Aim
To evaluate the emerging nurse internship programme developed by the Waikato Regional Diabetes Centre, Hamilton.
Objectives
To provide information on the emerging processes and the preliminary outcomes of the programme to the stakeholders of the Waikato Regional Diabetes Centre for planning and development.
Methods
The evaluation used a constructivist evaluation framework. Key stakeholders were interviewed individually or as a group at the beginning of the programme and at the end of the first rotation. The interns also completed self-assessment questionnaires at the beginning and at the end of their first rotation. Clients of the service completed a satisfaction questionnaire after receiving care from one of the interns.
Results and conclusions
The internship is a complex programme in that it has a number of parts, however the complexity makes the programme comprehensive. Two of the key factors that contributed to the programme’s early success, and which were valued by the interns, were the cohesive team environment and the inclusion in the programme of external professional supervision. At the end of the first rotation three of the interns had gained confidence in their knowledge and skills related to diabetes care while the fourth intern had lost confidence in her skills and knowledge. The programme added to the workload of the Clinical Nurse Specialists who provided clinical supervision but who were committed to providing supervision. One intern was positioned in a general practice so did not rotate around the other placements. The practice felt they had experienced gains from her being in the programme because she was able to take on patients with greater complexity in her clinics. Additionally, the other practice nurses increased their knowledge about diabetes as a result of the intern’s engagement in the programme and the relationship with the Waikato Regional Diabetes Centre.