Mount Sinai Nursing recently graduated a record number of student nurse summer interns, which included 101 students from nearly 40 nursing schools throughout the country who were accepted into and completed the prestigious program that follows the Magnet model of nursing excellence. Among the schools represented were Georgetown University, Howard University, Rutgers University, Saint Joseph’s University, University of Miami, and Villanova University.
The internship offers high-ranking, rising senior student nurses an invaluable opportunity to apply previously learned theory and skills by delivering supervised care and working within a hospital setting. The hope is to welcome many of the interns back to Mount Sinai following graduation. The interns participated in a graduation ceremony held Thursday, August 8, in Stern Auditorium.
“Today’s ceremony marks a significant milestone in your journey toward becoming full-fledged nurses, a journey filled with dedication, growth, and unwavering commitment to the noble profession of nursing,” said Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive and Senior Vice President of Cardiac Services, Mount Sinai Health System. “Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone’s life, whether through a kind word or a gentle touch.”
In June, students were matched one-on-one with a Registered Nurse Mentor with whom they had an opportunity to interact and learn throughout their 10-week program. Their assignments took them to The Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai Brooklyn, Mount Sinai West, and Mount Sinai Queens.
“One of the most memorable things about this program was the direct patient care I provided,” said Alan Zhu, a nursing student at University of Pennsylvania, who interned at Mount Sinai Brooklyn. “Getting to know their needs and getting to know some of the family members was really heartwarming.”
From left: Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Mount Sinai Health System; Kenya Williams, EdD, RN, RP, CAE, FNYAM, Executive Director National Student Nurses Association; Maria Vezina, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Vice President and Chief of Nursing Practice, Education, Advanced Practice Nursing Credentialing, and Nursing Labor Relations Partnerships, Mount Sinai Health System; Lorisa Richards, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Nursing Operations, Acting Chief Nursing Officer, The Mount Sinai Hospital; Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN, Vice President Patient Services and Deputy Chief Nurse Officer, Mount Sinai Queens; and Jonathan Nover, MBA, RN, Vice President of Nursing, Emergency Services, Mount Sinai Health System
Sophia Pak, a nursing student at Saint Louis University who interned at Mount Sinai Morningside, also gained a lot from the experience. “This summer has definitely made me more confident in myself as a nurse,” she said. “It made me understand how my actions can affect a person’s life. Because of this program, we are each a step closer to becoming the best nurse we could possibly be.”
Nurse Mentor Maria Agranovskiy, BSN, RN, The Mount Sinai Hospital, Labor and Delivery, could not have agreed more.
“You are the future of health care, and the world is a better place because of the care and kindness you bring to your patients every day,” she said. “As you leave behind the title of student nurse intern and step into the role of a registered nurse, know that you carry with you the knowledge, skills, and values instilled within you from your time at Mount Sinai. You have the power to heal, comfort and inspire. I speak for all of the nurses who worked with you when I say we are very grateful for you all.”