Relationship between Nurse Interns Satisfaction Regarding Internship Program and Clinical Competence

Successful internship programs should be those in which teaching and learning are provided to help the new graduate nurse make the transition from novice to advanced beginner who can demonstrate acceptable performance and cope in real situations. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between nurse interns clinical competence and their satisfaction regarding internship program at King Fand Hospital of the University (KFHU) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fifty eight respondents participated in the study. The data of the study was collected using two separate instruments developed by the researchers, first one assessed clinical competence contains two parts and the second assess satisfaction levels among nurse interns. After obtaining the subjects consents, the researchers distributed the questionnaires on studied tool I on hospital preceptors to assess the interns clinical competence, they filled the questionnaire while were working in their work settings. And assessed interns satisfaction regarding internship program by using tool II, once before the end of internship training year. Filling the questionnaire consumed about 10-15 minutes for each tool, the data collected during internship training year. This study cancelled the relationship between nurse interns clinical competence and their satisfaction regarding internship program. Highest mean score for interpersonal and communication skills dimension, followed by managerial dimension, while knowledge and psychomotor skills dimensions have the lowest mean scores. The study recommended that; Further research focused on nurse internship satisfaction for hospital and College preceptors. Moreover, further research to study the relationship between internship program and new graduates retention.