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Rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a crisis response among academic institutions to provide continuity of learning, in an alternate structure, as on-ground campuses across the country closed. This led to a myriad of virtual and online learning formats for collegiate programs. Ironically, it also altered plans among existing online programs scheduled for in-person, on-campus residency requirements. Complying with newly imposed institution regulations, a small private university in southwestern Pennsylvania was required to move their traditional on-ground Doctor of Nursing Practice residency to a virtual platform. Leveraging online tools and creating a new format was needed to effectively meet program requirements. Success of the residency was dependent upon a straightforward information technology program with adequate support and detailed student resources. Residency structure from the existing on-ground program was combined with online tools to successfully adapt the event into a virtual format. Feedback provided by students and faculty was reviewed to streamline and improve future transitions. The advent of COVID-19 created an opportunity for the nursing program to learn how to transition a key educational on-ground event to a successful virtual one. Although crisis response is common in the clinical setting, adapting to meet critical needs is also essential to the academic environment. Rapid response with forming a virtual residency has provided a foundation for continued growth and refinement of on-ground events being moved to an online platform during a time of crisis. Critical elements for transitioning to the virtual environment are summarized.

Membership retention in an honor society or organization is of utmost importance for sustainability. However, retaining members in organizations that serve online education nursing students can be a challenging task. Understanding the importance of creating a sense of community to promote retention within an honor society chapter, nursing faculty at a small private university implemented different online approaches. This article highlights successful information technology strategies to promote membership retention in organizations for online nursing students.

The growth of online education has created a learning environment that permits nontraditional students the opportunity for degree completion without the burden of relocation. Given the shortage of nurses at all educational levels, many institutions of higher learning have created online programs to meet the needs of both the student and the profession as a whole. Although convenient for the student and beneficial for the nursing profession, the online learning environment can present numerous challenges. Among these challenges are acts of student incivility-creating a difficult work environment for faculty and, at times, negatively affecting other students. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review problems associated with student incivility and share the experience in creating as well as implementing a professionalism policy that addresses student incivility. Recommendations for policy creation are summarized.

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