Undergraduate and graduate students at Georgetown University School of Nursing experience an innovative learning environment — inside and outside the classroom. Several student organizations are available to those looking to become more involved in the Georgetown Nursing community.
Academic Council
The Academic Council is a group of students who represent the school’s four undergraduate majors. The council acts as a liaison between the school’s students, faculty, and administration and plays an active role in issues such as class and curricular changes, academic policies, and plans for the future of the School of Nursing.
In addition, the council is a conduit for students to make suggestions for improving the school and discover career paths. The council plans signature annual events, including the Fall Ball, Senior Wine and Cheese, and Faculty Dinners. Members also participate on the school’s curriculum and planning committee, as well as the admissions committee.
CURA: A Health Care Pre-Orientation Program
Launched in 2017 through the generosity of BSN alumna Dee Harrison-Garvin (NHS’75), CURA: A Health Care Pre-Orientation Program features a vision to “empower and educate incoming students by virtue of Georgetown’s Jesuit, Catholic identity, resulting in transformative experiences in the health care setting through immersion, dialogue, and reflection.” The program, which occurs in partnership with the Office of Mission and Ministry and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, is open to incoming first-year students in Georgetown College, the McDonough School of Business, the School of Foreign Service, and the School of Nursing.
Minority Health Initiative Council
The mission of the Minority Health Initiative Council (MHIC) is to facilitate access and support for minority students within the school. The MHIC promotes the importance of optimal health to minorities through health education and training, research, and community outreach in an effort to reduce health disparities. The group’s mission is accomplished through the following instruction, research, and community service goals:
Reach out to current and prospective minority students to facilitate ongoing interaction and support in an effort to increase the number of underrepresented students who are interested in studying and working within the health field, while increasing retention rates.
Engage with the community as trusted partners in various health initiatives at the regional, national, and international levels. To promote and support strategies programs, research and health policies that address disease prevention and health service delivery capacity in medically underserved communities.
National Student Nurses’ Association
The Georgetown chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association assumes responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care. Its purpose is to provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interests and concerns, and to aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life. All nursing students are eligible to join. Meetings and activities are held throughout the school year.
Peer Advisors
The Office of Student Academic Affairs houses a strong peer advising program for current students who wish to help incoming students with the college transition process.
Peer advisors perform a number of important duties, including:
- Contacting advisees over the summer to introduce themselves and answer questions
- Assisting with preregistration process during the summer and fall semester
- Working closely with the Office of Student Academic Affairs during New Student Orientation
- Providing outreach and support for up to four new students by planning social activities and maintaining ongoing contact throughout summer and fall
- Helping advisees with preregistration results, schedule completion, and add-drop week
- Referring first-year students to appropriate university publications and resources
- Answering general questions about degree requirements, academic support services, and university procedures
- Attending training and events
- Maintaining contact with peer coordinators and advisees through academic year
- Contacting prospective students in April to talk about the benefits of attending Georgetown and being a student at the School of Nursing.
Undergraduate Research Conference
The Georgetown University Undergraduate Research Conference, founded within the Department of Human Science at the School of Health, is an opportunity for undergraduate students to present their research efforts. The conference focuses on medical and health-related research, inviting applicants from all health- and science-related disciplines. Participation is open to any undergraduate student.