Health Care OpportunitiesDelta Workforce Investment AreaSummer Nurse Extern Program

DOL Recovering America’s Youth SummitDallas, Texas

December 1, 2009Mitzi Woods, WIA Director

Delta Workforce Investment Area

Delta Workforce Investment Area

MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF NURSING WORKFORCE Established in 1996 by Mississippi Legislature Robert Wood Johnson grant “Colleagues in

Caring” Purpose: Developing a nursing workforce able

to carry out the scope of service and leadership tasks required of the profession by promoting a strong educational infrastructure between nursing practice and nursing education.

MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF NURSING WORKFORCE

Recognized as the “authentic voice” of the healthcare workforce community

Focuses on the recruitment and retention of nurses and solutions to the nursing shortage

Collects, analyzes, and disseminates nursing workforce supply and demand data.

SUMMER STUDENT NURSE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Jointly sponsored by the MHA Organization for Nurse Executives and the MS Council of Deans & Directors of Schools of Nursing

In existence for over 20 years

Statewide Initiative

WHY DID WE DO IT? 50% of new graduates leave their first job within 6

months Hospital staff report new graduates who have

completed an extern program have stronger clinical skills, confidence, and a smoother transition from student to new graduate.

In 2007, 28 students were offered extern experiences and successfully completed the program in 5 Delta hospitals by leveraging funds through the Delta Health Alliance Initiative. The hospitals project hiring 23 (82%) of these externs upon graduation, therefore retaining these nurses in the Delta.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM Provide students in nursing

with an opportunity to enhance previously learned skills under the supervision of experienced registered nurses in the healthcare setting;

Assist students of nursing to experience acceptance in a work situation appropriate to their potential as future registered nurses;

OBJECTIVES OF THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM Prepare students to assume

responsibilities of full-time employees with respect to performance requirements, policies, and procedures of a health care agency;

Encourage retention of nursing graduates through provision of supplemental practice experience within the workplace.

PARTICIPANTS

The Externship Program is offered cooperatively between local hospitals and area schools of nursing throughout the state.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM Offered to students after

successful completion of year one in nursing school

Lasts 8 weeks or 320 hours @ $8 to $10 per hour

Earn college credit Classroom learning and

clinical orientation with a Registered Nurse (Preceptor)

Hands on experience Earn a paycheck

BENEFITS Student

Practice Skills Observe Experience “real life” as a

nurse Future job opportunity

Hospital Excellent Recruitment Tool Promote Retention Supports budget Nurses contribute to the

education of students School

Ongoing learning for the student

Successful completion of nursing school

PARTNERSHIP Delta WIA ONW Local Youth MHA-ONE MS Council of Deans

and Directors of Schoolsof Nursing

Delta area hospitals

PARTNERSHIP WITH SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM - ARRA

Using ARRA SY funds, a contract was established with MHA - ONW to implement the Extern Program.

With the economy still on a slippery slope, many hospitals would not have been able to participate this year if not for the SY program.

Delta WIA assisted ONW with orientation, certification of eligibility and completion of the necessary enrollment data.

ONW developed agreements with area hospitals and provided monitoring and oversight.

OUTCOMES 19 Delta youth received benefits from Youth

Stimulus Funds through the following hospitals: Delta Regional Medical Center North Sunflower Medical Center Greenwood Leflore Hospital Bolivar Medical Center Greenwood Specialty Hospital Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical

Center All enrolled in community college or

university pursuing nursing careers Mississippi Delta Community College Delta State University Coahoma Community College Holmes Community College Alcorn State University

More Information

Office of Nursing WorkforceLanelle Weems601-954-0758 lweems@monw.org

Delta Workforce Investment AreaMitzi Woods662-335-6889mwoods@sdpdd.com