Effect of Internship Program on Nurse Interns’ Stress and Structural Empowerment at University Hospital

Abstract

Background: Internship program supports nurse's intern to pursue careers in nursing. Through this program, nurses intern are introduced to the field of nursing. Although nurse internship programs are designed to support graduate nurses as they assume the professional role, the evaluation of these programs has been inconsistent. This study aim was to assess the effect of internship program on nurse intern's stress and empowerment at Qena University Hospitals. Research Design: A Quasi experimental designing study Sample: was carried out on all nurse interns (78). Setting: The present study was conducted at Qena University Hospitals during their internship year starting September 2015to 31 August 2016. Tools: Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including a stress and an empowerment scales. This was done at the start and end of their internship year. Limitations: The study was started with 78 nurse interns, but 22 left to other places and could not be followed. Results: Almost all interns (94.9%) had stress at the start of the program, and this declined to 67.9% at its end (p<0.001). No statistically significant changes could be revealed in their empowerment or perception of power. Statistically significant correlations were revealed between interns’ scores of empowerment, perception of power, and stress. In multivariate analysis, the internship program was a statistically significant negative independent predictor of interns’ total score of stress, while age and empowerment score were positive predictors. As for empowerment score, the internship program was a negative predictor, whereas their scores of structural and immediate manager power were positive predictors. Interns’ total score of power perception was positively predicted by internship program, as well as by their total empowerment score. In conclusion, nurse interns’ high stress at the start of their internship program is significantly lowered by its end, along with increased perception of power among them but not empowerment. It is recommended to address this weakness in such programs so that nurse interns gain more access to opportunities, information, and support.