ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The transition from high school to college can be a stressful experience for first-year university students. Peer advisors are thought to be a valuable social support resource for first-year nursing students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions and experiences of both first-year nursing students and their peer advisors in a first semester seminar course. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used on a sample that included 108 first-year nursing students and five peer advisors. RESULTS: The study revealed that 68% of the participating freshmen felt that the program met their nursing school expectations and 95.1% reported that the peer advisor group meetings were beneficial and met the goals of the courses, as anticipated. Students described their peer advisors as excellent communicators, accommodating, and sensitive to diversity. The course also offered peer advisors an opportunity for personal and professional growth. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study might help inform the academic institution's practices regarding the benefits of peer advisement program for first-year students.
