General Information
Mission
The purpose of the School of Nursing is to achieve excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, public service, and to advance the missions of the University of Texas at Austin through:
- Preparing students at the baccalaureate level to assume roles in professional nursing practice.
- Preparing students at the graduate level to assume roles in advanced nursing practice, public health, administration, education, and research.
- Promoting excellence in nursing scholarship.
- Advancing the health of the public through developing and disseminating new knowledge about health, health care, and health care delivery through scholarly inquiry.
- Providing consultation, health care programs, and health care services in response to emerging and urgent public health needs.
History
The University of Texas School of Nursing, established in Galveston in 1890 as the John Sealy Hospital Training School for Nurses, is one of the oldest schools of nursing in the Southwest. In 1896 it was transferred to the University of Texas and became the School of Nursing, a division of the Medical Branch, with the diploma granted by the University. In addition to the diploma course, a curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing was established in 1923 in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences of the Main University in Austin. In 1932 the School of Nursing was renamed the John Sealy College of Nursing. The degree program was transferred to the college in 1943.
With the financial support of the Texas Graduate Nursing Association, graduate courses in nursing were first offered in 1930 in the Department of Physical and Health Education at the Main University. In 1940, a complete curriculum was established leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education. In 1945, the curriculum was transferred to the Medical Branch administration, bringing the John Sealy College of Nursing and the new Department of Nursing Education together to form the School of Nursing with its own dean. In 1949, a curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing was established for graduates of diploma programs. The last class of students enrolled in the diploma program was admitted to the School of Nursing in 1957; since that time the school has offered a single program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation provided for a program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing with a major in nursing administration, first offered in 1952. Participating in the program of the Southern Regional Education Board for graduate education in nursing, the School of Nursing offered additional specialization in 1955. At that time the name of the school was changed to the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing.
In the fall of 1960, the University of Texas at Austin became an extension campus of the School of Nursing, which was still located in Galveston, and nursing courses were offered on the Austin campus for the first time. The School of Nursing was reorganized in 1967 as The University of Texas Nursing School (System-wide) and administrative offices were moved to Austin. The school was renamed The University of Texas System School of Nursing in 1972. Junior- and senior-level nursing courses were offered in Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, Galveston, Houston, and San Antonio.
On March 26, 1976, the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System voted to reorganize the schools of nursing in the system and to place each school under the administration of the president of the health science center or academic institution nearest it. On September 1, 1976, the School of Nursing at Austin became a part of the University of Texas at Austin.
A program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing was initiated in 1974. Nursing faculty members conduct research on a wide variety of topics. Since 2002, the School of Nursing has been ranked among the top institutions in research funding received from the National Institutes of Health.
Facilities
The 110,008-square-foot, five-story Nursing School building houses administrative, faculty, staff, and research offices, as well as large and small classrooms and seminar and conference rooms. Also located in the building are the Cain Center for Nursing Research, the St. David's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research in Underserved Populations, and the School of Nursing Learning Center, with an audiovisual library and a staff who provide technical assistance for clinical simulation and skills, instructional design, and production.
Learning experiences in the health field are numerous and varied. The School of Nursing has ongoing clinical placement agreements with more than two hundred agencies. These include the Austin State Hospital, University Medical Center at Brackenridge, St. David’s Medical Center, and Seton Medical Center Austin. Other community settings used for student field experiences include nursing homes, neighborhood health centers, day-care centers, state and local health departments, physicians’ offices, and clinics, including our Family Wellness Center (located in the University's Development Building), and our Children's Wellness Center (located in Del Valle).
Financial Assistance Available through the School
Application forms for the following scholarships are available from the Office of Student Financial Services and from the School of Nursing , 1710 Red River Street, Austin TX 78701-1499. The School of Nursing Scholarship Committee selects the recipients for endowed nursing scholarships.
Endowed Scholarships
The Rita Willner Atlas Endowed Presidential Scholarship provides support for undergraduate and graduate students. At the donor’s request, recipients of the awards are designated Rita Willner Atlas Scholars or Rita Willner Atlas Fellows.
The Jerry N. Blaylock, RN, EdD, FAAN, Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support to an upper division undergraduate student with a GPA of at least 3.5, who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Donor's strong preference is that the recipient be a graduate of a Texas high school or has resided in Texas.
The Betty J. Bomar Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing provides scholarship support to an outstanding student pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care. Financial need is a priority in selecting the recipient.
The Boudreaux Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support for undergraduate students with financial need.
The Dr. Louis Edward and Virginia Steele Brenz Scholarship provides support to graduate and undergraduate students.
