Norman (Okla.) Regional Health System is working with local colleges to bridge the gap between the classroom and the clinical setting, according to an Aug. 16 report from News 9.
The "Nurse Partner Program" gives nursing students in the state hands-on experience in a hospital during their last semester. Students also earn compensation for clinical hours needed to graduate.
The program started in March 2021 and is overseen by Kelia Crabbe, MSN, RN, a transition to practice specialist at Norman Regional. Ms. Crabbe said the main goal of the program is to bridge the gap between students and employees.
"Not only were we short staffed, but the complexity of the patients was also so significant. We had students who were not able to be a part of the clinical opportunity, so this gave us a bridge between that gap," Ms. Crabbe said.
The program creates a partnership between Norman Regional Health System and nursing schools at seven academic facilities in the state. Nursing students can participate in clinicals while employed at the hospital.