Academic/Clinical Advising

Policy: Advising

An advisor is a faculty member assigned to a student during Orientation Week of the didactic year and is available during the didactic and/or clinical phase of the program according to published office/ available hours. The advisor-student relationship is a unique and integral part of Bethel University’s PA Program. The advisor serves as a student mentor within this relationship. The advisor promotes the progress of the student, lending support and providing advice to further the growth into the physician assistant role. The advisor is an important resource for students as they transition through the program from phase to phase. It is expected to cultivate a mutually trusting relationship based on sincere and candid interactions. Advisors maintain confidentiality of student information, referring circumstances to other program faculty/staff only when appropriate and necessary.

The advisor and student meet on a monthly basis during the didactic phase of the program. The student begins advisement during didactic orientation week and resumes monthly. These meetings present opportunities to become better acquainted, to problem-solve individual issues (academic, personal, professional), to provide guidance in developing the student's role in the PA profession, and to review the student's academic progress. Additional advisor-student meetings may be scheduled at the request of either the student or faculty member.

During the clinical phase of the program, the advisor meets with the student at the end of each rotation. The differences between didactic and clinical phase advising are the meeting time and utilization of the student portfolio for advising.

The advisor utilizes the progress report the didactic phase or student portfolio during the clinical phase to guide advising. The progress report contains a summary of grades, professional issues and attendance. The portfolio contains rotation advising forms, preceptor evals, self-assessments, and assignments. An advisor reports incidents and issues as necessary and provides individual assistance. The advisor is made aware of any situation which may influence student training and guides the student through the educational process. Advisors are available to assist students in understanding and abiding with program policies and procedures.

Summative advising occurs during the Summative course. The advising consists of reviewing the student portfolio, Summative ePACKRAT, student competency self-assessment, volunteer hours, student case logs and PANCE preparation to ensure the student meets the requirements for graduation.

While the program cannot solve every problem, the student seeks guidance from their advisor, if needed. The PA program supports and assists the student’s progression to become successful in this educational and professional endeavor. Confidentiality of all problems is maintained, except when there is threat of harm to the student or another individual.

Access and Referral for Personal Issues

Students may on occasion experience personal problems and may require assistance and objective guidance to help regain balance and build coping mechanisms. Bethel University Physician Assistant Program will make reasonable efforts to assist students who are experiencing difficulty in their personal life.

• Should a student experience difficulty in their personal life, which may affect their performance in the program, the student may discuss with advisor and/or Program Director for further guidance.

OR

• The student may discuss personal issues directly with the Dean of the Chapel or Chaplain

  • Dean of the Chapel, Rev. Dr. Anne B. Hames, is available for spiritual counseling and can be reached at her office located in Campbell Hall suite 215A, by phone at (731) 352-4066, or emailed at hamesa@bethelu.edu.

  • Chaplain, Rev. Garrett A. Burns is also available and can be reached at his office located in Campbell Hall suite 215C, by phone at (731)-352- 6449 or cell phone 731-535-3126 or emailed at burnsg@bethelu.edu.

• Counseling referrals may be made through Hometown Health Clinic located on the McKenzie Campus and can be contacted at 731-352-4291.
  After-hour emergencies, please contact any of the following:

  • Carey Counseling Center 408 Virginia Street Paris, TN (731) 642-0521 or Carey Counseling Crisis-line 1-800-353-9918.

  • 24/7 Campus Security Line (text/call) 731-415-7599.

  • TEXT - Students can text TN to 741741 to connect to the National Crisis Text Line and a trained professional counselor.

  • SUICIDE & Crisis Hotline: 988 or 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471)

  • Crisis Services & Suicide Prevention

  • WTH Henry County Hospital ER 301 Tyson Avenue Paris, TN (731) 642-1220.

  • WTH Henry County Hospital - Security 301 Tyson Avenue Paris, TN (731) 642-1220.

  • Call 911.

Procedure:

Students are assigned an advisor during orientation week by the Academic Director and are advised throughout the didactic and clinical training by this assigned advisor.

a) A list of assigned advisors is posted at the beginning of orientation of the didactic phase and an introductory advising is conducted between the advisor and student at the end of the orientation week.

b) At the first meeting, the advisor reviews the expectations of each student and behaviors required for successful completion of the Program.

c) Advisors are sent a progress report on each didactic student from the Academic Department at the end of each month and utilizes the student portfolio from the Clinical Department at the end of each rotation.

d) Advisors utilize the progress report and student portfolio when advising students.

e) The student in the didactic phase is advised regularly at the end of the month and the end of semester*. The student in the clinical phase is advised at the end of each rotation and during summative.

f) Student advising includes a review of grades; professional issues, attendance and any issues that the student feels need to be addressed to the faculty or Program.

g) It is the advisor’s responsibility to report any academic or personal issues to the appropriate Director or other services as needed.

h) Advisors complete the student advisor form and turn it into the appropriate department to be kept in the student record.

*The end of semester advising during the didactic year for each student is conducted by a second faculty member, which provides a second point of view by an additional advisor.