Strengthening the foundation for the future of nursing through a Summer Study Hall program at an academic medical center.

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to describe the development and implementation of an innovative Summer Study Hall program developed by clinical nurse specialists (CNSs)/clinical nurse educators (CNEs) in an urban academic medical center.

Background: The program was implemented as a strategy to give nursing students the opportunity to enhance their clinical skills. The chosen skills are considered high risk for hospitals and have major impact on the American Nurses Association National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-acquired urinary tract infections. The secondary purpose of the program is to provide a venue to be able to work with potential employees and determine if they have the potential to be promising employees.

Methods: A group of 20 students voluntarily met with a CNS/CNE weekly for 4 weeks in a simulation laboratory to review and demonstrate skills such as Foley catheter insertion and suctioning.

Results/conclusion: The program was very well received by participants as well as by the CNS/CNE faculty. The program will continue annually, and some modifications have been made to include nonclinical topics such as professional development skills (eg, interviewing skills and résumé preparation).