Abstract
Background: Clinical decision making (CDM), expected of professional nurses, affects patient outcomes but is arduous for nursing students to learn. Psychological barriers (low self-confidence [SC] and high anxiety with CDM) have an impact on its achievement. Externship programs help mitigate these barriers.
Purpose: The aim was to examine the impact of summer employment (nurse extern [NE], nursing assistant, and non-health care employed) on students' confidence and anxiety with CDM.
Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental before-and-after design using the Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision Making scale. Associate and baccalaureate degree students (N = 134) from 2 nursing and 2 extern programs were included.
Results: The NEs reported significantly increased SC (F = 14.02, P < .001) and reduced anxiety (F = 8.64, P < .001). Nonsignificant improvements were noted in other groups.
Conclusions: Externships appear to enhance students' SC and lessen their anxiety with CDM.