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

Associate Dean for Finance - Shirley Davidson, MBA

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

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs - Todd Stricherz, MS

General Statement

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree provides the educational and experiential base for entry-level professional nursing practice and provides the platform on which to build a career through graduate-level study for roles such as advanced practice registered nurse (nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist), as well as a career in nursing administration, research, and nursing education.

The education of today’s nurses transcends the traditional areas, such as chemistry and anatomy, to enable a deeper understanding of health promotion, disease prevention, screening, genetic counseling, and immunization. BSN education provides nurses with an understanding of how health problems may have a social cause, often referred to as the social determinants of health, such as poverty and environmental contamination, as well as provide insight into human psychology, behavior, cultural mores, and values.

The transformation of today’s healthcare system offers unlimited opportunities for nurses as care in urban and rural settings becomes more accessible. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of RNs will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2026, due largely to growing demand in settings such as hospitals, community health centers, home care, and long-term care. The increased complexity of health problems and move toward community-based care require highly educated and well-prepared nurses at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. It is an exciting era in nursing, one that holds exceptional promise for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

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 enrolled in distance education programs. The college also has a resident recruiting presence in Lufkin and McAllen serving residents in East and South Texas for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students.

Texas A&M College of Nursing graduates are among the best-prepared baccalaureate and masters nurses in the nation, and they are highly sought after by prospective employers. 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 percentage of BSN graduates employed within the first month following graduation is consistently high compared to state and national averages.

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 outstanding innovations, commitment, and sustainability.

College of Nursing Programs

Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Length: 12 to 23 months

General Admissions Requirements: Prerequisite coursework varies by program

Application Deadline: Varies depending on program of study

Start Term: Varies depending on program of study

Specialization, Program of Study: BSN Traditional Track, BSN Second Degree Track, RN to BSN Track

Degree: BSN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The College of Nursing offers three tracks that lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The Traditional BSN and the accelerated Second-Degree BSN options are two-year upper-division nursing degree programs. Prior to entry to the College of Nursing, students in these options must complete prerequisite courses in the humanities and biological, physical, and behavioral sciences to provide a foundation for the nursing major. Both pre-licensure options prepare graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to be licensed for practice as a registered nurse. The third option is the RN to BSN (RN-BSN) track for nurses with an associate degree in nursing seeking to complete the bachelor’s degree. Students in the College of Nursing are governed by the regulations and policies that apply to all students at Texas A&M. In addition, students are governed by the requirements of the College of Nursing, professional standards, and standards of the assigned clinical agencies. These include, but are not limited to, health requirements, immunizations, background checks, and drug screens. The requirements are presented in detail in the College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook.

BSN Honors Program

Available to selected students entering upper division pre-licensure Traditional BSN track, the Honors Program provides the foundation for high-achieving undergraduate nursing majors to develop skills as scholars in developing nursing science and to prepare for graduate education. Honors Program students enjoy working with a faculty mentor on research, taking special honors sections of selected courses, completing an honors project, and presenting their work at a professional venue. Students accepted into the program will progress through the pre-licensure curriculum plan with the designation of Nursing Scholar. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 to remain in the program.

Benefits

• Work directly with a faculty mentor on meaningful health science research.
• Develop emerging scholar skills in inquiry, academic writing, and knowledge dissemination.
• Engage with other scholars in small group seminars.
• Attend professional meetings and presentations by renowned researchers.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Nursing Honors Program is competitive. The criteria considered for admission include:

• Completion of Nursing Scholar essays as a component of College of Nursing application.
• Pre-nursing cumulative GPA of 3.75.
• Strong academic skills as evidenced by minimum grades of B in all science and math pre-requisite courses.
• Strong writing skills demonstrated in response to Honors prompt in the College of Nursing application essay.
• Evidence of service to those in need.

Program Requirements

Honors students are expected to actively engage in all activities of the program, including:

• Enroll in Honors Seminars and standard pre-licensure curriculum to explore a research topic interesting to the individual student.
• Attend all Honors program meetings and seminars.
• Produce an honors project demonstrating research skills in nursing or health sciences under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
• Actively disseminate scholarly work through publication or presentations.
• Maintain Honors designation, including minimum GPA of 3.5, adhere to the Texas A&M University Core and Honor Code, and follow the Nurse’s Code of Professional Conduct.

Recognition

Students who successfully complete the Nursing Honors Program will be recognized in the following ways:

• Denotation on official university transcript.
• Texas A&M University honors medallion.
• Listed in the College of Nursing Recognition Ceremony program.
• Formal recognition with an honors cord at the College of Nursing Recognition Ceremony.
• Invited to attend Texas A&M University Honors Recognition Ceremony (Spring semester).
• All students successfully fulfilling Honors Program requirements will be invited to join Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

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, a BSN student must make a minimum grade of C in all courses, maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and not be on probationary status. If a student fails to meet the requirements above, they 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 D or F in more than one course, 2) receive any combination of grades of 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 57 Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel.

The basis for an appeal based on dismissal for failure to adhere to the College of Nursing's Professional Standards Policy will follow the procedures 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 promptly. 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 to adhere to the morals and norms of the profession and 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, Twitter, 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 Texas A&M, College of Nursing, 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 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

College of Nursing

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Honors
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN 
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Second Degree BSN
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Traditional BSN

College of Nursing

• 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

College of Nursing

• Doctor of Nursing Practice