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Posted: 1/31/17

TAMIU Canseco School of Nursing Graduate Program Expands

 

Dr. Ruth Marie Grams
Dr. Ruth Marie Grams  

The graduate nursing program at Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) College of Nursing and Health Sciences is growing to meet the growing needs of students, Laredo and the surrounding region.

College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean, Dr. Glenda Walker, said the graduate nursing program has seen vibrant growth and expansion is necessary.

“The Canseco School of Nursing’s graduate program positions nurses for key leadership and health care management positions…all areas of employment growth here.  Program interest is growing, and our faculty is expanding to keep pace,” Dr. Walker said.

She noted that as Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz observed at his recent State of the City address, Laredo can be a dynamic health hub destination.  In order to realize this, it will need to continue to grow its professional population of graduate degree-holding nurses.

“Laredo has tremendous potential to be a health hub and this presents an opportunity for nurses to truly excel and lead in their field.  We are happy to provide the educational experience that can make that possible,” she explained.

Joining the TAMIU graduate nursing faculty this Fall is Dr. Ruth Marie Grams. 

She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Wisconsin (UW) Milwaukee and a BSN from Carroll University.  She has previously served at Carroll in its Supplemental Instruction program and worked as a nurse in a broad spectrum of areas including emergency, intensive care, group health, advanced pain management and as a family nurse practitioner.  Her UW Capstone Project was “Outcome Evaluation Development: A Complementary Assessment for Complementary Medicine.”

The Canseco School of Nursing faculty teaching in the Graduate Nursing Program includes five full-time and three part-time nursing professionals with a combined eight degrees and over 50 years of practical experience.

TAMIU’s graduate nursing program has earned some impressive accolades recently.

The graduating 2015 TAMIU Class of the Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Program, earned a 100% pass rate on the national Certification Board Examination on their first attempt. All have secured a clinical position as Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners. Recent 2016 graduates are currently preparing to take their certification exams.

As part of the graduate nursing experience, TAMIU students have an opportunity to research and present at conferences.  Last year, graduate Nursing students presented at the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Leadership Connection Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.  They presented research on predictors of baccalaureate nursing students’ success.  TAMIU students have presented at the STTI conference for the past three years.  A student group also presented research in Puerto Rico.

“Few nursing programs in the nation have been able to present their research consistently on an international stage,” said Dr. Marivic Torregosa, interim director of Graduate Programs in Nursing, “This is an achievement which reflects the quality and dedication offered by the faculty in our nursing program.”

The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner program (MSN-FNP) and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration (MSN-ADM) focused on the critical role of Nursing in Health Care Management.

TAMIU’s graduate programs are fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The School offers a three-year part-time option for those students who must work full-time while attending school, and a two-year full-time track for students able to work part-time while in school.  Graduates must pass their national Certification Board exam.

Nurses with graduate degrees as a Family Nurse Practitioner are able to assess, diagnose, and manage clients across the lifespan, in collaboration with other health care professionals.  Those with the MSN-ADM are focused on the critical role of Nursing in Health Care Management.

“The future of health care will focus on disease prevention, and chronic disease management.  Our advanced practice graduate nurses will have the knowledge and skills to advance the profession and improve access to health care for the citizens of Laredo,” Dr. Walker concluded.

To explore TAMIU’s graduate nursing programs, please contact admissions counselor Anna Buentello at 956.326.3110 or Dr. Torregosa at 956.326.2456, or email nursing@tamiu.edu.

TAMIU undergraduate programs in Nursing include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, considered the nursing profession’s educational minimum, and an RN to BSN Online Transition program, which enables working RN nurses to complete their BSN completely online. 

For more information on undergraduate programs, contact admissions counselor Buentello at 956.326.3110, or email nursing@tamiu.edu.

Additional information on the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is available online at http://www.tamiu.edu/cson/index.shtml.  Follow the Canseco School of Nursing at https://www.facebook.com/tamiu.nursing/

TAMIU Graduate Nursing Faculty

TAMIU Graduate Nursing Faculty

TAMIU's Graduate Nursing faculty is expanding to meet growing needs.  From left to right: Dr. Marivic B. Torregosa, assistant professor and  interim director of TAMIU's MSN Graduate Program; Dr. Julio Lujano, assistant professor;  Dr. Wendy Donnell, assistant professor;  Dr. Ruth Marie Grams, assistant professor, and Gloria Nataki Koroma,  adjunct professor.