Penn State World Campus is expanding its scholarship program that helps students navigate their first year of learning online with a new version for nurses working toward their bachelor’s degrees.
Smart Track to Success was developed for incoming World Campus students with few or no previous college credits. If they accept an invitation to participate in the program, they will take a course to learn about academic resources and life skills to smooth their transition as an online learner and build their confidence to continue their studies past the first year. Participants also receive a scholarship.
A new version, Smart Track to Nursing Success, has been created for nurses who are pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. It began in the fall semester.
“The Smart Track to Success program has helped hundreds of people who take the leap and go to college for the first time make the transition to be a successful college student,” said Renata Engel, vice provost for Online Education at Penn State. “We are excited to expand the program for the first time to focus on nursing students — specifically RNs who are pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. Through this program, we hope to remove barriers and smooth the transitions as these learners advance their education and support their career goals.”
Smart Track to Nursing Success is an invitation-only scholarship program available to students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) online through World Campus. The nursing bachelor’s degree program is offered online by the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.
Scholarship programs that help students be successful
Penn State World Campus developed Smart Track to Nursing Success because of the success of the original program, which opened in 2017.
The original Smart Track to Success program was designed to address the challenges that lead students to step away from school in their first or second semesters, such as adjusting to academic demands or the cost. It requires students to take a noncredit course as part of their course load each of the first two semesters. The course focuses on academic skills, such as writing, in the first semester, and in the second one, it focuses on life skills, networking, and getting involved as an online learner at Penn State.
Students receive a $1,500 scholarship each semester.
The faculty and staff in the Nese College of Nursing worked with World Campus staff to tailor Smart Track to Nursing Success to meet the specific needs of nurses pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
These students are registered nurses (RNs) who will have already had post-secondary education experience from when they acquired their nursing licenses. However, some aspects of college may be challenging to them, such as the academic writing and research that are common in the first courses in the RN to BSN degree program.
As a result, the nursing version has a narrower focus compared to the original program and requires one semester of participation.
“While RNs have already been to college, we know they can use the extra resources to make the transition back to school as smooth as possible,” said Mary Alyce Nelson, an associate teaching professor and director of the Nese College’s online undergraduate nursing programs. “Smart Track to Success aims to provide that, and we hope this program helps our new RN to BSN students thrive in their first semester.”
The nursing version is open to all students who start the RN to BSN degree program through World Campus.
Students who are invited to participate can accept or decline. Only students who participate receive scholarship funding.
The impact of Smart Track on student success
More than 700 students have participated in the original Smart Track to Success program. The first participants to complete their degrees graduated in 2021. World Campus data suggest that participants in Smart Track are likely to continue their studies past their first semester.
“By expanding the Smart Track to Success program to include nursing students, we are reaffirming our commitment to support every learner’s journey,” Engel said. “We believe that with the right resources and guidance, our nursing students will not only succeed but thrive in their academic pursuits and in their nursing careers.”
A Penn State degree online
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years, with a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degree and certificate programs now available. Penn State World Campus offers scholarships that provide financial support to its students.
Learn more about the scholarships that are available to Penn State World Campus students.