The NonLicensure Nursing Internship Program, (NLNIP) is an innovative project that was generated out of a need to recruit nursing students early in the formative years, in order to inspire a level of excitement toward the profession and clarify any misconceptions of the nursing profession. Thus, the purpose of this evidence-based project was to examine attitudes and beliefs of high school students towards nursing and assess their perceptions after participating in a nonlicensure nursing internship program.
Methods:
A descriptive study for the project was developed to gain a better understanding of how students perceived the discipline of nursing. High school students participated in a 40 hour program held over seven weeks. The participants completed pre-and-post questionnaires and a course evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed to determine if student perceptions and attitudes changed. A cost analysis was conducted to determine the sustainability of the program and potential to replicate the program.
Results:
The findings suggest that the NLNIP is an effective tool used to increase students’ attitudes and perceptions as they learn nursing skills. The NLNIP encourages the student to apply theory to practice, make good clinical judgments, improve decision-making abilities, and better communication skills between the student and the patients (mannequins) to provide safe patient care. However, the NLNIP also revealed there is a strong need to explore ways for improving the image and reputation of the nursing profession in the community and should be a high priority. The NLNIP program could certainly help improve the nursing image and reputation in the community by implementing future programs and exposing the community to the nursing profession.
Conclusion:
This innovative program has the potential to reduce the nursing shortage through early intervention with high school students by teaching applicants about the career trajectory of nursing. Dissemination of this evidence-based recruitment strategy is critical, as this can help to transform nursing education through future research.