FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Shayla Barr will graduate from the University of Arkansas’ Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in a few months, but before she goes she and other students will spend time with area high school students talking about the profession of nursing.

Barr actually will continue her role as chairwoman of the Breakthrough to Nursing committee of the school’s Student Nurses Association after she graduates. She hopes the group can extend its reach to junior high and elementary schools this fall.

“We will answer questions about the University of Arkansas, too, but our goal is to educate students about nursing in general,” Barr said.

Barr put time and energy into the effort, researching the wide range of jobs available to nurses to show the students they have many opportunities in addition to working in a hospital or as a school nurse. She also created a video by stopping students on campus to ask their impressions of nurses. She uses the video as an ice-breaker when talking to high school classes.

Teresa Briggs jumped at the chance of having the nursing students visit her medical professions class at NorthWest Arkansas Community College Regional Technology Center (formerly West Campus) in Fayetteville.

“Teenagers often learn better from others closer to their own ages,” Briggs said. “I teach a general introduction to medical professions — nurses, doctors, physical therapists, even mortuary sciences — and the more information I can give my students the better they are able to make decisions for themselves.”

Teri Malm and Rebecca Schneringer, instructors in the nursing school, serve as faculty advisers for the group. Barr has done well organizing the events and motivating others to take part, Malm said, in what she described as an important initiative to update the image of today’s nurses.

“It’s important for our students to get into the high schools to show the new image of nursing,” Malm said. “We are no longer the white-stockinged, white-cap wearing women. We have more men than ever, more diversity, and we need all of these people in the profession to make it complete. Also, what nurses learn today is far more technologically advanced than in the past. High school students today are also technologically advanced, but they may not see that aspect of nursing.

“It’s such a different profession than it was 10 years ago,” she said.

The service aspect also appeals to students such as Barr.

“Nursing is a profession that has an impact on people’s lives, directly and by example,” Barr said. “That’s what I like to do, provide leadership and promote nursing in a positive way.”

The nursing students will visit Springdale High School from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, and spend the day at NorthWest Arkansas Community College Regional Technology Center in Fayetteville on Thursday, April 20.

More information about Breakthrough to Nursing is available at www.nsna.org/activities/breakthrough.asp.