Advising the Pre-Nursing Student

Powerpoint presentation from NACADA Region 8 Conference in PDX, March 20th 2012. Presenters Jenni Van Wyk, Shasta McLester, and Megan Coble .

1. Advising the Pre-Nursing
Student
Tips and techniques to guide Academic Advisors
Jenni Van Wyk
Shasta McLester
Megan Coble

2. Overview
•Why Nursing?
•What makes Nursing complex?
−Program & Prerequisites
−Admissions
•How do we communicate the complexities to
our students?
•Take-aways
•Discussion & Questions

3. Who we are
•University of Oregon
−Research institution
−~20,000 undergraduate
students
−No mandatory advising
•Office of Academic Advising
−Undeclared
•Caseload
−Pre-Health
−Students experiencing
academic difficulty
−Prospective
•No nursing program
•Eugene
−Lane Community
College
−Peace Health #1
employer in Lane
County

4. Who are you?

5. We are not the experts

6. Why Nursing?
“The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009) estimates that
employment of registered nurses will grow by 22% from 2008
to 2018. Nursing is one of the most sought after health
professional interests among students today.”

“The United States is projected to have a nursing shortage
that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the
need for health care grows. Compounding the problem is the
fact that nursing colleges and universities across the country
are struggling to expand enrollment levels to meet the rising
demand for nursing care.” (AACN)
•Job security
•High placement
•Rise in demand = education access

7. •It’s complicated…
•Degree routes
•Requirements
•Admissions method

Becoming a Nurse (RN)

8. Degree Routes
RN

9. Course Comparison
Courses University of
Washington (BSN)
Lane Community
College (ASN)
Composition 2 courses 2 courses
Math 1 course 1 course
Statistics 1 course None
General Chemistry 1 year None
Organic Chemistry 1 course None
Anatomy & Physiology 3 courses 3 courses
Microbiology 1 course None
Psych (Lifespan) 1 course 1 course
Social Sciences 3-4 courses 2 courses
Humanities 3-4 courses None
Total 90 quarter credits 45 quarter credits

10. Application Comparison
Application
Requirements
University of Washington
(BSN)
Lane Community
College (ASN)
Application Yes Yes
Experience 100 hrs volunteer or paid
health care experience
None
Grades No grades < C No grades < C
Transcripts Yes Yes
Letters of Recc. 1 from supervisor and RN None
Proctored Essay Yes Yes
Background check Yes Yes
Personal Statement 2 Pages None
Resume Yes None

11. The Advising Challenge:
Developmental vs. Prescriptive
“…developmental counseling or advising
is concerned not only with a specific
personal or vocational decision but
also with facilitating the student’s
rational processes, environmental
and interpersonal interactions,
behavioral awareness, and problem-
solving decision-making, and
evaluation skills.”
(Crookston, 1972)
(Nacada, 2012)

12. Keeping in mind development
theories..
•Identity Development
•Intellectual & Ethical
Development
•Experiential Learning
•Moral Development

13. Advising
•Asking Questions
−Where is the student developmentally
−Career Advising
−What degree route is best for the student?
•Outcomes
−Developing relationships
−Critical thinking

Money
Experience

Grades
Nursing
State
Security

Family
Program
Communicating the complexity of nursing to students

14. Advisor responsibility & student responsibility
Challenge & Support

15. Website – Prospective Students
Communicating the complexity of nursing to students

16. Website – Prospective Students
Communicating the complexity of nursing to students

17. Communicating the complexity of nursing to students
•Handouts
-Degree Routes
-Course equivalencies
-1/2/3/4-year plan
-Nursing Pamphlet

18. Nursing Pamphlet
Communicating the complexity of nursing to students

19. Communicating the complexity of nursing to students
Nursing Pamphlet

20. Communicating the complexity of nursing to students
Nursing Pamphlet

21. Facebook & Twitter
• 276 total “likes”

• Share posts from:
•Other institutions
•Non profits
•Nursing programs

• Link our information with
UO student organizations

• Ability to stay connected
w/ students during:
1.Study Abroad
2. IE3 Internships
3.Summer/Holidays


Communicating the complexity of nursing to students

22. How can this be applied to your institution?
•Educate students early
•Research
−On own/with students
−Advising is Teaching
•Understand your institutions courses
•Give homework
−Building relationships
•Keep asking questions
•Delegate a Pre-Nursing Advisor or liaison
•Get connected

23. Discussion
We want to hear from you!
•What is your story?
•What resources are you using?
•Questions

24. Thank you!
Jenni Van Wyk
[email protected]
Shasta McLester
[email protected]
Megan Coble
[email protected]

Please see your handout for the online link to the PowerPoint slides as well
as resources, contact information, Facebook and Twitter information.

25. References
Creamer, D.G. (2000). Use of Theory in Academic Advising. In Gordon, V.N. & Habley, W.R. (Eds.) Academic
Advising: A Comprehensive Handbook . San Francisco : Jossey-Bass, Inc., 17-24.

Crookson, B.B. (1994). A Developmental View of Academic Advising as Teaching. NACADA Journal , 14(2), 5-9.