Howard Payne University has announced that it will offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree beginning in the fall 2014 semester, pending accreditation approval. The degree will be offered in response to large demand.
“The university has had a great number of inquiries from current and prospective students hoping to earn a nursing degree through HPU,” said Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost and chief academic officer. “We are delighted to be able to provide this opportunity to our students and help address the ever-growing need for qualified nurses.”
As part of the Abilene-based Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN) consortium, HPU students will take two years of general education classes and two years of nursing classes to earn the BSN degree. The majority of coursework will be offered on the HPU campus in Brownwood, while a few of the nursing courses may be hosted at the PHSSN in Abilene.
In addition to HPU, Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University comprise the consortium. Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, will join the PHSSN governing board and Dr. Tew will serve on the academic board.According to the PHSSN website, the consortium exists to prepare entry-level professional nurses with a Christian foundation for continued growth and learning. The site goes on to state that graduates of the PHSSN exceed state and national averages for successful completion of various certification examinations.
“HPU’s mission has always been to prepare and equip students for lives of service to God and humanity,” said Dr. Tew. “We are confident that the BSN degree will be mutually beneficial to our students, the community, the state of Texas and beyond.”
Michael Cadoret, chief nursing officer at Brownwood Regional Medical Center, states that the demand for nurses will continue to grow.
“According to the Texas Nurses Association, it is projected that 73,000 RNs, half of Texas’ current supply, will retire over the next 10 years,” Cadoret said. “The solution to this increasing shortage is increased enrollment in nursing schools across the state. BRMC is proud to support the partnership between Howard Payne University and Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing to provide increasing opportunities for nursing students in our local area.”
The following statistics are excerpts from the Occupational Outlook Handbook for registered nurses, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in March 2012.
• Number of jobs, 2010: 2,737,400
• Job outlook, 2010-20: 26% (Faster than average)
• 2010 median pay: $64,690 per year; $31.10 per hour
To read the entire article, visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm
Students interested in pursuing this degree are encouraged to apply to HPU now to begin general education coursework. For more information, contact the Office of Admission at (325) 649-8020. More information about the university can also be found online at www.hputx.edu.
