Independence Blue Cross and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation have supported nursing education for 12 years. Since then, a total of 215 undergraduate nursing students have interned in community health centers or within Independence. They’ve contributed more than 80,000 hours of work since the program began in 2004, including 7,500 hours contributed this year alone.
For the first time, our Nursing Internship Program required our nurse interns to conduct an informal research project throughout the summer. Each nurse intern was asked to identify an issue at their specific internship site, for example, patients making unnecessary visits to the ER or issues resulting from language barriers between patients and providers. This exciting project was an opportunity to enhance critical thinking skills using the scientific method and to introduce undergraduate nursing students to the world of nursing research. With the help of the Foundation’s Ph.D. nurse scholars (who helped them refine a topic and create a poster), the nurse interns presented their research project posters at our closing recognition event in August.
Spotlight on Three of Our Nursing Internship Program Participants
Meet three of our nurse interns and learn more about their research posters.
Name: Giovanna (Gia) Severoni
College/Year: Drexel University, junior
Area of interest: Pediatric nursing
Gia’s poster was titled Barriers to Accessing Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Methods in Low-Income Populations.
Gia experienced a pilot program at The Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services of Drexel University that examined the barriers patients face in accessing care.
“A particular moment that stands out to me was the unexpected feedback from a patient of mine. She went out of her way to thank the staff for a thorough appointment, stating that no one ever took the time to sit down with her and empower her with knowledge, easing the vulnerability she once felt. I couldn’t help but smile, realizing that these qualities were evident in all of the staff at 11th Street. Empowering and supporting patients is the true reason I chose nursing.”
Name: Stacie Rinda
College/Year: University of Pennsylvania, junior
Area of interest: Public health nursing
Stacie’s poster was titled Motivational Interviewing (MI) Matters for Member Health.
Stacie saw the benefits of motivational interviewing techniques and investigated the nursing theory behind these practices in her internship with care management at Independence.
“One of my favorite experiences during my internship was getting to go off-site to a Public Health Management care clinic to shadow a nurse for part of the day. The health professionals there talked to me about the populations they serve and how they strive to deliver quality care. As many professors have told me, nursing does not exist in a vacuum. We have the privilege of working with a wide variety of other health care providers as well as with many patients’ families. This will help me stay open-minded in my profession, listening to others’ perspectives and considering how those ideas can be incorporated into my patient care.”
Name: Maeve Callahan
College/Year: Temple University, junior
Area of interest: Cardiac ICU nursing/anesthesia
Maeve’s poster was titled Low Percentages of Annual Depression Screenings at Public Health Management Care Clinic.
Maeve recognized an area for improvement in depression screenings at her nursing internship program site, and took the opportunity to research and identify possible solutions.
“What I liked about the Independence Blue Cross Foundation nursing internship program was being able to see the primary care side of nursing since we usually are placed in acute care settings for clinical rotations. I also enjoyed meeting student nurses from other schools and learning public speaking and networking skills.”
About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation Nursing Internship Program
The primary goal of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation Nurses for Tomorrow grant program is to bolster the nursing workforce by investing in nursing education. One of the ways we achieve our goal is through our Nursing Internship Program, a hallmark program of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
In collaboration with Independence Blue Cross, our 21 nursing school partners, and our health center partners, undergraduate nursing students experience a unique and immersive internship. The internship is a 10-week program where nursing students gain non-traditional experience and take part in professional development curricula at either Independence Blue Cross or at an Independence Blue Cross Foundation-supported community health center. In addition to working at their internship sites, the nurse interns participated in three full days of Leadership Labs that focused on networking, cultural competency, education and passion, and mentorship.
In 2016, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation received more than 1,000 applications for 22 intern positions — a testament to the quality and competitiveness of the program.
Thank you!
Thank you to all of our wonderful partners and interns for another successful summer. Be sure to stay connected with our Nursing Internship Program in 2017. Interested students can apply beginning in January!
