History and Purpose
The University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston School of Nursing, had its origins in 1890 from the John Sealy Hospital Training School for Nurses in Galveston, 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. This was the same year that UTHSC-H came into being. The UT School of Nursing was organized in 1972 and began offering the master of nursing degree in the same year. In 1976, the nursing UT System structure dissolved and the School of Nursing at Houston was reorganized under the control of the health science center. 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. The school offers an accelerated BSN for second degree students.

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 Health
  
• Emergency Care
  
• Family Health
  
• Gerontology
  
• Long Term Care Administration
  
• Nurse Anesthesia
  
• Pediatrics
  
• Psychiatric/Mental Health
  
• Women’s Health Care

MSN/MPH
There is a cooperative degree option of MSN/MPH, which is offered jointly by the School of Nursing and School of Public Health. Post-masters certification courses are also available.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
In 1995, the school was approved to implement a doctor of science in nursing (DSN) degree program. This research doctoral degree title was changed to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in September 2007 for past, present and future graduates.

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 program is a 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 and affiliated organizations for outstanding learning experiences. The curriculum includes 46 credit hours post masters that can be completed in eight semester of part time study (two courses per semester) and is designed to meet the educational needs of busy working advanced practice nurses.

Facilities and Affiliations
Clinical learning experience is available within other UT components in the Texas Medical Center and in 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, 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 nurse-managed clinic, UT Health Services, established in 1991.

UT Health Services is located at 7000 Fannin, 16th floor. This clinic offers primary care and occupational medicine care to individuals within the university and to the larger community. The providers are nurse practioners with some physicians as well. There are two satellite clinics - one in Pearland and one in the UT Physician building. Contact 713-500-3267 for more information.