Avoiding bad connection: Orientation phone calls foster student‐faculty connection in an RN‐BSN program

Abstract

Background Studies show that the primary reasons registered nurses (RNs) withdraw from registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN‐BSN) programs are related to the challenge of sustaining work and family obligations while in school and having unclear expectations. It has been shown that nontraditional students facing these types of challenges benefit from programs that give strong sense of faculty connection and orient students to coursework by providing clear information. Purpose The purpose of this project was to see if conducting one‐on‐one, script‐guided orientation phone calls with individual students provided valuable programmatic information and established a sense of connection to faculty. Methods Six RN‐to‐BSN faculty conducted a combined 108 orientation telephone calls to individual, newly enrolled online RN‐to‐BSN students. The purpose of the orientation was to introduce general program expectations required to successfully complete courses, and provide students with a sense of connectedness with faculty. Faculty developed and distributed a survey (3, 6‐point Likert scale response items and 2 open‐ended questions) to understand the degree to which RN‐to‐BSN students valued the orientation phone call. Results Ninety‐four percent (n = 101) of participating students agreed that the RN‐BSN program orientation phone call resulted in feeling a “sense of connectedness” with the online program faculty member. Additionally, 95% (n = 102) agreed that the orientation phone call provided them with the necessary information to support success in their first course within an RN‐BSN online program. Conclusion One‐on‐one orientation telephone calls provided valuable program overview information and the personal conversational format conveyed to remote students faculty availability and an enhanced sense of connectedness.

Engaging Students and Faculty in a Collaborative Learning Environment

“…As relationships develop between students and faculty and a supportive environment evolves, students are more likely to reach their academic goals. 26 Identifying additional platforms and technology to enhance engagement between students and faculty allows for the development of the distance learning community. 27 Collaborative learning supports the academic socialization process and facilitates the sense of social presence in the classroom environment.…”

“…As we consider the focus of Tinto's9,14 work, Let's Check-In: Tips for Success provides us the opportunity to connect with the students through the building of relationships and establishing a social presence, often missing in the online environment. As relationships develop between students and faculty and a supportive environment evolves, students are more likely to reach their academic goals 26…”

Building a 3-Tiered Orientation Program for Nursing Students

“…1 In another study, researchers found when faculty phoned first-semester online postlicensure students after the in-person orientation, students reported feeling a sense of connectedness and being well-prepared for the program. 2 In a third study, a comprehensive orientation along with other retention strategies designed to improve the student persistence for associate degree nursing students was proven effective. 3 Prior to July 2017, prelicensure nursing students at a large university in southwestern United States received 2 full days of program orientation.…”

“…In one study, the use of in-person orientations for online postlicensure students improved retention rates and increased the students' confidence level in the online environment 1. In another study, researchers found when faculty phoned first-semester online postlicensure students after the in-person orientation, students reported feeling a sense of connectedness and being well-prepared for the program 2. In a third study, a comprehensive orientation along with other retention strategies designed to improve the student persistence for associate degree nursing students was proven effective 3…”