Aug. 20, 2008 – Twelve UVI nursing students have graduated from the 3rd Benjamin Foundation Student Nurse Extern Program at Schneider Regional Medical Center. During this year's program, which began on May 16, the externs acquired 320 hours of actual clinical experience while being mentored by registered nurses. The goal of the program is to allow student nurses to become comfortable and confident in a hospital environment.
"The students who have completed the program have acknowledged the positive impact on their academic work, their self confidence, as well as their ability to interact with patients and healthcare professionals," said Program Director Cynthia Rice.
During the program, they work in all areas of clinical care, including labor and delivery, the nursery and neonatal unit, pediatrics, emergency services, the operating room, interventional radiology, the cardiac cath unit and others. The registered nurses who serve as their mentors describe the student nurses as willing to jump in and assist with procedures, observe new procedures and ask questions that indicate critical thought processes.
The foundation grant provides a stipend of $7 per hour for students in their junior year, and $8 per hour for seniors. They are selected based on their maintaining good grades, obtaining letters of recommendation and writing a 500-word essay on why they want to be a Benjamin Foundation Nurse Extern. The UVI faculty recommends the students, while SRMC provides the comprehensive clinical environment and mentors. Given the nationwide nursing shortage, the medical center believes the extern program provides an ideal recruiting opportunity in addition to advancing nursing education.
Graduating and receiving certificates on Aug. 18, were Megan Anderson, Jamilia Connor, Camesha George, Indira Herbert, Antoinette Peters, Catherena Ramsey, Benita Randolph, Shalini Riley, Luciana Roberts, Sherrie Theberge, Schnell Weeks and Joline Wyatt. The ceremony was held in the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Auditorium at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute.
For information, contact Sam Topp at776-8311, ext. 2315.
