Background: The College of Nursing (CON) at a particular university admits over 500 students to the online graduate nursing program over three semesters in one year. To overcome the logistics and expense of on-campus orientation, the CON transitioned to a mandatory online orientation using the university’s learning management system.

Methods: Orientation was held through a course site which culminated in a live webinar experience. The course included content traditionally delivered during on campus orientation. During the webinar, faculty presented a coursework overview and allowed students feedback.

Results: Based on student feedback, changes were implemented to decrease limitations and weaknesses. Mandatory modules and quizzes were instituted in the course. Students received a webinar invitation after completing module content and earning 100% on quizzes.

Conclusion: The virtual orientation process resulted in decreased expenses and logistical concerns, increased student and faculty satisfaction and appropriate participation in the webinar.

As many researchers know, accessing your targeted population is imperative when doing personcentered research. After moving to a new area of the country and accepting a faculty position at a local university, my first priority was gaining access to local nursing homes for my recently funded research study. With this in mind, I called and scheduled introductory meet-and-greet meetings at several local nursing homes. These meetings led to the 2011 formation of the Geriatric Interest Group of Spokane or GIGS.