Student Guide to
Success
at the UTMB School of
Nursing
UTMB School of Nursing
Trish Richard, RN, PhD,
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Program and Education
Technology
Overview
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Welcome to UTMB School of
Nursing
Undergraduate, Master’s &
Doctoral Programs and Courses
Helpful Hints and Tips for
Success
SON Programs
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BSN Traditional
BSN Accelerated BACC2
RN-BSN Track Baccalaureate Program
Clinical Nurse Leader
Family Nurse Practitioner & Post Master’s
Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Program & Post Master’s
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner & Post
Master’s
Executive Nursing Leadership
Nurse Educator with Clinical Concentration
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Nursing PhD Program
Student Centered Learning
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SON focuses on student centered
rather than instructor/teacher
centered learning.
You are responsible for your learning
The instructor:
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essential guide
professional resource
will assist you as you move through the
content
Digital/Virtual Resources
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Adobe Connect Presenter
Voice Thread
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Microsoft Lync
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Classroom lecture capture, replay from
Blackboard
Smarthinking
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Virual meetings/tutoring, audio & video, etc.
Tegrity
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Voice over Powerpoint
Online tutoring, writing lab, etc.
Turn-It-In
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Plagiarism detection resource
Characteristics of a
Successful School of Nursing
Learner
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Successful learners at the SON
are:
highly motivated
 independent
 active learners
 self-starters and self-directed
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Possess good organizational
and time management skills
Make school the priority for the
duration of the program
Characteristics of a
Successful School of Nursing
Learner
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Have discipline to study without
external reminders
Can adapt to new learning
environments
Have an ability to prioritize
Have good stress management skills
Competent regarding computer skills
(word processing, email, etc.)
Planning to Study
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Set times with your family and others
so you can work on your courses
Divide up chores with other family
members to free up time for study
Organize your schedule to include
planned study time
Try to capitalize on your high energy
times of day
Plan family activities each week to
give them the attention they deserve
Develop a Study Plan
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Look over the course requirements
and assignments
Look at how you can minimize your
commitments
Decide on a study schedule for each
week. . . and then stick to it
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Reading assignments
Reviewing presentations
Working on projects
Environment
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Create a Study Environment
Find a quiet, convenient workspace
Inform your family of your goals and
your study schedule, and ask that
you not be disturbed while studying
Try to avoid interruptions and
distractions while you're "in class" or
doing homework
Reward yourself periodically for
completing study tasks
Hints & Tips
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Take advantage of the course
orientation at the beginning of the
semester.
Classroom:
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Course review content
Clarify expectations
Online:
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Digital & virtual resources
Provides course content review
Post messages to discussion board for
clarification as needed
Hints & Tips
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On-line activities
Provide flexibility
 Provide additional resources
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Be committed: willing and able
to commit 3 hours per credit
hour a week per course.
Prioritize: you will need to make
some life choices.
Take the program and yourself
seriously
Hints & Tips
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Plan in advance - avoid last minute
assignments
Plan in advance for exams
For off campus online exams: setup
proctor and make arrangements in
advance.
Plan to take the first exam when
technical support is available
(Monday-Thursday, 8:00-6:00)
Communication
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Clear and concise online or
email communication is a
challenge
Adhere to online/email
netiquette recommendations
O U O
NO
SHOUTING!!!!!
U O U
MMMM
NO FLAMING!!!
MMMM
Communication
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Questions:
 Post to
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Discussion Board:
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course related issues
discussion that would benefit classmates
 Private
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email or phone call:
questions of a personal nature
Do Not Post:
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Information on social networking
sites
Study Partners
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Some tasks are best done alone,
however…
Partners can:
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generate additional ideas
suggest improvements
share the work
explain things from a different
perspective for better understanding
help to keep you motivated and on
track
Take advantage of the ability to
connect with other students.
Be a good team member!
Apply What You're Learning
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Look for ways to relate and apply the
knowledge you are gaining
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helps you put the theory into practice
helps you understand how it relates to
the real world
Develop your clinical reasoning and
critical thinking skills
Apply What You're Learning
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Use clinical time to:
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become comfortable in the setting
develop communication skills with other
professionals and patients
develop your decision making skills by
assimilating data and discussing with
nurses and faculty
Share experiences with your
classmates and instructor
You all can learn from each other!
Speak Up!
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Take responsibility:
to ask questions
 get clarifications
 to let the instructor know when
something isn't working for you
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Technology should be a tool not
a frustration 
Experiencing technical
difficulty?
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ASK FOR HELP!
Contact information is provided:
 in the syllabus of each course
Don’t wait until you get frustrated to ask for
assistance.
 username and password issues – call
helpdesk at 409-772-5200, 281-5541577 or 1-888-898-2401
 other technical issues – use the
technical support Discussion Board or
email course secretary
Technical Support
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Test your computer system and
Internet access prior to the first week
of the semester.
SON technical support available
during normal working hours
(Monday through Friday, 8-6)
Helpdesk available 24/7
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Local: (409) 772-5200,
(281)-554-1577
Toll free: 1-888-898-2401
UTMB School of Nursing
Student Resources
UTMB School of Nursing:
http://nursing.utmb.edu/
 UTMB Website: http://www.utmb.edu
 UTMB Intranet:
http://intranet.utmb.edu/iutmb/
 Blackboard: https://eclass.utmb.edu/
eCamp:
http://son.utmb.edu/currentstudents/technology/
ecamp.cshtml
 Information Services: http://www.utmb.edu/is/
 Username and password issues –
 ISHelp@utmb.edu
 helpdesk call 409-772-5200 or
 281-554-1577 or 1-888-898-2401
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Good Luck!
And Enjoy the Journey!