Tidelands Health provides behind-the-scenes look at nursing careers to high-school students

Sept. 26, 2025
Contact: Dawn Bryant
Tidelands Health
(843) 652-1636
dbryant@tidelandshealth.org
 
News for Immediate Release:

Tidelands Health provides behind-the-scenes look at nursing careers to high-school students
High-school students interested in a health care career got a behind-the-scenes look this week at what it’s like to work as a nurse at Tidelands Health.
Thirty students from schools across Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties earned spots in the health system’s competitive Nurses are Extraordinary program, a day-long event at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital and Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital. This year, more than 80 students applied to participate, the most in the program’s history. 
“We really value partnerships with our local schools and giving students in our region as many opportunities as possible to learn about health care careers,” said Ashley Odom, student program specialist at Tidelands Health. “Nurses are Extraordinary is a wonderful way for students to come on site to our hospitals and see health care career opportunities for themselves, ask questions directly to our clinical team members and get a glimpse into this rewarding career.”  
Students learned from hands-on experiences, including swaddling a baby manikin, practicing CPR, donning protective suits used in surgery and much more.  
They also discovered the range of nursing careers available, including certified registered nurse anesthetist, cath lab nurse, critical care nurse, surgical nurse and more.   
Georgetown County Fire EMS, Georgetown City Fire Department and Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire District also provided lessons and a tour of a medic unit and fire truck.  
“I feel like this event really helps make a good impression,” said K’ya Rivens, a junior at Waccamaw High School. “There’s some stuff I didn’t know before this event, and now I feel like I’m heading in the right direction to becoming a registered nurse.” 
The Nurses are Extraordinary program is one example of Tidelands Health’s innovative and dedicated efforts to develop future health care professionals.
Through its McRoy and Jo Skipper Initiative for Learning and Teaching, the health system offers numerous programs for students to learn alongside team members and behind the scenes, including a nurse apprenticeship program and job shadowing opportunities. Tidelands Health also serves as the health sciences pathway leader at the annual Pathways 2 Possibilities interactive career expo in Myrtle Beach, which is attended by more than 7,000 eighth graders in the region. 
Learn more about student opportunities at Tidelands Health here. 
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About Tidelands Health
Tidelands Health, in collaboration with MUSC Health, is the region’s largest health care provider, serving the Carolinas at four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. More than 2,500 employee, physician and volunteer partners work side by side with our communities to transform the health of our region – promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.