Nursing students and their families listen as faculty share information about the first year in nursing school.
Printer Friendly Format

The School of Nursing launched an innovative orientation program this fall for its students that allows family and friends to get a peek at what nursing school is all about.

The Heart to Heart program brings the incoming student together with their family and School of Nursing faculty to help family and friends understand the commitment that is involved in attending nursing school.

“Literature has documented that when family is involved in the educational process, students are successful,” said Bess Stewart, Ph.D., R.N., interim associate dean for students in the School of Nursing.

On Aug. 22 the first Heart to Heart program brought together one hundred incoming nursing students and their families. Robin Froman, Ph.D., dean of the School of Nursing, welcomed the students and their families. Faculty shared information about the first year in nursing school by giving an overview of the program, reviewing the first courses and outlining how family and faculty can support new students.

A panel of nursing students and nursing student leaders representing student nursing organizations, representing a diverse student body, discussed coping strategies, time management, study skills and how to allow for family time.

A panel of nursing students, representing a diverse student body, discussed coping strategies, time management, study skills and how to allow for family time. Family members were given the opportunity to ask questions of the current students. Family members were then given a tour of the nursing skills lab and a brief demonstration of the skills practiced by students. Nursing student leaders representing student nursing organizations also served as panel members and as hosts to the new students and their families.

The Heart to Heart program was developed by Dr. Stewart, and Cheryl Staats, M.S.N., R.N., associate professor of nursing in the department of acute nursing. The Heart to Heart program started as a tutoring program and began to grow as they decided to include the school and family in the learning process.

“Comments from students and their families indicated that the Heart to Heart program was a success and that we have started a new tradition,” Dr. Stewart said.