Posted on May 22, 2012

RN-BS Students, STARS, Presented with Professionalism Pin

RN-BS Students, STARS, Presented with Professionalism Pin

Twenty eight Registered Nurse (RN) students beginning classes in the summer semester at the University of South Florida College of Nursing in the Bachelor Degree (BS) Program attended the first Support and Technology Assistance for RN Students (STARS) event on May 8, 2012. STARS was developed to acquaint students who are newly admitted to the College’s on-line RN to BS sequence with their classmates, faculty and advisors with whom they will interact. Attendance at the event is voluntary but highly encouraged, as students can expect to learn much about participating in on-line nursing education.

“The intent of the program is to introduce our RN students to faculty who will be teaching them and also to allow them to meet the Deans, Program Director, Academic Advisors and other staff and faculty who will be important to their success, said Sandy Czerwinski, ARNP, MS, Instructor & Program Director, RN-BS Completion. “We also want them to meet each other so they will be more comfortable when they meet online.”

Twenty eight University of South Florida College of Nursing Registered Nurse to Bachelor's Degree students beginning classes in the summer semester visited the USF College of Nursing for Support and Technology Assistance for RN Students (STARS) on May 8, 2012. Developed for new students admitted into the RN-BS program, STARS acquaints students who will complete most of their coursework online with their classmates, faculty and advisors with which they will interact. As part of their introduction to the College during STARS, members of the USF College of Nursing Alumni and Friends Society presented each student with the College's Professionalism Pin, and together as a group they recited the USF College of Nursing Professionalism Pledge. The pin serves as a reminder of the pledge that they made that day in the presence of their peers, USF nursing alumni and faculty.

STARS also familiarizes students with the support systems and additional resources available to them at the College. During the half-day program, students learn about online courses in general, academic advising & student services, computer and technology assistance, Blackboard and MyUSF, USF Library resources including The Writing Center, USF campus bookstores, and course registration.

As part of their introduction to the College during STARS, members of the USF College of Nursing Alumni and Friends Society presented each student with the College's Professionalism Pin, and together as a group they recited the USF College of Nursing Professionalism Pledge. The pin serves as a reminder of the pledge that they made that day in the presence of their peers, USF nursing alumni and faculty.

As part of their introduction to the College during STARS, members of the USF College of Nursing Alumni and Friends Society presented each student with the College’s Professionalism Pin, and together as a group they recited the USF College of Nursing Professionalism Pledge. The pin serves as a reminder of the pledge that they made that day in the presence of their peers, USF nursing alumni and faculty.

“The College of Nursing Alumni & Friends Society was honored to be invited to participate in the STARS program. The RN-BS students are already nursing professionals practicing in our community and it was our pleasure to welcome them as future alumni of the USF College of Nursing,” said Melissa Molinari Shelton PhD, RN, USF College of Nursing Alumni and Friends Board President, Assistant Professor & Concentration Director, Nursing Education. “The Professional Ceremony marks the students’ pledge to live up to the high ideals of the College, and also highlights the commitment of USF faculty and alumni to provide the guidance and resources necessary to be successful nurses in the program and in the future.”

Twenty eight University of South Florida College of Nursing Registered Nurse to Bachelor's Degree students beginning classes in the summer semester visited the USF College of Nursing for Support and Technology Assistance for RN Students (STARS) on May 8, 2012. Developed for new students admitted into the RN-BS program, STARS acquaints students who will complete most of their coursework online with their classmates, faculty and advisors with which they will interact. As part of their introduction to the College during STARS, members of the USF College of Nursing Alumni and Friends Society presented each student with the College's Professionalism Pin, and together as a group they recited the USF College of Nursing Professionalism Pledge. The pin serves as a reminder of the pledge that they made that day in the presence of their peers, USF nursing alumni and faculty.

Cheryl Zambroski, PhD, RN, Associate Professor & Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs, (far left) and Marisa Belote, RN, BSN, MBA, USF College of Nursing Alumni and Friends Society CANDLE committee chair, Instructor & Director, Virtual Simulation Center of Excellence and Clinical Education(far right), welcome RN-BS students to the College and present them with the USF Nursing Professionalism Pin.

The College plans to continue to offer STARS to newly admitted RN to BS students prior to the start of each semester. There were 84 students accepted into the RN to BS sequence in Summer. In the previous semester, 63 students were accepted into the charter class of students in the new online RN to BS sequence.

For more information on the RN to BS sequence go to http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/AdmissionsPrograms/rn-bs.html.