Baylor University Nursing School Review
Baylor University (BU) is the oldest continually operating university in Texas, having been founded in 1845 by Baptist pioneers. A private, Christian school, Baylor enrolls over 15,000 students today. The University offers 151 undergraduate degrees, 76 master’s degrees, and 33 doctoral programs. Baylor’s main campus is in Waco, and the Louise Herrington School of Nursing is located in Dallas, less than two hours away.
Students at Baylor have an active social life. The campus boasts 260 different organizations and clubs, as well as 42 national and local fraternities and sororities. Baylor also has 19 varsity sports, and is a member of NCAA Division I and the Big 12 Conference.
The Master’s Degree program at Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing is ranked by US News and World Report as 64th in the country.
Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This program is for the unlicensed student who wants to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Students will take their first two years of pre-nursing courses at Baylor’s Waco campus or another approved university, and the final two years of the nursing program is located at the School of Nursing in Dallas. Students that complete this program will earn a BSN degree and will be able to take the state licensing exam (NCLEX) to become an RN.
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive, and priority is given to applicants that have taken at least 32 credits of their 66 credits of general education classes at Baylor in Waco. To be eligible to apply, students must have a 3.0 GPA, with all grades being at least a C. Students must also have completed at least 44 credits of their general education classes, including at least two of the four Science courses.
To apply, students will need to submit a Nursing application, transcripts from any schools other than Baylor, and their HESI admission test scores. Students are admitted into the program in the Spring and Fall semesters.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Students may pursue their MSN degree with a major in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Advanced Neonatal Nursing (NNP).
Students who wish to follow the FNP program must be licensed as an RN, have a bachelor’s degree in any course of study, a GPA of at least 3.0, at least one year of work as an RN, GRE or MAT scores, a writing sample, and have taken an undergraduate statistics course. The FNP program requires 39 credit hours to complete, and graduates may take the exam for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
The NNP admission requirements are the same, except students must have at least two years of neonatal critical care nursing. This is a 37 credit hour program, and graduates will be allowed to take the national certification exam for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.
Both of these majors also have Post-Master’s Certificate options available, for students who already hold a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
This program is for students interested in advanced practice in Nurse Midwifery (NM). This is a 75 credit hour, eight semester program of study. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board certification exam.
To apply, students must have a current RN license in Texas, a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 GPA or better, letters of recommendation, have an interview, a writing sample, and GRE scores from the last five years. It is also preferred, though not required, for students to have one year of Labor and Delivery clinical experience, experience in observing birth, or training and experience as a doula.
Gerontological Nursing Initiative (GNI)
This is a program started by Baylor University to expand gerontology education for RNs who care for older adults. The GNI will host continuing education opportunities throughout the year, and will develop and provide online education for caregivers to better care for the geriatric population. All classes will provide contact hours toward Continuing Nursing Education (CNE).
Mission and Parish Nursing
The School of Nursing offers faith-based missionary and parish nursing opportunities for interested students. These are anything from a few hours of local community outreach, to a multiple week trip overseas.
Contact:
Baylor University
700 S. University Parks Drive,
Waco, TX 76706