TAMIU's MS Nursing Approved by State Board of Nurse Examiners

AUSTIN - A decade of hard work and dedication finally paid off as the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas approved Texas A&M International University's Masters of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) here Thursday.

Dr. Susan Baker, director of the Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing, said she was delighted with the decision, indicating the achievement was due to the efforts of the entire University, the Laredo community and the people of South Texas.

"We could not have accomplished this without the strong support of the community and the rest of the University. We've been highly successful in preparing our undergraduate students for the licensure examination and for generalist nursing practice. The Masters program is the next logical step," said Baker.

She said the program will utilize three main strategies to increase enrollment and ensure student success.

"First, we'll be focusing our recruitment efforts locally, contacting and admitting local and rural minority and underserved students. Second, the program offers strong advisement and support to help students succeed in their graduate work," explained Baker, "Finally, our graduating FNP students will be able to improve the quality of health care for residents in Texas utilizing our transcultural nursing-based curriculum."

Baker said graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national examination for certification as FNPs. Coursework is designed to be completed in two and a half years of part-time study.

"This is in keeping with the reality of our students' work and family responsibilities," Baker observed.

An informational meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 23 at 5 p.m. in Canseco Hall, room 111 for anyone interested. Courses will be offered beginning this Fall.

She explained sixty percent of the approximately $1 million program, or $600,000, was funded through a grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The remainder will be funded by the State of Texas (30% or $300,000) and other local funds (10% or $100,000).

For more information, please contact the Canseco School of Nursing at 326.2450 or click on http://www.tamiu.edu/cson/

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.