School of Nursing Profile

History and Purpose
The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston, 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 the health science center. In 1995 and 2006,, the School initiated the Doctor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs, respectively.

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 who can earn Masters credit during their studies. An accelerated program Baccalaureate 2 is for students with a prior degree who can complete the BSN within 12 months of study.

Master of Science in Nursing
The master’s program (MSN) 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.

Program options available in the MSN degree program are:

• Acute/Critical Care
• Adult Nurse Practitioner
• Emergency Care
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Gerontology
• Long Term Care Administration
• MSN/MPH
• Neonatology
• 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. A number of post masters certificate programs are available including oncology and end of life care.

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 research 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.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is a cutting edge practice doctorate that will prepare advanced practice nurses with depth and breadth of knowledge and competencies to be clinical scholars recognized for outstanding direct patient care and leadership in nursing practice and health care organizations now and in the future. Students will develop high level expertise in evidence based practice and translation of evidence to individuals and populations using the latest knowledge, technology, and informatics to support new models of care delivery and quality patient outcomes. Through understanding of the complex health care system and patient needs, students will become leaders in working with other health professionals and stakeholders to provide safe, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and seamless care. The DNP program is a 46 credit-hour, part time, post-masters degree program that will initially admit advanced practice nurses who are nurse practitioners. The program takes advantage of the outstanding resources available in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) and affiliated organizations.

Facilities and Affiliations
Clinical learning experience is available within both the TMC and the broader community. Affiliate institutions include: The Methodist Hospital, the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, The Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, and UT Harris County Psychiatric Center. 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 nurse-managed clinic, UT Health Services, established in 1991.

Organizaition Chart

See larger image.