Coping with new systems

The main purpose for the course was to facilitate students in adaptive growth producing changes. Feedback from students has indicated that they found the seminars very helpful. Group outcomes of the seminars were also noted. Of those students who participated in this project, several joined forces and organized the RN Council. This Council has been very influential in our school in the administration of the RN studies program. Most of these students have gone on for graduate education. This approach appears successful in enhancing continued growth. However, no systematic data have been collected about this intervention model. Sufficient interest has been generated in others so that a study is being developed and will be implemented in the new academic year. The purpose of this controlled study is to determine whether or not such a planned support group will facilitate goal attainment. Such data will add to the knowledge base of the nurse educator interested in the RN student, the RN student who returns to school, and peers who attempt to facilitate that process. In the meantime, the Old-Now-New You Process Model is being utilized to facilitate students, clients, and faculty in decision making in futuristic goal setting.