Fostering the Best Experience for Our Nursing Students

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, the pivotal role of staff nurses extends beyond clinical expertise, influencing the educational and professional journey of student nurses. This is particularly true at GBMC, where staff nurses not only help shape student nurses' careers but also cultivate an environment that attracts emerging talent. Through mentorship, clinical guidance, and a commitment to continuous learning, staff nurses at GBMC play a central role in nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals and ensuring the hospital's success in recruiting top-tier nursing talent.

“We encourage our frontline nursing staff to be aware of the important impact they have,” explains Stacey Rotman, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Director of Nursing Administration and HR Liaison. “Their hospitality and visible passion for nursing, coupled with their willingness to share experiences and foster student engagement illustrates our culture and exemplifies the GBMC difference.”

At any given time, nursing staff may encounter a mix of nursing students who are completing local nursing programs as well as those who have their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licenses and hold employed student nurse positions at GBMC.

Ashley Bandurchin, MSN, RN, CCRN, CSSGB, EBP-C, CENP, Assistant Director of Professional Practice, Education & Research, shares insights into our work with student nurses: “When we host students for group clinical placements, 5-6 students will be assigned to a single instructor across our inpatient units. Conversely, our practicum students are paired with one preceptor at GBMC during their senior year of nursing school. In this setting, they are working hip-to-hip with their preceptor and have the chance to practice a wide range of patient care activities under direct supervision. This is a great pipeline for recruiting new graduate nurses.”

She goes on to explain that one type of employed student nurse position is the role of nurse extern, a time-limited 10-week period of summer employment that gives the students a preview of clinical life. “It really is an additional practicum experience, with direct supervision under one nurse and more opportunities for hands-on experience,” Ashley says. Employed student nurse positions, on the other hand, are not time-limited and require a minimum of 24 hours per month. “Generally, these team members stay with us at least until they graduate from their nursing program,” explains Ashley. “They function more like a CNA or patient care tech, independently performing vital signs and assisting with activities of daily living. Our nurses take students under their wings to expose them to new experiences and procedures.”

Beyond mentorship, GBMC offers nursing students additional perks such as free parking, access to the Wellness and Fitness Center, cafeteria discounts, and more. These incentives, combined with a positive work culture and a robust career pathway, contribute to GBMC's appeal as an ideal destination for emerging nursing talent.