A new collaboration between Howard Payne University and Ranger College has been established to recruit nursing students to Brown County. Through this arrangement, students can become registered nurses and earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in four years plus one semester. The exact time frame depends upon a student’s pace and applicable transfer credit.
Ranger College has pre-licensure approval through the Texas Board of Nursing to offer the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that prepares students to attempt Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. Howard Payne University has been approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to offer the RN-to-BSN program, making the post-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree available to candidates holding RN licensure. The cooperative effort between the two educational institutions creates a single, streamlined process culminating in the BSN degree.
A Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed to formalize the arrangement between the two educational institutions.
“We at Howard Payne University are excited about this collaborative arrangement and the opportunity it affords students to earn the pre-licensure ADN and the post-licensure BSN through a coordinated process,” said Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president.
Dr. Bill Campion, president of Ranger College, agreed.
“Ranger College is pleased to join with HPU in this important endeavor, which will greatly benefit students and better serve our geographic area,” said Dr. Campion.Through the new arrangement, which went into effect for the start of the fall 2016 semester, the student will take approximately three semesters of general education and pre-requisite coursework at HPU, during which the university will provide assistance with the process of applying to Ranger College. If accepted by Ranger College, the individual will then become a degree-seeking student there, working to earn the Associate Degree in Nursing during the next four semesters. Following the conclusion of this period of study and the student’s subsequent passing of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, the student will resume coursework at HPU for two more semesters to complete the requirements of the university’s post-licensure RN-to-BSN program.
“This cooperative effort is a new variation on a two-plus-two arrangement that institutions have used for many years,” said Dr. W. Mark Tew, HPU’s provost and chief academic officer. “The decided advantage is the student’s ability to return for the post-licensure RN-to-BSN.”
A unique aspect of this arrangement will be the opportunity for the student to participate in a wide array of HPU’s campus experiences, such as on-campus housing, meal plans, intramural sports, student organizations and more, even during the portion of time the individual is a degree-seeking student at Ranger College. During those four semesters at Ranger College, the student can be enrolled in a zero-credit-hour course at HPU that will allow the relationship with the university to continue uninterrupted.
“We are excited that students will be able to continue their involvement in HPU student life as they take academic courses at Ranger College,” said Dr. Magen Bunyard, HPU’s vice president for student life and dean of students. “The arrangement provides students with many opportunities for learning within and beyond the classroom.”
An additional benefit to both institutions is HPU’s comprehensive admissions organization.
“HPU’s Office of Admission has witnessed the growing interest in nursing in Texas over the past few years and we are excited to help students pursue their calling in this field,” said Kevin Kirk, HPU’s associate vice president for enrollment management. “We’re glad to help recruit students to HPU and Ranger College as part of this collaborative effort.”
For information on applying to Howard Payne University, visit www.hputx.edu or contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or 800-880-4478.
