2019-2020 Catalog > College of Nursing and Health Sciences > School of Nursing

School of Nursing

Dr. Barbara Haas, Executive Director and CNHS Associate Dean

The School of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree. Upon successful completion of the BSN curriculum at the Tyler, Longview, or Palestine campus, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Objectives

The School’s nursing graduates address the challenges of a dynamic health care delivery system by initiating resourceful solutions for health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management.

Based on the philosophy and mission statements of both the university and the School of Nursing, the following behaviors reflect expected outcomes (terminal objectives) for the nursing program. Graduates of the baccalaureate nursing program should be able to:

1. Professionalism: Uphold standards of practice using moral, altruistic, ethical, and humanistic principles, while maintaining legal and regulatory standards. 
2. Patient Centered Care: Recognize individual’s preferences, values, and needs; anticipate the uniqueness of all individuals, families, and populations; and incorporate the patient/family/population in the plan and implementation of care.
3. EBP: Synthesize and apply evidence, along with clinical expertise and patient values, to improve patient outcomes.
4. Informatics & Technology: Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
5. Quality Improvement: Use a systematic, data-guided approach to continuously improve outcomes and processes for the patient and healthcare systems.
6. Teamwork and Collaboration: Function effectively in nursing and interprofessional teams and foster communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.
7. Wellness and Prevention: Assess health and wellness in individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations to promote health outcomes.
8. Leadership: Promote the practice of professional nursing through leadership and advocacy. 
9. Safety: Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients, self, and others. 

Advisement and Counseling

Pre-nursing students may schedule appointments with nursing advisors by calling 903-566-7320 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.uttyler.edu/nursing/college/advising.php. Students admitted to the nursing program may schedule appointments online at: uttyler.campus.eab.com

Prerequisites

All students must complete the Texas core curriculum requirements and prerequisite nursing courses with a grade of “C” or better and a minimum GPA of 2.75 (4.0 basis) in order to be considered for admission. Prerequisite courses required for all BSN tracks include:

Physical and Biological Sciences

Social Sciences and Humanities

Mathematics

Admission Policy

Full Admission

Students are considered for full admission to the undergraduate nursing program if all the Texas core curriculum requirements and the nursing prerequisite courses are completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.75, and all transcripts are on file in the Admissions Office.

Conditional Admission

Students are eligible for conditional admission to the undergraduate nursing program if there are no more than five (5) outstanding prerequisite courses required to complete the core curriculum and nursing prerequisites by the deadline, have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the core curriculum and nursing prerequisites and a minimum GPA of 2.75 on all nursing prerequisites.

Achievement Examinations

Achievement examinations will be administered throughout the nursing program. In addition to fulfilling the academic requirements of the university and the Nursing program, all students must take a comprehensive achievement examination in the final semester of the nursing program.

Expenses of the Nursing Program

In addition to general university tuition and fees, the student majoring in nursing assumes financial responsibility for payment of criminal background check, urine drug screen, uniforms, malpractice insurance, required immunizations and screenings, and clinical accessories. In the final semester of study the student is required to pay fees for the application to take the NCLEX-RN and the application for licensure. Go to www.bon.state.tx.us for information on current fee structure. The fee schedule for Pearson Vue, the testing center for the NCLEX-RN, is available at https://www.ncsbn.org/2911.htm.

Upon admission to the nursing program all students must submit evidence of completion of the following: (1) current immunizations- MMR, hepatitis B series (3 injections), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (2) TB screening (updated on a yearly basis) (3) American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR, (4) professional liability insurance purchased through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, (5) health insurance; and (6) criminal background check. Note: A criminal history may impede one’s ability to take the national nursing licensure exam.  If you have questions about eligibility, please contact a nursing advisor.

See this link for information about licensure eligibility: https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_eligibility.asp

The student must also provide her/his own transportation to health care agencies. Driving distances will vary; clinical assignments will be based on availability of learning experiences.