title: Cooperative education. An innovative recruitment technique.
abstract: In the effort to solve the problem of our own nursing shortage, we concluded that an innovative and creative method must be sought to satisfy both short-term and long-term staffing needs. Statistics pointed to the dwindling enrollment figures in nursing programs, the lack of interest in a nursing career among high school students, and the generally declining number of college-age students. Our strategy was to tap a few students from that evaporating pool by hiring student nurses on a part-time basis in their senior year, giving them academic guidance throughout their clinical experience, and allowing them an opportunity to view the working role of the critical care nurse.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cusack
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Simenc
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000379:methods*; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods*; D013338:Students, Nursing; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D000078329:Workforce