of a self-pay option opened the door for an additional 70 students, tripling participation in just three years. Another 150 students took part in single-day immersion experiences throughout the year.

“The interest has been incredible,” Djukic says. “But while we can offer a self-pay option, it is essential to secure funding so students who cannot afford it still have the chance to participate.”

Support from the John P. McGovern Distinguished Professorship in the School of Nursing, held by Djukic, helped launch these initiatives. To sustain and expand the program—particularly into additional school districts and rural areas facing more severe nursing shortages—Djukic and Co-Director D’Hania Miller, MSN, RN, are seeking additional philanthropic funding.

“Looking ahead, we want to reach students earlier in middle school to help them chart a smoother path into nursing,” Miller says. “Ultimately, our goal is to scale this model nationally so that other nursing schools can support future nurses, too.”