Graduate Student FAQ

 Advisor Role

• Why do I have an advisor?

• • Your faculty advisor will help you develop a plan to complete your academic program smoothly
  • Your faculty advisor is knowledgeable about your specialty program area and its requirements

• Why else might I go to my advisor?
  • An advisor can serve as a professional reference
  • Your advisor will assist you if you are having academic/life difficulties or need to file a petition (see below)
  • You should arrange to meet with your advisor at least once per term.  You should contact your advisor first!
  • Your advisor will need to sign off any petitions you submit.

 

Petitions

• Petitions are in Beacon: https://beacon.nursing.osu.edu
• Petitions information is in the Handbook for the program
• Can I change Specialty Areas?

• • FIRST talk to your advisor
  • Second, talk to the Director for the track into which you’d like to transfer- be prepared to discuss WHY you want to change
  • Complete the appropriate form with supporting documentation.

• How can I request a waiver of coursework?

• • Talk to your advisor
  • Waivers are based on previous completed coursework, so you must have official documentation and a course syllabus from the course that is equivalent to the one for which you are requesting the waiver
  • Complete the appropriate form with supporting documentation.
  • Post Masters (non-degree) students need not petition to waive courses

• How do I request a Leave of Absence?
  • Talk to your Advisor about the issues that are related to the LOA
  • Complete the petition form in Beacon with supporting documentation.

 

Registering for Classes

• I registered for the wrong course or section or number of credits-What do I do????

• • During the first week of classes (often only on the first day for “session” courses), you can go back into the registration screen and correct it yourself.
  • After that, see the Graduate Program Manager to help you make the correction
  • Students may have to pay a forfeiture fee for any class adjustments made after the first day.

• The computer won’t let me register for anything.  What do I do?

• • Contact the Graduate Program Manager immediately.

• Post Masters (non-degree) students should contact the Graduate Program Manager to register for classes

 

Clinical Courses

• How do I register for variable credit courses?

• • Directions on how to register a variable credit course can be found on the Nursing website
  • Be SURE to identify the correct section.  Click on the class number (blue hyperlink) to get details, including the specialty track information.
  • PLEASE NOTE you must manually input the CORRECT number of credit hours (if not the system defaults to 2 credits).
  • You can check your personalized curriculum plan in Beacon for the appropriate number of credits for which you will need to enroll.

• What if my placement is outside of Columbus?

• • In many specialties, clinical placement outside of Columbus is necessary to meet your needs.  You are responsible for transportation to the site.

• What if I can’t complete all of my clinical hours within the term?

• • The student must talk with the course faculty as soon as possible in order to design a strategy.
  •  An “I” will be assigned for that course.
  • Students may NOT complete clinical hours when the University is not in session–Individual liability insurance is NOT a substitute for the College’s liability policy
  • Hours may not be completed in advance of the beginning of the term in which the course is offered
  • Students should ONLY enroll if there is reasonable expectation that the requirements of the course can be completed during the assigned term

• How do I arrange my clinical schedule so that it fits my needs?

• • Students negotiate the required clinical hours with the assigned preceptor. These hours may be flexible depending on the preceptor’s schedule
  • The student is required to inform the preceptor if unable to be there at the assigned times and arrange for make up hours

• Whom do I contact if I have concerns about the preceptor or the clinical experience?

• • First, contact your instructor to discuss the problem
  • If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact the course head.  We are here to support you and help you problem solve.

• What is appropriate Clinical Attire?

• • A clean ironed lab coat or jacket with the OSU College of Nursing patch is appropriate
  • Multiple decorative rings, fake nails, extreme jewelry (including nose rings, belly button rings and multiple earrings) or extreme hairstyles are NOT acceptable
  • Strong perfume of after shave must be avoided
  • You should assure that your dress is equivalent or better than the expectations the practice has for its employees

• I think the grade I received in my Nursing course was unfair.  What do I do?

• • First, talk with your advisor. This may help initiate a productive dialogue
  • If no resolution is obtained, begin the process of filing a grade grievance with the College of Nursing.  Details are available in the online Student Handbook.

 

Summary:

• Make sure that you talk with your advisor at least once a term!

• Read the Graduate Student Handbook; it has lots of guidelines and helpful hints

• When in doubt, contact your advisor, the Graduate Program Manager or the Director of your degree and/or specialty program for information

• Don’t rely on rumors for accurate information

• Be sure to get your forms in on time! Graduation and other important outcomes are ultimately your responsibility

• Remember: the faculty and staff want you to be successful.

We are here to help!