PROGRAM
Huntington Hospital’s Nursing Associate Program
was created in response to nursing students’ requests
for increased clinical exposure as well as the hospital’s
need for dedicated, committed individuals in a nursing
support role.
In addition to Huntington Hospital’s orientation
requirements, applicants must have the experience of
at least one semester of a clinical nursing rotation.
This gives them the didactic and hands on experience
needed to perform at a basic nursing assistant level.
But because of their increased knowledge base from
that of a nursing assistant, nursing associates are given
some additional responsibilities such as performing
EKGs, and glucose monitoring.
As part of the application process, nursing students
must submit two letters of recommendation, at least
one from a clinical instructor in their nursing program,
and submit a copy of their nursing school transcript.
They must also take the hospital’s standard nursing
assistant pre-employment exam.
The unique title Nursing Associate indicates to the
staff that they are currently in nursing school which
promotes on going mentoring for the students each time
they report to work. Added bonus, nursing
associates are offered an externship during their last
recess before graduating from nursing school. They
are removed from the nursing associate role and paired
to work side by side with a tenured RN. This challenge
enables them to gain a bird's eye of the
true RN role.
Students are required to commit to at least one shift
per week throughout their tenure in the Nursing Associate
role. Many choose to work more when school is in recess.
Available positions are primarily on the 3PM-11PM and
the 11PM-7AM shifts because this is where there is
greatest need on the nursing units. Experienced nurses
in Staff Development work very closely with the students
throughout their experience at Huntington Hospital.
These mentors make it very clear to the nursing associates
that nursing school should remain their top priority.
The benefits for the student are many. In addition
to the increased clinical exposure and professional
patient care experience, they begin the socialization
process with our healthcare team. Many nursing assistants choose to apply for Registered Nurse positions that become available and are given consideration provided they meet the prerequisite qualifications. Also, the staff is able to get
a true view of their work ethic, commitment and maturity
level and the students have the opportunity to witness
nursing at Huntington Hospital first hand.
The program continues to be a work in progress with
changes occurring on an on-going basis. Currently,
it is being offered twice per year in January and May. At this time we are only considering students in a Bachelor’s of Science Nursing Program.
If you meet the above criteria, can fulfill the commitment
to the position and are interested in learning more
about Huntington Hospital’s nursing associate Program,
please contact Debbie Feehan RN, at dfeehan@hunthosp.org.
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