E-Mentoring First Semester Nursing Students
Faculty Advisor Name
Dr. Betsy Herron
Department
School of Nursing
Description
Background: Prelicensure nursing education programs are rigorous and require a great deal of students’ time and energy. Challenging nursing coursework often demands more effort and higher levels of learning than students have been accustomed to throughout general education and nursing prerequisite courses. This can make for a difficult transition into nursing courses once students are admitted into a nursing program. If students do not make the necessary adjustments, they may experience impacts on their academic standing, social relationships, and their mental and physical health. The literature regarding students who are transitioning into a nursing program highlights some of the major areas where students struggle during the transition, which include developing sufficient learning and study strategies, time management and prioritization, and accessing resources and sources of support.
Problem: A microsystem assessment conducted at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) Division of Healthcare Professions. This assessment revealed that members of the faculty and administration recognize difficulties incoming nursing students have with areas of transition into the associate degree in nursing (ADN) program. These include study skills, time management, test-taking, and professionalism.
Intervention: Mentoring is a support tool that has been shown to be effective for promoting student success and positive transition. Online mentoring, or e-mentoring, is a flexible and effective method for carrying out mentoring programs. This project implements an e-mentoring course for first semester nursing students via the Canvas learning management system. The Canvas course consists of four modules, which are designed to provide students with information to assist in their transition to nursing coursework. The modules cover the topics of learning and study skills, time management and organization, test-taking strategies, and professionalism. Each module includes articles, videos, documents, and PowerPoint presentations with relevant, evidence-based information to help inform students. The modules also include discussion boards where students can share ideas and interact with each other and the e-mentor. Also included are links to campus resources that students can utilize for various academic and other student services.
Methods: A pre and post test model is used to assess the students’ satisfaction with mentoring, adjustment to nursing coursework, study habits, help-seeking and development of support systems, and anxiety regarding testing and coursework.
Results: Results are still to be determined as this project is currently being implemented. It is estimated that students will report improvement in at least one area on the post test.
E-Mentoring First Semester Nursing Students
Background: Prelicensure nursing education programs are rigorous and require a great deal of students’ time and energy. Challenging nursing coursework often demands more effort and higher levels of learning than students have been accustomed to throughout general education and nursing prerequisite courses. This can make for a difficult transition into nursing courses once students are admitted into a nursing program. If students do not make the necessary adjustments, they may experience impacts on their academic standing, social relationships, and their mental and physical health. The literature regarding students who are transitioning into a nursing program highlights some of the major areas where students struggle during the transition, which include developing sufficient learning and study strategies, time management and prioritization, and accessing resources and sources of support.
Problem: A microsystem assessment conducted at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) Division of Healthcare Professions. This assessment revealed that members of the faculty and administration recognize difficulties incoming nursing students have with areas of transition into the associate degree in nursing (ADN) program. These include study skills, time management, test-taking, and professionalism.
Intervention: Mentoring is a support tool that has been shown to be effective for promoting student success and positive transition. Online mentoring, or e-mentoring, is a flexible and effective method for carrying out mentoring programs. This project implements an e-mentoring course for first semester nursing students via the Canvas learning management system. The Canvas course consists of four modules, which are designed to provide students with information to assist in their transition to nursing coursework. The modules cover the topics of learning and study skills, time management and organization, test-taking strategies, and professionalism. Each module includes articles, videos, documents, and PowerPoint presentations with relevant, evidence-based information to help inform students. The modules also include discussion boards where students can share ideas and interact with each other and the e-mentor. Also included are links to campus resources that students can utilize for various academic and other student services.
Methods: A pre and post test model is used to assess the students’ satisfaction with mentoring, adjustment to nursing coursework, study habits, help-seeking and development of support systems, and anxiety regarding testing and coursework.
Results: Results are still to be determined as this project is currently being implemented. It is estimated that students will report improvement in at least one area on the post test.
