Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing Program Review

Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN) is affiliated with Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University. Students must first complete prerequisite courses at one of the three universities, and then in the Spring, apply to the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing. Students will then take part in hands-on learning in clinical studies and classroom lectures, but cannot apply to PHSSN until they have completed courses at the affiliated universities.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses at an entry level for a nursing career with a Christian focus. The courses in the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at the affiliated universities cover legal and ethical issues in both a classroom setting and clinical setting and helps students prepare for graduate education.

Then students must fill out a separate application for PHSSN. Prospective students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in the lower division nursing curriculum, based on a 4.00 scale. Core nursing courses must have been completed with a letter grade of ‘C’ or higher. Prospective students must also have passed the HESI – nursing entrance exam, and completed all prerequisite courses. Upon acceptance, students must submit a physical health exam, tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis B immunizations, evidence of Rubella screening and a negative tuberculosis test.

The application fee is $45, and can be submitted online.

Upon completion of the BSN program at the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, individuals can go on to apply to write the NCLEX-RN examination, in order to begin practicing as a Registered Nurse. Registered Nurses work in a variety of healthcare environments including; hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospices and physicians’ offices.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program

The Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing also offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and the post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification. The programs provide advanced nursing study. Those students, who complete all requirements, will receive their graduation certificate from Abilene Christian University or Hardin-Simmons University with a Master of Science in Nursing degree. The graduate of the MSN program will become a leader in careers such as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), administrator or patient care manager. These graduates are also then able to take the national certification exam in order to begin working in the field.

For admission to the Masters of Science in Nursing program, students must complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with an 850 minimum verbal and quantitative score. Students must also hold a GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale and a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate nursing coursework. Students must also have health insurance coverage and three letters of recommendation, proof of RN licensure in the State of Texas and proof of ACLS Provider Certification. Prospective students must also provide a transcript from university in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. If a student is admitted to the MSN program, this does not guarantee he or she will be admitted to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program.

Contact:
Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing
2149 Hickory Street,
Abilene, TX 79601

Phone:  325-671-2399