Nurse Educators Teaching Medical Interns: Impact of Interprofessional Collaboration

Abstract

Background This quantitative educational intervention was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a 1-day internal medicine orientation for new interns, led by nurse educators instead of medical doctors. Methods Scheduled within the orientation week curriculum, this project had a purposeful convenience sample of 14 students comprising the entire intern class. An afternoon of 1:1 clinical skills with nursing guidance followed a morning of didactic lecture on medical knowledge and skills transfer. Students completed a pre/postmedical education test (MET) to evaluate knowledge and skills acquired. Results Interns reported increased confidence with clinical competencies to both nurse educators and the chief resident. Outcome questionnaires revealed statistically significant increases in knowledge about clinical skills after the intervention. Interns witnessed interprofessional teamwork. Conclusion Nurse educators teaching medical interns facilitates interprofessional team collaboration, communication, and mutual respect. This simulation pedagogy focusing on principles of deliberate practice can have a positive impact on academic and clinical performance.