Nurse Intern Program Outline

The intent of this program is to assist with the transition from student to neophyte nurse. This specialty tract is to include didactic components, clinical practicums, developmental skills, and professional growth opportunities.

We have created a pilot program which takes place on dedicated units and focuses on topics that will enhance the skills in priority setting, critical thinking, delegation, time management and disease process management.

• The classroom content with a focus on the care of clients across the continuum of life. This has been designed to complement a mentor-based orientation


• Direct, hands-on patient care, equipment and skills labs


• Clinical conferences with intern, mentor and clinical educator of the specified department occurs once a week and as needed to ensure that the needs of all team members are met.


• Individualized clinical experience will be based on the needs of the nurse intern and adapted to ensure success in the internship.


• It is the expectation that the intern will work with a pre-assigned registered nurse. The registered nurse will monitor the intern for all things which are applicable to both direct and in-direct client care.

This program is designed to facilitate entry into practice of a newly licensed registered nurse from an academic to a clinical setting. This program will allow the neophyte nurse to utilize learned skills through a non paid internship. The intern will be paired with a seasoned, trained registered nurse that will provide a strong foundation and mentor successful nursing skills.

During the designated training the nurse intern will not be allowed to carry a client assignment without direct over-view and does not have the opportunity to take on additional hours that may displace an employee.
The nurse intern assigned to the designated department will not be included in the daily assignments or affect the nursing staff count.

It is the mutual understanding between the nurse intern and Sutter Delta Medical Center that as this is a non paid internship there is no compensation or entitlement for wages during the specified weeks and/or length of the program.

While the intent of the program is to assist the registered nurse there is not a guarantee of employment at completion.

Evaluation Tool

• The intern will maintain an internship portfolio which will include hours worked, calendar of events, seminar presentations, written assignments/quizzes, peer and self evaluation of goals and completed competency and performance check-off lists.


• The internship supervisor will collect peer and self evaluations weekly and adjust the internship outline accordingly to meet the intern’s learning goals and objectives.

Agreement

• Nurses accepted into the Registered Nurse Internship Program are expected to adhere to professional/ethical standards of performance during the internship as required by SDMC and the profession.
  
• The intern will maintain Sutter Delta Standards of Behavior and maintain the integrity of a registered nurse at all times.


• Upon successful completion the intern may be offered a position if there are unit needs and positions available.


• The intern has the option to receive the training and utilize this information on his/her resume when seeking employment from another organization.


• The intern agrees to practice within his/her legal scope of practice as defined by the California Board of Registered Nurses.


• The intern acknowledges that the internship is “at will” and may be terminated at anytime, by either party.

Internship Termination
The internship may be terminated for the following reasons:

• Failure to attend internship as set forth by this agreement.


• Failure to comply with SDMC Standards of Behavior.


• Failure to comply with SDMC Privacy Act/ HIPPA regulations.


• Failure to follow SDMC policies and procedures.


• At will and anytime during the internship the intern may be terminated from the contract agreement.

Addendum A: Emergency Department Requirements

• Recently obtained Registered nursing license from Board of Registered Nursing


• Has liability insurance coverage


• Has obtained needed certifications ( BLS, ACLS, & PALS)


• Ability to commit to 24 hours per week of non paid training

Addendum B: Special Care Nursery Requirements

• Recently obtained Registered Nursing license from Board of Registered Nursing


• Intern has proof of personal liability insurance coverage


• Intern has obtained needed certifications for the nursing area of Interest/training. (BLS, NRP)


• Intern has the ability to commit to 36 hours per week of non paid training for a period of 8 weeks.