| Learning Objective #1: Examine the components of a collaborative work-study college credit course designed to address the perioperative nursing shortage | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Explore longitudinal results (13 years) of this collaborative project, including expansion from one university partner to five |
In 1992, before the general registered nurse shortage was widely recognized, St. Vincent's Medical Center (SVMC), Jacksonville, Florida and the University of North Florida (UNF) partnered to take a proactive role in addressing the anticipated shortage of registered nurses trained in perioperative nursing. A collaborative work-study extern program was developed that included didactic material covering the range of work within the entire perioperative setting, and a practice component for which students received a stipend. The time commitment for students was approximately 30-40 hours per week for a 12-week period over the summer semester between their junior and senior years. Following successful completion of the course, students received three semester hours of credit, that could be used as the required elective in the nursing curriculum. All clinical and didactic sessions took place and were taught by staff at SVMC. Students were partnered closely with registered nurses in the perioperative setting.
Thirty-six of the 84 students completing the externship from 1992-2003 have been hired into the Perioperative Intern Program at SVMC. The retention rate has been excellent, and even those who have subsequently left SVMC have stayed in perioperative nursing in their new locations. The program has subsequently been expanded to include five universities in the northeast Florida and south Georgia region. The course itself has also been modified to allow for two enrollments each summer, enabling 12 students to complete the program each summer.