Date of Graduation
Fall 12-16-2016
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
Department/Program
Nursing
First Advisor
Barter, Marjorie
Second Advisor
Buccheri, Robin
Third Advisor
Mayhew, Marty
Abstract
Abstract
Discussed for decades, the need for transitional experiences bridging educational and practice settings gained momentum in the mid-1970s with the release of Kramer’s groundbreaking book Reality Shock: Why Nurses Leave Nursing. Nursing student internship programs were developed in the 1970s as one effort to address this issue. The Northern California Region of Kaiser Permanente partners with five universities to conduct the Nursing Student Work-Study Internship Program (WSP). The program provides senior level nursing students with a paid internship in clinical practice settings, working under the supervision of RN preceptors. The aim of the program is to improve the intern’s perception of readiness for practice as professional RNs. An evidence-based, change of practice, quality improvement project was conducted to improve the organization’s existing Nursing Student WSP. Interventions included an evaluation of the WSP structure, processes, and outcomes, and development of evidence-based resources to address identified gaps. The 2008 Casey Fink Readiness for Practice Survey© was administered to the 2016 cohort prior to and at the conclusion of the internship as a measure of the WSP impact on intern’s progression toward professional practice and demonstration of value to the organization. Quality improvement measures had a positive impact on nursing student interns and demonstrated program value to the organization.
Recommended Citation
Wallace, Jonalyn M., "Nursing Student Work-Study Internship: Partnering to Bridge the Education-to-Practice Gap" (2016). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects. 86.
https://repository.usfca.edu/dnp/86
