The nurse extern practicum: a new partnership between education and service

An externship was developed for academic credit but also offered financial remuneration for students. It is believed that a partnership between an educational institution and a health-care institution might offer students the opportunity not only for reality-based clinical practice, but also to enhance their education. Benefits to the agency include recruitment of students for future employment; benefits to the university include additional credit generation without additional revenues, because instructional costs are borne by the contracting health-care agency. Evaluations of this joint endeavor have been enthusiastic, with positive outcomes for all.