University of Texas at El Paso Nursing School Review
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is home to over 22,000 students, with a majority Hispanic population and has been around since 1914. The university has 81 bachelor’s degrees, 81 master’s degrees and 17 doctoral programs.
The School of Nursing at the University of Texas at El Paso was initially called the Hotel Dieu Training School for Nurses when it opened over 110 years ago. The school was the first nursing school in El Paso, and eventually became part of the University of Texas at El Paso in 1976. The School of Nursing offers several bachelor and graduate degrees and in Fall 2011, the School of Nursing began offering its first Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. All of the programs at the School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Undergraduate Programs
The Undergraduate programs offered at the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at El Paso include; Pre-Nursing, Traditional Bachelor of Science (BSN), Accelerated Bachelor of Science and the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science track (RN-BSN track). In order to be admitted into the undergraduate programs, students must complete a Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and complete all prerequisites. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a four-year degree, which includes a combination of inclass lectures and clinical practice.
The Accelerated BSN is geared toward students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than nursing and is 12 months long. The applicant must have completed all Texas Core Curriculum with a minimum “C” grade and have taken the TEAS.
The RN to BSN program is intended for employed nurses who would like to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. All nursing courses can be completed online, which allows RNs to continue working throughout their degree and complete their courses in two semesters. In order to apply individuals must hold a RN license, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have completed all core and elective courses.
Graduate Programs
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program includes MSN degrees in Nursing Education, Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Systems Management and an RN to MSN option. The College of Nursing also offers Graduate Certificate programs, including Healthcare Leadership Management, Nursing Education and a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The Nursing Education degree is taught online and prepares the graduate to teach. The Nurse Practitioner degree has several streams; Family with Primary Care Focus, Pediatrics with Primary Care Focus and Adult/Gerontologic Nurse Practitioner with Acute Care Focus. These programs are offered on a part-time basis, with online instruction.
The Healthcare Leadership and Management Certificate is intended for nurses interested in moving over to an administrative role in a hospital, clinic or physician’s office. The Nursing Education Certificate is for nurses interested in moving into a educator roleand the Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner Certificate is for nurses who already have a MSN degree and would like to specialize in acute care in adults, primary care family or primary care pediatrics.
Doctorate Programs
In order to apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, applicants must have completed a master’s degree in nursing, hold a 3.0 GPA, have completed a GRE and have a Registered Nurse license. Applicants must also submit a resume and a personal essay, as well as letters of reference. The College of Nursing at the University of Texas at El Paso also offers a PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. The program is research based and graduates usually work in Public Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Contact:
University of Texas – El Paso
500 West University Avenue,
El Paso, TX
79902, United States
(915) 747-5000
