Student Support at Carolina Nursing | UNC School of Nursing

Because Student Success Matters—In and Beyond the Classroom

At the UNC School of Nursing, your success, well-being, and growth as a future nurse leader are central to our mission. Whether you are navigating academic challenges, personal concerns, or unforeseen life events, we are here to support you. Rooted in a culture of compassion, well-being, and excellence, our student-centered support model connects you with the right resources at the right time—empowering you to thrive and contribute to advancing health for all.

While faculty play a vital role in supporting students’ academic success, it is important that they refrain from directly intervening in students’ mental health, physical health, or personal issues. Instead, faculty should recognize signs of distress and connect students with appropriate campus resources. Creating a compassionate, supportive learning environment while maintaining professional boundaries ensures that students receive the specialized care they need. The information below outlines stepwise approaches to ensuring students are connected to the specialized care they need, coordinated through the SON’s Office of Student Affairs.

Student Support Flowchart

When a challenge or concern arises, faculty and staff are to follow the process below to ensure appropriate and timely support:

Student Support Flowchart

Identify the Nature of the Challenge:

Life-Threatening Emergency
Examples: Immediate danger to self or others, serious medical emergency
1. Call 911 Immediately
2. Ensure safety first. Next, contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs to initiate follow-up.
Academic Difficulty
Examples: coursework challenges, test reviews, time management, learning concerns
1. Document concerns in Academic Progress Notes in Connect Carolina (UG) or Canvas (GR)
2. Refer to:
  1. Student Success & Retention Coordinator

Our academic support team offers personalized strategies and tools to help students thrive.

All Other Concerns
Examples: mental health, financial stress, housing, personal issues, non-emergency health concerns
1. Submit a NurSys Referral Form.
  Form submissions are reviewed within 24 hours on weekdays and within 48 hours on weekends.
2. If time-sensitive, contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs directly.

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) will review the concern and connect students with appropriate internal, campus, and/or community support.

Additional Resources

Submit a NurSys Referral Form
Request support for academic, personal, or professional concerns.
Meet the OSA Team
Learn more about the people here to support you throughout your Carolina Nursing journey.
Student Handbooks
Access the latest program-specific academic policies and guidance.
University Resources
Explore the resources available to you as a UNC student.
Tutor Request Form Coming Fall 2025 — stay tuned for updates

SON Referral Overview

The SON Referral System, modeled after UNC-Chapel Hill’s Care Team, provides focused assistance and centralized outreach for students facing challenges. Referrals help us respond quickly and coordinate coaching and resource identification in the following areas:

Academics
Health & Well-Being
Co-Curricular Support

Referrals can be submitted by:

Faculty
Staff
Preceptors
Students

All referrals are reviewed by trained staff in the Office of Student Affairs, who coordinate follow-up and outreach. Referrals are managed with discretion and care.

Important Note: Reports involving harassment, discrimination, or violence will be shared with the UNC Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (EOC) per University policy. Imminent threats to safety must be reported to 911.

Form submissions are reviewed within 24 hours on weekdays and within 48 hours on weekends.

If you need a quicker response, please contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs directly.

OSA Well-Being, Safety & Support Resources

Lactation & Meditation Room

The SON operates a lactation and meditation room for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It is in ITS Manning, 5th Floor. The room is equipped with a comfortable chair, refrigerator, outlet, and meditation resources. Please note that there is no registration required for this space, but there is a sign that can be placed on the door when it is occupied. Access to space is maintained by the OSA.

Jessica’s Cupboard

Located in the 2800 Suite of ITS Manning, Jessica’s Cupboard is a food and personal item pantry specifically for nursing students. In is accessible 24/7 through One Card access to the building. The pantry was created in honor of Jessica Lambert, a staff member who supported students experiencing food insecurity. This is a confidential and stigma-free resource for students.

Financial Hardship Fund

The SON Financial Hardship Fund supports students who are facing financial emergencies and have been denied funding from the UNC Student Emergency Fund.