INTERNSHIP TRAINING AND JOB PROSPECTS OF GRADUATE NURSES IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study identified the specific professional skills acquired by the graduate nurses during their
internship period. Also, it identified factors militating against internship training in the nursing
profession. These were done with a view to providing empirical information for improving
professional nursing practice and job prospects. The study adopted the descriptive survey
research design. Qualitative approach was used. The population for the study comprised the 16
current intern nurses (2019/2020 set or session), 19 formal intern nurses (who have just
completed their internship training) and 1,005 preceptors from the available record in UCH
(These was approximately 1,005 preceptors in UCH as at April 3, 2019). The total population
was 1,040. The sample size was 41 respondents which comprised the sixteen (16) intern nurses
(93.5%). Using total enumeration sampling technique, 15 formal intern nurses (100%) was
selected using snowballing sampling technique, and 10 preceptors selected using convenient
sampling technique, being the preceptors on duty at the time of administration of research
instruments. The instruments used for data collection were direct observation termed
Observation Check-list on Nursing Internship Training (OCNIT) and open ended interview guide
titled Nursing Internship Training Interview (NITI) for intern nurses and Preceptors on Nursing
Internship Training Interview (PNITI). The data were analyzed using content analysis. The
results showed that the intern nurses received training in all the necessary specific skills for
nursing profession such as punctuality, drug medication, fluid fixing, managing complications
well, confidence in practice, updating self, setting priority in attending to patients, wound
dressing, patient-nurse relationship, laying beds and management of labour cases. The study
showed that the factors working against internship training included lack of awareness on
nursing internship, insufficient medical equipment, inadequate welfare, lack of trust; seeing
intern nurses as student nurses who just came for posting and not professionals. The study
concluded that intern nurses received adequate training in all the skills necessary for the nursing
profession in the University College Hospital, Ibadan.