Externship

Abstract: This article reports the qualitative findings from a focus group interview conducted with six currently registered nurses who participated in a summer nurse externship program. It is Part II of a three-part study that examined the influence of nurse externship programs on the transition process from graduate to professional nurse. The focus group explored the perceptions of former nurses about the impact of the externship program on their transition into the professional nurse role. In the role of nurse externs, individuals were able to view, experience, and, consequently, come to understand the culture of nursing in an acute healthcare system without being full-fledged members of it. Three themes induced from the analysis of the findings were as follows: (1) being a part of the real scene; (2) figuring out the environment; and (3) gaining awareness and becoming frightened.

Abstract: Factors hypothesized to affect perceived competency levels of graduating seniors were examined in three classes from a BSN program in a large southeastern university (N = 204). Although externship participation was unrelated to perceived competency, employment in a health care setting during the nursing program was positively related. Trait anxiety and social support were also significantly related to competency. A pervasive theme in both quantitative and qualitative data was students' desire for more practice of technical skills. Students also expressed the desire for more positive feedback from faculty. There are a number of implications of these findings, including curricular modifications, identification and intervention with highly anxious students, and increased faculty caring and support. Given the rigor of the professional nursing role, we owe it to our graduates to send them into the work arena with a healthy sense of self-confidence.

Abstract: Objectives: The present study assessed recent dental graduates’ educational experiences with regard to competency development in different learning contexts and preparedness for independent professional performance. Methods: The present study employed a questionnaire examining University of Manitoba graduating dental students’ confidence and perceived importance of 47 competencies expected by the ACFD/CDA by requiring students to rate each competency on a five-point Likert scale. In addition, contribution of each of the three learning environments (classroom, clinic, and externship) towards competency development was assessed. Results: Recent graduates reported most confidence in areas of basic clinical procedures involving radiographic, pharmacologic and caries management, with least confidence in implantology, orofacial pain, trauma and surgical management. Most importance was attributed to interpersonal-communication and basic clinical skills, with least importance in scientific research, implantology and prosthetic laboratory aspects. Overall, graduates felt that clinical setting contributed the most to competency development, followed by classroom and then externship contexts. Conclusion: Graduating students’ professional preparedness can reflect the quality of dental programme. However, the amount of importance that graduates place on each competency might impact their confidence in the associated competencies and vice versa. In addition, learning settings must be effectively utilised for particular competencies’ development.

Abstract: Little is known about the perceptions of nursing students externing in newly developed hospital-based programs that focus on socialization and transition to the registered nurse (RN) role rather than on institutional recruitment and retention goals. This qualitative study explored student nurse externs' expectations, experiences, and benefits of participation in a student-focused externship program. Externs wanted to gain experience with skills and learn what it was like to be an RN. Goals were met or exceeded by becoming comfortable in the externship role, growing in skill performance and confidence, and becoming members of the healthcare team. The experience fostered growth from the novice to advanced beginner level of nursing practice. Externs saw the program participation as a valuable way to gain experience and learn what it was like to be an RN.