Retention of new graduate nurses who have completed an extensive and expensive clinical orientation and training program is critical in light of the current nursing shortage. The objective of this study was to identify the key elements of an existing Internship Program that contribute to job satisfaction and increased retention of interns and preceptors. A retrospective correlational design using quantitative data was employed through mailed surveys. Interns received a 51-item Likert scale survey while the preceptors received a 35-item Likert scale survey. Adult learning principles and nurses' ethical obligations provided the conceptual framework for the study. Inclusion criteria included preceptors being out of the staffing count, limited number of preceptors per intern, and weekly educational progress meetings.

Data were collected from 106 interns and 125 preceptors. Spearman rank-order correlations were used to examine associations of the individual survey items with the respondents' (1) general satisfaction with their employer, (2) current position in their department, and (3) the intention to continue working for 2 years. Findings indicate some differences and similarities between the interns and preceptors. Belief that the overall quality of patient care in their department was very good had the strongest association to all three items for the interns. Satisfaction with manager availability, the belief that they handled ethical issues in practice appropriately, and satisfaction with nursing as a profession also had a strong association. For the preceptors, satisfaction with nursing as a profession had the strongest association for all three items. Quality patient care and a work setting that positively influences ethical decision making also had a strong association.

The data provides some insight into key elements of an Internship that contribute to job satisfaction and increased retention, however further research is needed.