Meeting The Future of Nursing Report Recommendations: A Successful Practice-Academic Partnership.

In collaboration with the University of Texas at El Paso, nurse leadership at Del Sol Medical Center implemented an internship program for nursing students in the final semester of a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The medical center experienced an increase in the proportion of BSN-prepared nurses, decreased orientation full-time equivalents (FTE), and lowered operating costs. The university experienced highly satisfied and competent new graduate nurses. The nurse interns averaged a 91.9% in-hospital registered nurse (RN) competency completion rate during the internship. All interns accepted a RN position at the medical center. Total savings for salaries, benefits, and recruitment fees at the medical center were $599,040 with a total FTE savings of 23.4 FTEs per week, over 10 weeks.

Duke Scholars

Author Nancy Munn Short School of Nursing