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.