The Edith Blanche Jennings Burns, RN, Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support to a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student. The recipient must show excellent promise for a career in nursing and must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 if he or she has been a college or university student. Preference is given first to graduates of Moran High School, Shackelford County, Texas, and then to South Carolina residents, with preference to residents of Lancaster County. If such a recipient cannot be found, a resident of Travis County, Texas, who also graduated from a Travis County high school, is preferred. Financial need is considered.
The Carol Diane Cave Memorial Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is awarded annually to an undergraduate student pursuing a career in nursing. The student must be a Texas resident in the professional nursing sequence and must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.3.
The Hilda B. Cavell Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support for undergraduate and graduate nursing students who commit to the service of public health and who demonstrate financial need.
The Joe and Tana Christie Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is awarded annually to an outstanding upper-division or graduate student pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care outside a hospital setting for people with AIDS or other terminal illnesses. The recipient must have a grade point average of at least 3.5.
The Steven and Alexandra Cocavessis Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support for undergraduate students in the School of Nursing. Preference is given to students who exhibit financial need and demonstrate academic merit.
The Fred J. and Jann Curry Endowed Scholarship provides awards to deserving nursing students.
The Mitzi I. Nuhn Dreher Endowed Presidential Scholarship provides an award to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Preference is given to students who participate in a broad range of extracurricular activities or professional nursing organizations.
The Endowment for Excellence provides scholarship support to graduate nursing students, with preference given to those planning to pursue a career in cardiovascular study and research.
The School of Nursing Faculty-Staff Endowed Presidential Scholarship is awarded to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Preference is given to residents of Texas. The award is made to a nursing student who has shown academic achievement by maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average, who has shown interest in the community through a record of community involvement, and who has shown a special dedication to nursing by participating in nursing organizations.
The Eugene R. Fant Endowed Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to nursing and pre-nursing students with financial need.
The Girling Health Care Undergraduate Scholarship in Nursing is awarded to undergraduate students in the RN-BSN program with an interest in home health nursing.
The Martha C. Gooding Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is available to senior level undergraduate students under the guidelines of the Endowed Presidential Scholarship program, in memory of alum Martha Gooding.
The Kathryn Gurley Scholarship Endowment provides scholarships for students at all levels. There is no grade point average requirement.
The Jewel R. Hagan Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides undergraduate scholarships for students in the School of Nursing, with priority given to those students enrolled in the ADN to BSN program with high academic achievement. It is the donor's preference that the recipients be U.S. military veterans who are parents of dependent children.
The Alda R. Hilliard, RN, Memorial Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care.
The Jens Jacobsen Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support for nursing students. Financial need and merit are strong considerations in the selection of recipients; preference is given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Lee Hage and Joseph D. Jamail Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support to students of average academic merit who show promise of success in their chosen field and who demonstrate evidence of financial need.
The Mary Gibbs Jones Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing provides awards to full-time nursing students. Financial need is emphasized in the selection of recipients.
The Kristi Kana Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is awarded to a full-time undergraduate or graduate nursing student in good academic standing with demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students involved in community activities for the good of others.
The Dorothy C. Luther Scholarship in Nursing provides support to deserving graduate students in the School of Nursing.
The Lillie S. Matthews Endowed Scholarship provides scholarships for students in the School of Nursing.
The Lucy May Maxey Scholarship Fund in Nursing provides scholarships to nursing students with an interest in the treatment of cancer.
The Nancy Francis and William Arnold McMinn Endowed Presidential Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care. The student must be a Texas resident in the professional nursing sequence and must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.3.
The Jode and Julie Fincher Moore Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is available to those classified as junior or senior undergraduate students in the School of Nursing, under the guidelines of the University's Endowed Presidential Scholarship Program.
The Rose M. Morris Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students in the School of Nursing.
The Florence Nightingale Memorial Scholarship provides scholarships to deserving undergraduate students in the School of Nursing.
The Endowed Fellowship in Nursing Systems awards fellowships to deserving graduate students enrolled in the nursing systems concentration.
The PCA Health Plans Endowed Presidential Scholarship provides awards to incoming freshmen on the basis of academic merit. Preference is given to students who are graduates of the Austin Independent School District and then to students from the counties served by PCA Health Plans. Extracurricular activities and interests are also considered.
The S. Allison Starr Pendergras Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Nursing is awarded to an undergraduate and a graduate student with a grade point average of at least 2.50. Financial need is a priority in selecting the recipients.
The Ella Kate and Wallace Ralston Nursing Students Scholarship Fund provides assistance for a number of students each year.
The Louis W. Rase and Sophie Braun Rase Nursing Scholarship Fund provides an award annually to a nursing student who demonstrates outstanding scholarship. The recipient is chosen on the basis of grade point average and must rank in the top 10 percent of his or her class.
The Alice R. Redland Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is awarded to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student planning to pursue a career in gerontological nursing.
