Looking Back: Advice from a Recent Alumna

My name is Laraine Ann Chiu and I graduated in May with the Class of 2011 from NYU College of Nursing. Throughout my academic studies and clinical rotations, I had been very involved in the College. I took the opportunity to coordinate the Undergraduate Curriculum Review Discussions with the deans, I served as an Executive Board member in the Undergraduate Nursing Student Organization as well as an Orientation Leader and Student Panelist for the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs & Admissions. I also became a member of the Graduation Planning Committee for the Class of 2011 and I volunteered at NYU Langone Medical Center.

It is through my involvement and service to the College that I was commemorated at the University-wide graduation by being featured in the Commencement Video to represent the College of Nursing. In order to continue my involvement in the College, I am currently working in the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing and participating in the Summer Research Program with the guidance of a faculty mentor from the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) Program.

Are you interested in getting involved, but don’t know where to start? Here are my top four tips on how to make the most of your experience as a student in the College of Nursing:

· Represent your fellow nursing students in a leadership role:

Ø Become an Undergraduate Nursing Student Organization (UNSO) Representative or Executive Board Member

Ø Join one or all of the nursing student interest groups: M.E.N. in Nursing, Asian Pacific Islander-Nursing Student Association (API-NSA), Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer – Faculty, Alumni, Nursing Students & Staff (LGBTQ FANSS), the Black Student Nurses Association (B.S.N.A.), and Latinos Aspiring to Imagine Nursing Opportunities (LATINOS).

Ø Attend faculty presentations, social events, fundraisers, and general meetings hosted by student organizations. I especially enjoyed fundraising with the NYUCN Team for the American Cancer Society’s Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk!

· Get Involved in the College of Nursing:

Ø Provide your services to the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs & Admissions (participate in Student Panels, New Student Orientations, and Meet & Greet Sessions for prospective and incoming nursing students.)

Ø Join the Graduation Committee for your graduating class

Ø Participate in academic workshops and events hosted by the Office of Academic Advising & Learning Development

· Participate in Research Opportunities:

Ø Familiarize yourself with publications from the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE ) Program

Ø Conduct informational interviews with administrative members of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

Ø Find a faculty mentor in the College of Nursing who is conducting research in your area of interest and volunteer to lend assistance

· Volunteer in Your Community:

Ø Apply and commit to a volunteer position in your area of interest at a primary, acute or long-term care setting

Ø Attend Nursing Conferences and Health Fairs throughout New York City

Ø Support health-related causes and organizations (The Walk Against Breast Cancer with the American Cancer Society, the Walk to Cure Diabetes with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Oral Cancer Walk with the NYU College of Dentistry, etc.)