Upon admission to the program, students are automatically assigned a faculty advisor or occasionally an advisor and a co-advisor based on research areas of interest and best match. Faculty advisor(s) will play a crucial role throughout the doctoral experience and possibly beyond, so establishing a good working relationship early will be vital to success. Students are to have regular meetings with their advisor(s); the interval of meeting may vary depending on what the student is working on but having monthly meetings are recommended in general.
Possible initial talking points with advisor include:
Review of initial coursework to be taken in the first year
Possible transfer courses
Long-term academic plans
Potential career goals now that you are here (e.g. Do you want to become faculty? An administrator? Researcher? Consultant?).
Potential timeline to completion if attending part-time, have significant family or work responsibilities, or have any special needs that may affect your ability to meet milestones as expected
Interests you may have going forward (e.g. Do you want to incorporate practical experience along with coursework? Do you want to be part of a research project?)
How often the student and advisor should meet and method of communication
Changing Advisor(s)
The relationship between advisor and student is voluntary and rests upon mutual agreement. Sometimes, students request to make an advisor change. Many PhD students shift their course of study and focus over their graduate career, but this does not necessarily require a change in advisors. Faculty advisors can facilitate students’ academic development by working directly with the student or by encouraging them to gain experience with other faculty members (e.g., research or teaching assistantships, grant writing opportunities). Sometimes students work more closely with one (or more) members of their committee than with their advisor. These mentorships in addition to advisement are expected and valuable for professional development. Faculty advisors can also suggest changes in committee membership to accommodate a change in dissertation focus. Students may change their advisor at any time. But once PhD students have begun work on their dissertation, changing advisors should be limited to circumstances such as personality conflicts, ethical problems, substantial shifts in areas of interest, or the advisor resigning from the University. Students should remember that the initial student/advisor match was carefully considered prior to admission and any funding associated with the advisor (e.g., grant related funding) may change if an advisor change is made after admission. Students wishing to change graduate advisors should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). Likewise, faculty who are considering a change in their role as an advisor should consult with the DGS. Changes in graduate advisors need to be approved by the DGS.
Research interests and email addresses of faculty members in the School of Nursing can be found on the School of Nursing website. Considerations in selection of a faculty advisor include the following:
Faculty member is approved to have Graduate Education responsibilities (see Graduate School website for faculty members with Graduate Education responsibilities). This is typically a tenured/tenure-track faculty member with a PhD.
Satisfactory match between student program and research interests and the faculty member’s interests and expertise.
Available to work closely with advisee (consider anticipated leave, advisee load, etc.);
Mutual interest of both parties in pursuing an advisor-advisee relationship.
Advisement is essential in making decisions about course selection and program planning.
PhD Program Planning Tool
To support and guide your successful completion of our PhD program, all students are required to complete the Program Planning Tool with their advisor. The Program Planning Tool will address the PhD Student Performance Standards, assist in planning and achieving the program milestones in a timely manner, and guide communications and meetings between advisor and advisee. The Program Planning Tool should be completed for a minimum of two years, but can be for multiple years.
In addition to mapping out the program milestones, students are highly recommended to develop an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to discuss and enact with their advisor. Recommended activities and achievements to include in this plan are included in the planning document. You will be discussing and developing this plan as part of the course, NURS Proseminar in Nursing in fall semester.
Submission of the Program Planning Tool is due by November 1st of the first semester in the program.
Access the PhD Program Planning Tool
Access the PhD Program Planning Tool Template.
Within the Program Planning Tool Template document, select "File" and "Make a Copy".
When prompted, edit the document name to include your first and last name. Select "Ok" to complete the copy to your Google Drive.
Once the template document is copied to your Google Drive you may begin editing and creating your plan! The tool was developed to be modified and adapted for your unique PhD journey and updated along the way in collaboration with your advisor. You and your advisor are welcome to add additional fields and information as it's useful for you.
Sharing Your PhD Program Planning Tool
Within your PhD Program Planning Tool select the "Share" button in the upper right corner of the screen.
Enter your advisor(s) name or email address when the sharing prompt opens.
Enter a message to your advisor(s) if you wish to do so.
Select "Send" to share your Program Planning Tool.
Submitting your PhD Program Planning Tool:
Once you and your advisor have reviewed your plan and they have indicated their support please submit your planning tool using the instructions below. You are only required to submit once and do not need to resubmit or prompt as your plan is updated and evolves. Your submission will be securely stored and only the Director of Graduate Studies and PhD Program Coordinator will have access to submissions.
Within your PhD Program Planning Tool click the "Share" button in the upper right corner of the document.
When the sharing action box opens, click on "Get Sharable Link" in the upper right corner of the box.
Copy the link provided and select "Done"
Access the PhD Planning Tool Submission Form
Fill in the fields and paste the link to your planning tool in the space provided
Submit the form once completed.
Statement of Communication Needs
The Statement of Communication Needs describes the preferred ways and frequency of communication/meeting with your advisor that will enable you to successfully progress in the program. A copy of your Statement of Communication Needs is due to your advisor on or before the same date as your PhD Program Planning Tool. You do not need to submit your statement of communication needs to the DGS or Doctoral Programs Coordinator. Below is an example of a statement that is shared with the author's permission. If you would like to share your statement as an example for your fellow students you may email it to Alicia George ([email protected]) and Karen McCray ([email protected]).
Example 1:
I prefer to utilize e-mail as the primary form of communication. I do check this multiple times a day. My cell number is xxx-xxx-xxxx; however, I do not answer calls from unknown numbers. Texting is better for me if you are trying to reach me sooner, or please leave a voice mail message.
I would prefer meetings twice a month. I would like to utilize a combination of in person meetings and zoom meetings as I live a distance away and often have family obligations please.
Feedback that would be helpful includes suggestions that would assist me toward success such as a something to read, a class to take, a person to connect with, a change in an approach, or other way to grow. For example, I did not realize we could apply for additional RA positions until you mentioned it and did not realize that we could apply for RA positions once our 2 year appointment was over.
I have only brief professional nursing experience. Because of this, I feel that I need more assistance transitioning into the role of a PhD student, on to a postdoctoral experience, and on to professional role as an employee with a PhD. I do appreciate feedback that would assist my growth please.
It helps me to have a shared meeting agenda I will work to post it in google docs for future meetings which allows you to adjust to meet your needs and expectations as well. This can become the meeting notes for us both to adjust and remaining items can be rolled over to the next meeting.