Unique nursing partnership
Saint Leo University nursing program’s Dedicated Education Unit’s (DEU) partnership with AdventHealth Zephyrhills provides hands-on training for students in the program. Those participating receive one-on-one training with nurse preceptors (mentors), to prepare future nurses and possible employees, according to a news release.
Saint Leo’s first group of nursing students completed their first clinical rotation at the hospital on March 20 and March 21, getting hands-on experience in multiple areas and specialties.
In a typical clinical model, a nursing instructor in the hospital mentors eight nursing students and each student is assigned to one patient. The instructor then rotates from student to student each shift.
With a DEU model, because the student is paired with their mentor, the student actually works alongside that nurse, who usually is assigned a caseload of patients.
Saint Leo students worked side by side for 12-hour shifts with their mentors and university nursing instructor Paige Porter for 12-hour shifts.
Student Martina Encomienda said, in the release, she was focused on becoming an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse, but after her experience and training she is now interested in becoming an orthopedic nurse.
The DEU could help ease the nursing shortage for AdventHealth Zephyrhills (and AdventHealth Dade City) as the students are prepared and ready to work.
The partnership will pick up again for the next academic year, providing students with new experiences and training.
Career & Tech Expo
Pasco County Schools will present a Beyond Career & Tech Expo on April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon for high school seniors and juniors, and from noon to 1 p.m., for middle school students, at Hudson High School, 14410 Cobra Way.
The event aims to connect Pasco County graduating seniors with certificate programs, apprenticeship programs, one-the-job training opportunities, employment opportunities and armed services opportunities.
For more information, email Jennifer Batchelor at or Jesy Rodriguez at .
Saint Leo casino fundraiser
The Saint Leo University Athletics Department will host a Casino Night fundraiser on April 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at its Wellness Center, on the west side of the campus at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo, for guests ages 21 and older.
Proceeds will benefit the school’s athletics department so its programs can provide a great experience for student-athletes and allow them to compete at the highest level of the Sunshine State Conference and NCAA Division II.
Tickets are $70 and include playing chips, hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for beer or wine. Guests can “dress to impress” in cocktail attire. There also will be a live DJ for dancing, a raffle and silent auction, as well as a photo booth.
Casino games include blackjack, roulette, slot machines, craps, Texas Hold’em, and a Big Money Wheel.
For tickets, visit SaintLeoEvents.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT.
For more information, email Dawn Boltin, associate athletic director of Business & Finance/SWA, at .
Earth Day contest
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is celebrating Earth Day by hosting its annual Earth Day Poster Contest, for grades four to 12. The theme is “Clean is Green: Preserving Florida’s Future.”
Artwork will be selected from each grade group (fourth to fifth grades; sixth to eighth; ninth to 12th) in each of DEP’s six district regions and winners will receive day passes for Florida State Parks. District winners will be entered into a statewide contest. The winning entries also will receive a full-size printed poster of their artwork.
For complete rules and guidelines, visit https://floridadep.gov/comm/comm/documents/earth-day-2024-rules-and-guidelines.
Poster submissions are due by 5 p.m., April 22. Winners will be announced in May.
HERricane Summer Camp
Pasco County Emergency Management is calling on high school students to step up and take part in its second annual HERricane Summer Camp, scheduled for July 15 to July 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pasco County Emergency Operations Center, 8744 Government Drive, Building A, in New Port Richey.
The free, weeklong program was developed in Arlington County, Virginia, and offers an opportunity for young women in grades nine to 12 to explore emergency management-related careers.
Female students enrolled in a Pasco County high school in August 2024, including incoming ninth-graders, can apply.
The program includes multiple sessions and activities with speakers from various fields. Upon completion, students will receive Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and 40 volunteer hours.
Interested students need to fill out an application, which includes a short essay question, and apply no later than May 3. Students younger than age 18 will need a parent/legal guardian signature.
To submit an application, visit https://pasco.rja.revize.com/forms/8319.
