AWHONN Student Leader Internship Project

Purpose for the program: The PA Section Student Leader Internship project was born out of a recognized need to recruit active participation from young nurses.  We felt that AWHONN was so very valuable to all its members, but even more so to young nurses just starting out in the field of  maternal-neonatal nursing.  The belief is that if only the young nurses could see  first hand all of the benefits of active participation, we would hook them.

Proposed change: We hope to increase the number of younger members in the PA Section and have them be involved, committed members.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:  The idea for the project was fleshed out at our semi-annual advisory board meeting in May, 2009.  We decided that each of our 6 chapters would solicit and take in 2 student interns each.  To recruit student interns, a letter was sent by chapter coordinators to nursing faculty in their chapter areas.  The letter described the project and asked the nursing faculty to recommend students.  In our first year, we received 9 applications.  Eight of the applications were in the Southwest Chapter, one in the Southeast Chapter. We decided to take in all of the students. In August, we applied for an AWHONN Section Initiative grant and received $2500 to help with the expenses of the project.

The project was meant to be a win-win situation for the Section and the students.  The students made professional contacts in their chosen field of nursing, learned leadership skills and specialty nursing information. They attended the section conference in  November, 2009 at no cost to them.  In return, students assisted with planning and carrying out chapter events. Their final project was to develop and present an idea that could be carried out to promote the mission of AWHONN. These presentations were made at our semi-annual advisory board meeting in May, 2010. The 2 students with best ideas and best presentations won an all expense trip to the National Convention in Nashville.

Implications for nursing practice: Staff nurse membership in professional organizations is desired by nursing managment and promotes a more informed employee who stays on the cutting edge of evidence based practice.  By promoting active membership through the internship project, we are helping to put more and better nurses into practice. Getting younger nurses involved also helps assure the continuation of AWHONN's mission.

Keywords: Recruitment projects, internship opportunities, section initiatives, student nurses