title: Development of a model home health nurse internship program for new graduates: key lessons learned.
abstract: A nursing shortage, the aging baby boomer population, an escalating need for home health care, and limited availability of health care dollars are threatening to undermine the quality of health care in the United States. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a deficit of 275,000 full-time equivalents by 2010 (-12%) and a deficit of 800,000 by 2020 (-29%). This article focuses on one home health agency's strategy to support nurse graduates transitioning from student to professional nurse. Based on Benner's (1984) hallmark theory from novice to expert, the goals of this program are to enhance job satisfaction and social integration, facilitate autonomy, increase critical thinking and psychomotor skills, and develop additional competencies. Eleven key lessons learned are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Community Gerontological Nursing, Delaware Technical & Community College, Stanton Campus, Newark, DE, USA. jboguslawska@verizon.net
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shur Coyle
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration