Administrative Officers

Dean - Leann Horsley, PHD, RN, CHSE, CNE

Executive Associate Dean - Lisa Haddad, PhD, RN

Chief of Staff - James Batchelder, EdD, MBA

Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Education - Matthew Sorenson, PhD, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Education - Sharon Dormire, PhD, RN

Associate Dean for Clinical and Outreach Affairs - Nicole Peters Kroll, PhD, APRN, ANP-C, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC 

Associate Dean for Research - Kelly Wilson, PhD

Assistant Dean for Distant Site Round Rock - Matt F. Hoffman, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Associate Dean for Finance - Shirley Davidson, MBA

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs - Todd Stricherz, MS

General Statement

Registered nurses have been called the backbone of our health care system. Working on the front lines of health care, they treat patients, monitor and record their condition, help establish a plan of care, educate patients or the public about a health condition and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. Registered nurses are increasingly being recognized as leaders in transforming the health care system to meet the burgeoning demand for prevention, wellness, and primary care services with a focus on improving quality and managing costs. In addition to their clinical expertise, nurses are being sought out to serve in a variety of leadership posts on bodies developing policy recommendations related to a wide-range of health care policy issues.

Individuals who earn a nursing degree must first complete a national licensing examination in order to obtain a registered nurse license for practice. Further training or education can qualify nurses to work in specialty areas, such as emergency care, pediatrics, labor and delivery, mental health, oncology, surgery, school, or public health. Graduate education can increase advancement opportunities for nurses including administrative positions in health care, academic faculty positions, and health care delivery as advanced practice registered nurses. 

The College of Nursing is committed to addressing the critical nursing shortage across Texas through exceptional graduate and undergraduate educational programs and advanced technologies in nursing. Students are educated through cutting-edge technologies and simulated experiences, which include standardized patients and virtual learning activities. As leaders, our graduates are taught to question traditional methods and continually seek the best practices based on relevant clinical research. Through community service and leadership opportunities, the College of Nursing fosters a sense of social responsibility and global citizenship.

History

Texas A&M College of Nursing received approval from the Texas Board of Nursing on July 17, 2008 and admitted its first class on July 21, 2008. The college has grown to approximately 700 nursing students enrolled at two campuses: Bryan and Round Rock as well as having many students in distance education programs. The college also has a resident recruiting presence in Lufkin and McAllen serving residents in East and South Texas, for prospective undergraduate and graduate nursing students.

Texas A&M College of Nursing graduates are among the best-prepared masters and baccalaureate nurses in the nation, and they are highly sought after by prospective employers. First-time passing rates on certification board exams for graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Master of Science in Nursing program are significantly above the national average. Additionally, the first-time National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses® (NCLEX-RN) pass rates for BSN graduates have ranked 10 percentage points higher than both the Texas and national average for the past ten years. The percent of graduates employed within the first month following graduation is consistently high compared to national averages.

In recognition of this standard of excellence, the college received the National League of Nursing’s prestigious designation as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education initially in 2016. The distinction recognizes schools of nursing that have achieved a high level of outstanding innovations, commitment, and sustainability.

Master of Science in Nursing

The College of Nursing offers the Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) with three specialty tracks. The MSN tracks are offered primarily online, with some required visits to the Bryan-College Station campus, based on the program.

Completion of the MSN Nursing Education program enables graduates to instruct future generations of the nursing profession with advanced teaching emphasis, preparing them for the national certification exam in nursing education.

Graduates of the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary health care to a wide range of patients from infants and children to older adults. MSN-FNP graduates are eligible to take the ANCC and AANP certification exams. With a focus on health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention and illness management, FNPs help meet the escalating need for high-quality and accessible health care.

The MSN in Forensic Nursing prepares graduates to care for victims and perpetrators of traumatic events or criminal acts. While caring for patients, the forensic nurse is responsible for observing, recognizing, collecting and documenting forensic evidence.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares nurses for advanced roles as implementation scientists skilled in the translation of evidence into clinical practice, measurement of patient outcomes, and transformation of health care systems to ensure quality and safety.

The DNP program provides education for the graduate to analyze, evaluate, and advance quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of patient care and systems of care. This comprehensive knowledge base for advanced nursing practice allows the graduate to influence health care outcomes for individuals and populations. This may include providing direct care or management of care. Other opportunities for graduates of the DNP program include working in administration, executive leadership, health policy, informatics, and population health.

Accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. A specialized/professional accrediting agency, CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs and of post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs. The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at Texas A&M University College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Good Academic Standing

To maintain good academic standing, an MSN or DNP student must make a minimum grade of B in all courses, maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and not be on probationary status. If a student fails to meet the requirements above, he or she will be placed on academic probation. See Student Rule 12.1 Scholastic Deficiency for additional information.

Academic Dismissal

Students will not be permitted to continue in the nursing program or apply for readmission if they: 1) receive a grade of C, D or F in more than one course, 2) receive any combination of grades of C, D or F on two attempts of the same course, or 3) receive written notice of dismissal from the program by the Executive Associate Dean.

Written notification of academic dismissal will include procedures for appeal as outlined in Student Rule 12. and Student Rule 59 Graduate Academic Appeals Panel.

The basis for an appeal based upon dismissal for failure to adhere to College of Nursing’s Professional Standards Policy will follow the procedures as noted in the section on Violation of the Professional Code of Ethics.

Dismissed students are expected to arrange with the Office of Student Affairs to begin the formal withdrawal process in a timely manner. Dismissed students must turn in any equipment or materials belonging to the college as well as any ID badges.

Professional Code of Ethics

The nursing profession expresses its moral obligations and professional values through the Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2017). Each student should read the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and be accountable for its contents. Ethics is the foundation upon which nursing is built. Nursing has a distinguished history of concern for the welfare of the sick, injured, and vulnerable. This concern is embodied in the provision of nursing care to individuals and the community.

The Code of Ethics for a profession makes explicit the primary goals, values, and obligations of the profession. Students are expected to function within the framework of the American Nurses Association Code for Nurses.

Nursing students are expected not only to adhere to the morals and norms of the profession, but also to embrace them as part of what it means to be a nurse. The nurse recognizes that their first obligation is to the patient’s welfare.

Any situation that threatens patient safety, exhibits a lack of moral character, demonstrates a lack of professionalism or good judgment, and/or is a violation of college/hospital policy may result in immediate termination from the program.

Verbal or written derogatory statements about patients, clinical placements, the Health Science Center, College of Nursing students, faculty or staff will be subject to disciplinary action. This includes postings on internet social networking sites (i.e., Facebook, X, YouTube, etc.)

Students are expected to demonstrate and embrace the following principles:

• Be responsible for their own learning and clinical practice and honor other students’ right to learn and be successful in academic and clinical environments.
• Demonstrate respect in verbal and non-verbal behaviors to all others in clinical and academic settings. The use of abusive language or disruptive behavior directed toward faculty, staff, or other students will not be tolerated.
• Provide safe, competent care, seeking assistance when personal knowledge and/or skill are not adequate. Avoid use of any substances that would impair clinical ability or judgment.
• Provide the same standard of care to all patients and families regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sexual preference, disability, religion, economic status, employment status, or the nature of their health problem. Accept that others have the right to their own cultural beliefs and values and respect their choices.
• Document in a thorough, accurate, truthful, and timely manner data that reflects findings from one’s own personal assessment, care, interventions, teaching, or the patient’s and/or family’s response to those activities.
• Act in a way that contributes to developing and maintaining an ethical educational and practice environment. Recognize that the primary commitment in clinical practice is to the patient and that respectful interactions are expected.
• Complete legally required HIPAA training and TAMU, SON, or clinical site requirements regarding confidentiality prior to the beginning of the academic year. Use patient data in all schoolwork, papers, presentations, research findings and in the clinical setting in a manner that is accurate, truthful, and confidential.
• Refrain from unauthorized use or possession of college or clinical setting’s equipment, patient’s belongings, or items dispersed or intended for patient use.

Students may purchase the Code of Ethics for Nurses by contacting the American Nurses Association Publishing Company.

Compliance Requirements for Clinical Courses

Students must provide documentation confirming the completion of compliance requirements before participating in clinical nursing courses. Information on requirements is provided upon admission and during New Student Orientation.

Locations

The Bryan/College Station campus serves as the headquarters of the Texas A&M University College of Nursing. The 200-acre campus is located along State Highway 47 approximately three miles west of the main campus of Texas A&M University. The College of Nursing campus in Round Rock, Texas provides a state-of-the-art 134,000 -square-foot structure with classrooms, a simulation center, library, study lounge, student services and faculty offices. Additionally, the College of Nursing has two advising locations: Lufkin and McAllen, Texas.

Bryan/College Station Campus
8447 State Highway 47
Bryan, TX 77807-3260
(979) 436-0110

Round Rock Campus
3950 North A. W. Grimes Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 341-4200

McAllen Advising Location
6200 Tres Lagos Blvd., Room 318.2
McAllen, TX 78504
(956) 271-1317

Lufkin Advising Location
Angelina College, Health Careers Building
3500 South 1st Street, Room #H110
Lufkin, TX 75904
(936) 633-3293

https://nursing.tamu.edu/

Masters

• Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner
• Master of Science in Nursing in Forensic Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education

Doctoral

• Doctor of Nursing Practice

Certificates

• Forensic Healthcare Certificate
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate