Can an ADN Internship Program Prepare New RNs for Careers in Home Health Care Nursing? Findings From an Evaluation Study at Visiting Nurse Service of New York

Abstract

In view of shortages of baccalaureate-trained nurses, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York embarked on an initiative to determine whether associate degree nursing graduates, through an intensive internship program, can perform on par with baccalaureate nursing (BSN) graduates. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) internship resembles the existing internship for BSN graduates but includes supplemental educational components. A quasi-experimental evaluation design was developed to examine the formative and summative outcomes of the initiative. ADN interns were compared with BSN interns on retention in the internship, clinical thinking, assessment skills, productivity, and intention to remain in nursing. Data were collected at pre-and postintervention intervals. Findings reveal few significant differences between the ADN and BSN interns, suggesting that with competitive recruitment, appropriate support, and supplementary training, ADN interns can perform on par with their BSN counterparts. The small number of participants in the internship programs presents a significant limitation to the study findings.

Evaluating the Short- and Long-term Outcomes of a Post-BSN Residency Program

“…Newly emerging models for settings other than hospitals or for graduates of associate degree programs operate outside the AACN/UHC umbrella. 3,[5][6][7] Hospitals participating in the UHC/AACN consortium are required, among other things, to collect data from their NRs at specified intervals throughout the course of the 12-month program. 2 Four instruments are integral to the UHC/AACN database: the CaseyFink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey, 8 Gerber's Control Over Nursing Practice Scale, 9 the MuellerMcCloskey Satisfaction Scale, 10 and the Graduate Nurse Residency Program Evaluation.…”