The ultimate educational integration of theory and practice comes during an internship. The internship can be of great benefit to a student wanting to focus on a certain aspect of his or her discipline.

Internships provide phenomenal avenues for critical thinking, problem solving, engaged learning and real life work situations. Well-constructed internships help students develop skills and an understanding of the work place that eases transition into the world of work after graduation.

Effective nurses have well-developed collaborative ability to be successful patient advocates. They must learn to work well with the patient, other nurses, physicians, families and other members of the health care team to provide patient centered care. There are many challenges to this collaboration. Students learn collaborative as well as therapeutic communication skills through preceptor modeling and by practice during internships.

Students who experience internships are better able to integrate classroom theory in everyday practical experiences and are more likely to extrapolate a theoretical plan into real life action.

Nursing Intern Roles & Responsibilities

• Discuss internship ideas with faculty advisor and identify appropriate faculty sponsor. (Remember: clinical courses in identified area of clinical interest must be completed prior to internship.)
• Identify a preceptor who has strong clinical skills in identified area of clinical interest.
  
  
  • See Internships at Millikin for more information about preceptors.
    
    
• Follow Millikin University and School of Nursing guidelines for internship approval, development and registration.
  
  
  • Download NU 470 guidelines
• Download the required Millikin form from the Registrar's website.
  
  
• Develop written goals and objectives with clear outcomes.
• Participate in any necessary clinical agency orientation and policy requirements.
• Do not practice without preceptor supervision; seek appropriate help in unfamiliar situations.
• Maintain professional behavior and standards of practice as delineated in the School of Nursing handbook, available in the Leighty Tabor Science Center.
• Establish periodic conference times with faculty sponsor to discuss progress.
• Establish periodic conference time with preceptor to discuss progress.
• Submit all clinical papers and assignments — completed according to learning outcomes and course proposal — on time.
• Adhere to clinical schedule established with preceptor.  If unable to attend because of illness or other emergency situation, be sure to contact the preceptor and faculty sponsor prior to the scheduled experience (or as soon as possible in an emergency situation).

Student behaviors that will enhance an internship:
Attitude and Skills

• Display professional behavior
• Wear appropriate clinical attire
• Show accountability
• Be open to new experiences
• Show interest and openness
• Show enthusiasm and interest in the experience
• Share information that will help the preceptor understand
  your strengths, needs and goals
• Listen; communicate 
• Ask questions

Barriers to learning:

• Lack of self-confidence or esteem
• Poor study skills or learning difficulty
• Poor motivation
• Inadequate knowledge
• Anxiety or fear
• Insecurity
• External worries or conditions (health, finances, domestic)

This website was prepared with financial assistance from a grant by the US Department of Education. However, its contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.