History and Purpose
The University of Texas at Houston School of Nursing, established in
1890 as part of the John Sealy Hospital Training School for Nurses
in Galveston, is one of the oldest schools of nursing in the southwestern
United States. The baccalaureate nursing program of the UT System expanded
to Houston in 1972, when nursing courses were offered in Houston and
other Texas locations. The UT School of Nursing was organized in 1972
and began offering the master of nursing degree in the same year. In
1976, the system structure dissolved and the School of Nursing at Houston
was reorganized under the control of UTHSC-H. In 1995, the School initiated
the Doctor of Science in Nursing degree program.
Instructional Programs Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The School of Nursing offers an undergraduate program leading to the
degree of bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The undergraduate program
is designed for students who wish to enter the profession of nursing
and for nurses who have earned an associate degree or diploma in nursing
and desire to obtain the baccalaureate degree. A “Baccalaureate
Plus” option for students with a baccalaureate degree or higher
is also available.
Master of Science in Nursing
The master’s program is designed for nurses who have the baccalaureate
degree in nursing and wish to prepare for advanced practice in a specialized
area with role preparation as clinical specialists, educators, administrators,
or nurse practitioners. In collaboration with UT M D Anderson Cancer
Center, a masters program with a focus on clinical research management
is also available.
Program options available in the master of science
in nursing (MSN) degree program are:
+ Acute/Critical Care
+ Emergency Care
+ Family Health
+ Gerontology
+ Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
+ Nurse Anesthesia locally and to US Army nurses by contract
+ Oncology
+ Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
+ Psychiatric/Mental Health
+ Women’s Health Care
The adult practitioner option is offered in
conjunction with gerontology, oncology, psychiatric/mental health and
women’s health care (nurse
practitioner) tracks.
There is a cooperative degree option of MSN/MPH,
which is offered jointly by the School of Nursing and School of Public
Health. Through the US Army contract, education is provided at Fort Sam
Houston, with clinical training at various military facilities including
Walter Reed and Tripler Hospitals.
Doctor of Science in Nursing
In 1995, the school was approved to implement
a doctor of science in nursing (DSN) degree program, the only clinical
nursing doctoral program in Texas. The program is designed to prepare
students for advanced practice nursing graduate programs; train nurse
scientists who will conduct research focused on health care interventions
and outcomes; and develop senior clinicians who will implement and evaluate
innovative practice models in health care delivery systems.
Facilities
and Affiliations
Clinical learning experience is available within other UT com-ponents
in the Texas Medical Center and in the broader community. Affiliate institutions
include: The Methodist Hospital, the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System,
St. Luke’s Epis-copal Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital,
St. Joseph Hospital, The Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research,
UT Harris County Psychiatric Center and other health care facilities.
Students also have opportunities for learning experiences in neighborhood
health centers, nursing homes, day care centers, city and county health
departments, mental health facilities and physicians’ offices and
clinics. A unique opportunity for clinical training exists in the UTHSC-H
nurse-managed clinic, UT Health Services, established in 1991.
Organizaition Chart
Source
Patricia L. Starck, DSN,
RN, FAAN
School of Nursing