Effects of summer employment on student nurses: implications for recruitment and retention of staff nurses

Nursing students often seek summer employment in hospital settings to practice and refine previously learned skills. Nursing administrators possibly view this employment as a means of relieving short-term staffing problems. However, if summer employment is seen as a potential strategy for recruiting future graduate nurses, then one needs to address the following: how to provide support for the student nurse to deal with the same concerns and issues as the new graduate (role confusion and reality shock); how to ensure that appropriate feedback is provided to enhance clinical skills. A pilot study of the effects of summer employment in a Quebec hospital on six second year CEGEP (diploma) nursing students explored these issues. The findings suggest actions which might suitably be taken by an agency in order to reinforce and facilitate the maintenance and promotion of excellence in patient care, as well as commitment to the profession and integration into the nursing culture.