The Cynthia Lubocki Riley Memorial Scholarship in Nursing provides scholarships to deserving undergraduate students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
The Dolores and Arthur Sands Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing provides scholarship support for promising graduate students pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care. Financial need is a priority in the selection of the recipient.
The M. Elizabeth Sands, MD, and Arthur T. Sands, MD, PhD, Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides an award to a graduate or undergraduate nursing student planning to pursue a career in oncology.
The Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital Scholarship Fund in Memory of Taylor Andrew Marceau provides an award to a nursing student who has demonstrated financial need, exemplary moral character, and good academic standing. Preference is given to students who intend to practice in the field of pediatric nursing. At the donor’s request, recipients are designated Santa Rosa Scholars.
The Shivers Cancer Foundation Endowed Excellence Fund in Oncology Nursing provides awards to students focused on the care of cancer patients.
The Susanne Spencer Skaggs Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support to graduate and undergraduate nursing students.
The Leila Tannous Memorial Endowed Scholarship recognizes and supports outstanding graduate or undergraduate students pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care.
The Texas Graduate Nurses Association Scholarship provides awards to registered nurses, either undergraduates in public health nursing or graduate students.
The Travis County Medical Auxiliary and Society Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Nursing is awarded to a full-time junior or senior with a grade point average of at least 3.3 and with excellent promise for a career in nursing. Preference is given to Travis County high school graduates.
The Margaretta Turpin Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides scholarship assistance to outstanding undergraduate students pursuing a degree in nursing and a career providing quality health care. Special consideration is given to students pursuing the study of geriatric care.
The Carlo and Angeline Visco Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a promising student pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care. The recipient must be a full-time student with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
The Dusky Chionsini Waters Endowed Scholarship in Nursing provides support for junior-and-senior-level nursing students who do not already hold a professional licensure in nursing. Preference is given to students from educationally and financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Marlene H. Weitzel, PhD, RN, Endowed Student Scholarship in Nursing recognizes and supports promising students pursuing a degree in nursing and a career in providing quality health care. Financial need is a priority in the selection of the recipient.
The Norma White, RN, Endowed Scholarship provides support to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student who has a grade point average of at least 2.5. Financial need is a priority in selecting the recipient.
The Lola B. Wright Foundation Centennial Scholarship enables the School of Nursing to assist several students each year with individual financial aid.
The Carolyn J. and John H. Young Endowed Presidential Fellowship in Nursing provides support to an outstanding graduate student identified by the School of Nursing as having outstanding potential to contribute to the field of nursing.
Nonendowed Scholarships
Other scholarships are frequently available through the generosity of groups such as the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing Alumni Network, area civic organizations, and several nursing student organizations. Information is available in the Student Affairs Office each semester.
Other Financial Aid Programs
ROTC Nursing Scholarships
To be eligible for an ROTC scholarship, an applicant must be a United States citizen and must be less than twenty-five years old on June 30 of the calendar year during which commissioning is scheduled.
Air Force ROTC Nursing Scholarships. These scholarships provide for payment of tuition and fees and for textbooks and a monthly allowance during the school year. For additional information, contact The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Air Force Science, 1 University Station C3600, Austin TX 78712.
Army ROTC Nursing Scholarships. These scholarships provide for payment of tuition and fees, a flat rate for textbooks, and a monthly allowance during the school year. Students must attend the Nursing Advanced Camp during the summer between the junior and senior years and work individually with a licensed BSN preceptor. Students may apply to the dean for independent study credit; applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. For additional information, contact The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Military Science, 1 University Station C3606, Austin TX 78712.
Navy ROTC Nursing Scholarships. These scholarships provide for payment of tuition and fees and for textbooks and a monthly allowance during the school year. For additional information, contact The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Naval Science, 1 University Station C3604, Austin TX 78712.
Vocational Rehabilitation
The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) offers assistance in payment of tuition to students who have certain disabling conditions, provided their vocational objectives are approved by a DARS counselor. Services are also available to help students with disabilities find or keep employment. More information is available at http://www.dars.state.tx.us/drs/vr.shtml .
Academic Advising
All nursing students must come to the School of Nursing before registration each semester for academic advising. Individualized academic advising is managed by the academic advisers in the Office of Student Affairs. In addition, group advising is offered during the final semesters of the program to assist students with clinical schedules and particular requirements of the upcoming semester.
Student Organizations
Undergraduate students interested in nursing are eligible for membership in The University of Texas Nursing Students Association. Through the association, nursing students are represented on campus committees and in campus activities involving all students. The local association is affiliated with the Texas Nursing Students’ Association and the National Student Nurse Association. In addition, students can join the Longhorn Association for Men in Nursing, the African American Nursing Students Association, the Hispanic Nursing Students Association, and the Student Community of Asian Nurses.
Qualified students in the School of Nursing are also eligible for membership in Epsilon Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.