Texas A&M University-Texarkana is accepting applications for its new traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that will begin next year.

The traditional BSN will require 120 credit hours, including 61 credit hours in prerequisite and core coursework and 59 credit hours in nursing courses.

Clinical courses will utilize state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation and skills practice in the laboratory. Students will be placed in local hospitals and other healthcare agencies in the region for direct patient care experience.

“We are thrilled to offer this new program that will complement our existing RN to BSN transfer degree and Master of Science in Nursing program and provide an additional option for students who desire careers in healthcare“ said Dr. Kathy Missildine, associate dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and director of nursing at A&M-Texarkana.

A&M-Texarkana will admit 30 students in the first cohort. An additional 35 students will be admitted the second year of the program, and another 40 students will be admitted the third year.

Individuals interested in applying for the program must register and take the ATI TEAS exam, which measures basic essential skills in the content areas of reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage.

Students may visit ATI TEAS at atitesting to purchase study materials and schedule the test. The test will be available beginning Monday, October 17.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Research has shown that lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes are all linked to nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.”

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has recommended increasing the proportion of nurses with a bachelor’s degree to 80 percent by the year 2020.

The university will receive $1.8 million in state funding in 2016 and 2017 to expand its Nursing Department to meet the needs of students and the regional medical community.  The university also broke ground recently for a new academic complex that will include space for classrooms, a skills and simulation lab, and faculty offices for the new program. The new Building for Academic and Student Services is expected to open in 2019.

“The traditional BSN program will accommodate students who want a four-year university experience and a nursing degree,” A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Emily Cutrer said. “Many of our best and brightest students in the region will now have one more reason to stay here and make significant contributions to our local economy. Because we are a destination campus, we also will attract students from outside of the region who desire a four-year nursing degree.

“A&M-Texarkana is dedicated to providing outstanding opportunities for students who wish to pursue careers in healthcare fields and for the medical community in our four-state region,” said Dr. Don Peterson, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “The traditional BSN degree will give students the benefit of high-quality instruction in a supportive and enriching classroom environment.”

For an application packet for the traditional BSN program their website. The deadline to apply for the program is January 15.

For more information, contact the A&M-Texarkana Nursing Department at (903) 334-6649, Nursing@tamut.edu or visit the campus at 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, Texas.

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