This document provides information about a nursing student support program. A graduate student will help current nursing students succeed in their first semester by providing feedback on reflection journals, study resources, and answering questions. Submitting reflection journals is optional but encouraged, as it allows the graduate student to tailor resources to students' specific needs and questions. Students found this support improved their grades last semester. The program includes an introduction forum, needs survey, weekly reflection topics, and email support from the graduate student.

1. Writing to Succeed
(aka – pass your classes)

2. Why should we do this?
First semester students
often struggle with the
study skills and life
changes necessary to be
successful as a nursing
student

3. 1. STUDY,
2. READ,
3. CLINICAL
4. CLASS,
5. REPEAT

4. That’s where I come in!
I am a graduate nursing
student, and my job is to
help you make it through
your first semester of
nursing. I also completed
the program 6 years ago
so understand what it
takes to make it through

5. What are reflection
journals?
They are thoughts and
feelings related to the
nursing program and
studying.
You respond to the topic
and write about anything
else related to the week
In fancy terms, your write
about critical thinking or
thinking about how you
make decisions

6. So what are you going to do
I will… to help?
respond to all questions or refer them
on to another faculty member
provide feedback to all journal entries
provide study resources to help
improve your reading, test taking,
time management and other
essentials for success in the nursing
program
answer all emails

7. OK, what else?
I will…
send out surveys to find out what you
need from me. This is for you not
me. I made it through the
insanity…
cheer you on! Trust me, you really
don’t want to see that, but I am
here to provide encouragement.

8. Being a Nurse:

9. But if I end up writing a reflection
journal, isn’t that just more work?
Yes and No.
Yes, it does take time, but the more
thought you put into it, the more
you get out of it. Some students
wrote 3 sentences while others
wrote 3 long paragraphs. It’s
completely your choice and
optional.

10. Then why would I want to do
more work? You’re crazy!
Possibly, or even likely. While it does
take time to write the journal, the
feedback and resources you receive
will help you learn how to study
more efficiently, which actually
saves you time in the long run. In
fact…

11. What did others think?
Almost every student who
did the reflective journal
and looked at the
resources last semester
believe their grade was
higher because of it.
Some were upset they
didn’t start at the
beginning of the
semester

12. How can this possibly save time?
By reading your responses to journals,
I can provide study resources the
following week.
For example, if everyone is confused
over a topic in pharmacology or
something in clinical, I will simplify
it so you don’t struggle over it later
Feel free to ask questions frequently!
It helps me determine what I can
do to help you. Otherwise I have to
guess…

13. Do I have to do this?
No, it’s not part of your grade
but it’s like having an
instructor and tutor all in
your back pocket.
It’s to your benefit. Surveys
from last semester said
they liked it so they could
vent and receive support
and study aids

14. OK, I’ll consider it. So
how does this whole
reflection journal work?

15. This is an interactive service
1. I will ask everyone to introduce
themselves the first week on the
bulletin board
2. I will ask everyone to complete a
survey about your study skills,
strengths, weaknesses, needs, etc.
3. Don’t worry, I’ll start us off with my
introduction. By sharing information
with your classmates you’ll make
connections to carpool, study, etc.

16. What does a typical week look like?
What do you do? What do I do?
I will send an You will write a
announcement reflection journal
over blackboard, responding to
state the topic the topic
and the resources (important) and
I’ve provided anything else
(based on what that you want to
you’re doing that write about or is
week in class) concerning

17. Why is it important to
respond to the topic?
This service is specialized
just for your clinical
groups. Whatever you
write or ask about, I will
find resources so you
don’t have to do it
yourself. Without a
response, you will not get
the help you need. (I will
have to guess and I will
probably be wrong)

18. But what if I’m embarrassed that I
don’t understand something?
Believe it or not, most students feel
they are alone in this process when
in fact many students write about
the same troubles.
NO STUDENTS WILL SEE YOUR
RESPONSES!
The saying still applies, “no question
is a stupid question!”

19. Where do I find this information?
It will look like a separate Blackboard
class on your Blackboard home
page.
Directions will be posted there. I try
to be clear and concise so you don’t
have to waste your time thinking.
You’ll want to save the brain space
for later in the semester…

20. What advise did last semester
students give?
“Save enough money before going into the
program so you can pay for a housekeeper,
find a good foster home for your children,
and forget about having any relations with
your significant other. Instead, you can
prepare to spend long nights with your
care plan books, spend quality time with
your computer screen, and the majority of
your cleaning is going to be done in a
clinical setting.”

21. What if I have more
questions?
I respond to emails at:
jostadj@westerntc.edu