This presentation discusses collaborative advising methods used to promote student success for a nontraditional nursing student population in a distance learning program. It explores challenges advising students who are mostly New York residents over age 40, with a 1:200 full-time advisor to student ratio. Advisors meet quarterly to share best practices for overcoming common barriers. The nursing program headcount has grown and is projected to continue growing, requiring collaborative work between advisors, faculty, and student services to resolve issues.

1. Harmonizing: Collaborative
Advising to Promote
Student Success
2012 Fall Academic Conference
Deb Hodge, Academic Advisor
Erin White, Coordinator of Student Services

2. This presentation will explore the
challenges and best practices of
advising a nontraditional nursing
student population at a distance
using collaborative methods.

3. RN to BSN Program Population
• 650 current students as of September 2012
– NYS residents
– Median age is 42
– 11% Male
– Full-time Academic Advisor to Student Ratio 1:200
– Adjunct Academic Advisor to Student Ratio 1:50
– Course sections capped at 25 students

4. Nursing Actual and Projected Headcount
1400
1200
50
BSN Graduates
35
1000
BSN Continuing Students 25
20
800 BSN New Students
15 950
600 850
600 740
19
400 460
8 295
200 167
3 4
87 155 197 250 200 200 200
35 139 185
40 62 79 20
0
Sep-08 Sep-09 Sep-10 Jan-11 Sep-11 12-Jan Sep-12 13-Jan Projected Sep-13
Projected Jan-14
Projected Sep-14

5. Collaborating to Find Best Practices
♫ Adjunct advisors meet with full-time advisor and dean quarterly
♫ Advisors share successful ways to assist students to overcome common
barriers
♫ Advisors, faculty, and student service professional work together to resolve
student issues as they arise
♫ Empire State College utilizes internal Academic Coaches to promote
college resources and student success
♫ Use of internal systems to identify trends, common student issues, and
understand student experiences
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6. Empire State College Student Services
• Help Desk
• Library Services
• Academic Support Services (includes coaching)
• Student Information Center
6

7. Nursing Program Student Services
• Regular Contact with Mentor/Advisor
• Email and Phone Follow Up
• Nursing Program Student Center
• Online Orientation
• Offer Non-Matriculated Study
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8. QUESTIONS?
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