Perceptions of leadership competence between interns and mentors in a cooperative nurse internship.

The ongoing nature of leadership development and a marketplace that requires strong clinical competence call for programs that enhance leadership and clinical skills for new nurses. The author describes an internship designed and implemented by baccalaureate and associate degree faculty and nurse administrators at a local community hospital. Ten new graduates, employed full time, were mentored by nurse managers and taught leadership and clinical skills by nursing faculty during the one-year program. Perceptions of leadership competence between interns and mentors improved in the six categories measured.