Nursing Students Unlocking Success
Nursing Students Gain Keys to Unlocking Success
GP Tech Hosts Nursing Program Orientation
By M. Churchwell
I don’t care who you are; everyone will take something away from this camp.
- Tamara Keitt, Nursing Student
GP Tech Practical Nursing, in collaboration with Instructional Services and the Student Resource Center, hosted a three-day orientation workshop, designed to prepare our newest nursing students for the demanding yet rewarding journey ahead. The goal of this orientation, packed with interactive sessions and activities, was to equip these future nurses with essential skills, resilience, and a sense of community in hopes they will not just survive but even thrive in their nursing program.
Day One
The workshop kicked off with a warm welcome and an overview of what to expect in nursing school. Practical Nursing Coordinator Karen Shirey relayed essential information about paperwork, deadlines, and schedules. Students received campus usernames and passwords and were introduced to their digital learning management system where class assignments and resources are housed. After lunch, students worked together on a fun teambuilding activity and personality quizzes to get to know each other and themselves a little better. Lastly, students heard practical survival advice from recently graduated nursing students.
Day Two
On day two, students were introduced to the rigors of their upcoming studies. Instructional Services presented several strategies on notetaking and study techniques. Students were encouraged to utilize those strategies during the next two sessions when PN Instructor Dr. Pam Williams presented their very first Anatomy and Physiology lecture, introducing students to exactly what they will encounter when the program begins in August. At the end of the day, Instructional Services returned with advice on time management, organizational skills, and resilience. Throughout each session, students participated in hands-on group activities to strengthen their understanding of concepts and to foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual support.
Day Three
On day three, Academic Center Coordinator Mandee Thomas shared multiple studying and test-taking strategies. Again, students were encouraged to utilize these strategies in the following sessions. Practical Nursing Instructor Elisha Grant took students through a review of the previous day’s A&P lesson, after which Dr. Williams gave them their first test on the subject matter. While this was a zero-stakes assessment, the process was invaluable for students to gain an understanding of the rigors of nursing school and the value of effective note-taking, studying, and test-taking strategies. Each speaker brought unique insights that resonated with students, providing them with tools to succeed both academically and personally.
Dr. Williams ended the orientation by individually handing each student a small silver key. She told each student one by one, “This is the key to your future and your success. You hold the key.”
This is the key to your future and your success. You hold the key.
- DR. PAM WILLIAMS PN
INSTRUCTOR
Student Testimonials:
Tamara Keitt: This orientation was very helpful. I liked the lecture because it gave me an idea of how class is going to be. It relieved some of the anxiety that I had of the unknown. It makes me really emotional because, I’ll be honest, I was really complaining about having to come, but I didn’t realize how much I needed it. I’m a believer, and I always tell myself to trust the process. I’m the only caretaker for my daughter. She’s 21 and quadriplegic. I have so much to do to get ready, so I sort of saw it as an inconvenience. But now that we’re finished, I see that coming here for these three days was what I needed from beginning to end. I don’t care who you are, everyone will take something away from this camp. It was also so good to meet all of the presenters and know they are all here on campus and here to help us. This has been the best boot camp ever. Take it from me: keep this boot camp going.
Ariel Manor: Meeting everybody helped take away some of the nerves , and it gave me an idea of what’s going to happen when class starts. Going into this program we have so many questions about the coursework, the curriculum, and the structure. Having this 3-day orientation gave us an opportunity to meet our peers and the instructors and the other supports on campus. It helps us feel supported, and even though this is going to be overwhelming, we will be supported by each other, our instructors, and by the whole campus. The lecture helped me understand what I should brush up on from my CNA class and med term class. Now I have a whole month to review before I go into this. I am so glad I’m realizing it in advance instead of after class has already started. I know exactly what I need to brush up on.
Mikayla Goga: Orientation gives us that kickstart to the class and makes us feel more comfortable with what we’re getting ourselves into. It opened my eyes to “Okay, you can do this. You can’t doubt yourself. You can’t second guess yourself” I didn’t know what to expect, and now my eyes are open to what we’re going to be doing. We don’t have to worry about the anxieties and stresses of the unknown. During the lecture, there was a lot of information, but I understood it. Everything was explained well. I liked that it wasn’t just being read off the PowerPoint. There was a lot of detail to explain. We were able to ask questions, and that helped.
Znasia Simington: This orientation gave us insight into how long we have to sit in class, how long the lectures are, how many breaks we get. It gives us some insight into what’s going to happen in a month. We’re not going in blind. The veil is lifted. These three days are a good way to get connected so no one feels like the new kid walking in nervous. It helps just knowing that you have somebody you can turn to and look at and laugh with, including the teachers. I’ve never had a good studying strategy, even in high school, until I took this course. Now I write Cornell notes, and they are amazing! They work so well. The presenters had so many different tools to help all different kinds of students. It’s just a good atmosphere.
We are thrilled to welcome our new nursing students. While they hold the keys to their own success, we look forward to cheering for and supporting them as they embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
