Counseling

The College of Nursing offers easily accessible, confidential counseling support tailored to the unique needs of each student. Our licensed counselor listens to students’ concerns and partners with students to help them build on their strengths and develop additional coping skills. All counseling services are free to College of Nursing students.

Coping Skills Video

Services

Individual counseling with a focus on helping students:

  • Learn to more effectively manage stress
  • Adjust to nursing school
  • Reduce test anxiety (the most common reason students come to our counseling office)
  • Reduce anxiety symptoms
  • Manage depression symptoms
  • Focus on self-care
  • Practice self-compassion
  • Learn assertive communication
  • Set personal boundaries

Lunch ‘n Learn programs which are offered several times during the semester and focus on a variety of topics, including:

  • Reducing Test Anxiety
  • Thriving at Nursing School and Surviving the Holidays
  • Building Resilience
  • Strengthening Self-Compassion

Group counseling which can be offered based on student needs.

Accessing Counseling Services

  • Students can schedule a counseling appointment by stopping by our counselor's office (room 112), calling the office at (309) 655-7100, or emailing the counselor at Victoria.S.Hopp@osfhealthcare.org.
  • Walk-ins are also welcome!
  • Students may also be referred to our counselor by faculty and professional staff.
  • Students can meet with the counselor in person or via our HIPAA-compliant telehealth video system.
  • Counseling hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Appointments may be scheduled outside of these regular hours based on needs of individual students.

Confidentiality

All information students share with the counselor is confidential with the following exceptions:

  • The counselor is concerned that the student is at risk for harming herself/himself;
  • The counselor is concerned that the student could cause serious harm to another person;
  • The counselor is concerned that a minor child is at risk of being abused or neglected.

If the counselor and student agree that it would be helpful for the counselor to share specific information with faculty, staff or an external provider, the student completes a Release of Information form which the student can revoke at any time.

Informed Consent Forms

Once you have scheduled an appointment, please fill out the following Informed Consent form and email it to Victoria.S.Hopp@osfhealthcare.org.

Informed Consent forms:

Food Pantry

Our counselor also oversees our food pantry.

  • ALL applications are accepted from full or part-time College of Nursing students.
  • Students’ participation in the food pantry is confidential.
  • It’s easy to apply for and receive food from the food pantry
  • Students complete a short, one-time application form on-line
  • Students then receive a Food Pantry ID number which ensures their confidentiality when placing orders
  • Students order on-line and pick up their order at the counseling office in room 112

Click here for a Food Pantry Application Form (PDF) and return completed form to Kaylee Wagner. For more information, contact Kaylee Wagner by calling (309) 655-2180 or email her at Kaylee.V.Wagner@osfhealthcare.org.

“Take Five Minutes to Relax and Unwind” Strategies:

RA Program

The counselor also provides guidance to the College of Nursing’s RAs who live in the dorm and offer support to dorm students. To apply to be an RA, fill out the RA forms available here.

State and Federal Regulations

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is committed to the personal safety and health of both students and employees. To assist with this the following resources are provided:

Addiction Prevention

The counselor can make referrals to local substance abuse treatment providers when appropriate.

Information related to addiction can be found under the Drug/Alcohol Prevention section of the Student Handbook.

Voting Registration

Voter registration forms are available in the Counseling office and online.