The goal of the program is to provide nursing students with an opportunity to enhance previously learned skills under the direct supervision of experienced registered nurses in the healthcare setting.

"The externship program is a wonderful opportunity for our nursing students to enhance clinical skills and foster critical thinking before beginning the second year of their program. We appreciate the collaborative effort between the hospital and the University which will allow our students additional clinical experience in a health care setting," said Mary Jo Kirkpatrick, MUW Division of Nursing interim head.

According to national reports, the number of nurses in the workforce is expected to decrease over the next decade as baby boomers age and a large percentage of the current nursing workforce retires.

Student Nurse Externship Programs assist in recruiting new graduate nurses and decrease orientation time and turnover rates of new hires during the first year.

The eight-week program will be offered to BSN and ASN nursing students who have successfully completed one academic year of clinical courses in nursing and are in good standing.

Nurse externs will be assigned to a registered nurse preceptor with a minimum of one year’s clinical practice as a registered nurse. A BSN prepared preceptor is required for academic baccalaureate programs. The ASN academic extern may be assigned with to a BSN or ASN prepared nurse preceptor.

The grant, which will be divided into $75,000 per year over the next three years, will be given to MUW to be distributed among students as a stipend for participation in the program. The externs will work their assigned preceptor’s schedule, up to 40 hours per week at $10.50 per hour for eight weeks.

Externs will be allowed to perform all nursing activities in which they have received theory and/or clinical experience under the direction and direct supervision of the preceptor.

Mary Ellen Sumrall, BMH-GT chief nursing officer, said, "The externship program is an ideal way for us to establish early relationships with the students. It provides an excellent opportunity to familiarize the students with our hospital. Hopefully the program will provide an effective means to channel new graduates to seek permanent employment opportunities at Baptist."

The Student Nurse Externship Program is a joint effort between the Mississippi Hospital Association Organization for Nurse Executives and the Mississippi Council of Deans and Directors. The Education/Service Liaison Committee developed the guidelines for the program with input from the Mississippi Board of Nursing.