Nikki O’Brien, MSW
Academic Advisor, MSU College of Nursing
Finding the “Fit”
Ensuring Success
“We spend much of our time navigating
prospective students through the process:
answering questions, getting to know them,
helping them figure out their goals and needs,
and educating them about nursing career paths
and our programs,” O’Brien reports. In this way
she believes that together they can explore
that individual’s potential “fit” for advanced
practice nursing, graduate education, and the
College’s specific programs.
Student support is tailored to each degree
program and personalized to meet the needs of
each individual student. O'Brien's office works in
close coordination with program directors and
graduate faculty advisors to ensure educational
excellence. College administrators serve as
key resources to students to ensure ongoing
program effectiveness meets professional nursing
standards and guidelines.
Having developed a relationship with many
applicants, she also makes herself available
to those not admitted, giving feedback,
encouragement and coaching. Sometimes
it’s just not good timing or a good fit. As she
says, “I like to stay in contact, nurturing that
relationship. Sometimes they end up with us,
and I love it when that happens.”
A good clinical experience with a qualified
preceptor that matches the student’s needs
and those of MSU is also vital to student
success. The College takes responsibility for
arranging placements, so students have the
best educational experience without having
to manage contracts and track clinical hours.
O’Brien handles questions and concerns
that range from the academic to the personal,
arranging services within the College, as well as
referring to external services, such as financial
aid, compliance, counseling, and emergency child
care, among others. As she says, “I use my human
resources and social work background every day
in my work. Any kind of issue, I’ll find a resource.”
Caring Continues Beyond Graduation
Nikki’s correspondence with me is
one of the major reasons I decided to pursue
my DNP at the MSU College of Nursing. She
encouraged us to stay on task with providing
required material to the College. She made
the 'hassles' of an application process easier
to manage. During our orientation she
was organized and efficient with pertinent
information. Nikki is the 'hand' we all needed
to step back into the academic arena and the
'arms' that kept us from falling off track. I truly
have appreciated all her efforts.”
I had the good fortune of meeting
Nikki while applying for my RN-BSN program
and then again for the MSN-NP program.
She shared helpful hints for the applications,
explained the application process, gave me
a time line, and provided guidance. I kept
Nikki’s message on my phone from when I
was accepted into the MSU College of Nursing.
I listened to it whenever I needed some
encouragement while getting through the first
year of the program. She is a great ambassador
for the College.”
Kristen M. Sorrow, MSN, FNP-BC, DNP class of 2016
Because of the relationships built during the
degree program, O’Brien maintains contact
with many alumni, following their careers and
lives with interest and pride. “It’s incredibly
rewarding to be invited into someone’s life
and know they value my role.”
GRADUATE LEVEL ACADEMIC ADVISING
O’Brien walks applicants through the
admissions process. Once decision letters
have gone out, she helps admitted students
prepare for a strong start in the fall, providing
information and encouragement, and alerting
them to resources, such as classes that can
be taken early and technology classes for
hybrid course online learning. As she says,
“One of the most rewarding things about my
job is to see people have a successful start in
their programs—feeling like they belong to the
College, feeling supported, and knowing they
have places to go and people to connect with
when they need to do that.”
Arranging Graduate Clinical
Placements for Students
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING • NURSING.MSU.EDU
My work is really about paying it forward, about investing in the academic and personal success of
nurses who will impact the health outcomes of their communities and care for people when they are at their
most vulnerable. We invest in their MSU experience to make sure they are engaged, supported, feel they belong—
having fun, learning, stretching, growing and doing all the things you’re supposed to do in graduate school.”
Roselinde Boyne, RN, BSN, MSN-NP class of 2014
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