SWEP’d up for the Summer: Survey of participants’ experiences of a nursing student research internship

Abstract
Background: Queen’s University (Ontario, Canada) has been offering the Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) - a subsidized work opportunity for university undergraduate students - since 1995. The Queen’s University Nursing and Health Research Internship program, established in May 2017, involves nursing SWEP students. The program was designed to build research knowledge and experience for nursing students. The aim of this article is to describe the program components, and intern and faculty insights.Methods: To obtain feedback from current and past interns and faculty, an electronic survey was distributed. Data were analyzed for common themes.Results: Themes consolidated from interns (n = 4) included challenges as learning opportunities, new perspectives on research, and successes and opportunities. Themes that emerged from faculty (n = 7) were program challenges and successes, and needs and concerns of interns.Conclusions: Overall, interns and faculty members perceived the program as a valuable learning experience. Suggestions for program development and potential changes are discussed from both an intern and faculty perspective. Further recommendations for program development are explored, with potential changes for future offerings.