Program Overview

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UTMB School of Nursing

The University of Texas Medical Branch offers a range of programs through its School of Nursing, including Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, and Certificate programs.

Bachelor's Programs

• BSN Traditional: A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
• BSN Honors Program: An honors program for exceptional students, offering tracks in Research, Health Advocacy, and Policy & Leadership.
• RN-BSN: A program for registered nurses to complete their Bachelor's degree.

Master's Programs

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Prepares nurses to care for adult patients with acute conditions.
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: Focuses on primary care for adult patients.
• Clinical Nurse Leader: Prepares nurses for leadership roles in clinical settings.
• Executive Nurse Leader: Focuses on executive leadership in nursing.
• Family Nurse Practitioner: Prepares nurses to care for families and individuals across the lifespan.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Specializes in care for newborns.
• Nurse Educator: Prepares nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings.

Post BSN/MSN Certificates

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: A certificate program for nurses who want to specialize in acute care.
• Nurse Educator: A certificate for nurses who want to become educators.
• Rural Telehealth: Focuses on telehealth practices in rural settings.
• Correctional Nursing Care: Prepares nurses to work in correctional facilities.

Doctoral Programs

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): A practice-focused doctoral degree with tracks including BSN to DNP (Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia) and MSN to DNP.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): A research-focused doctoral degree with tracks including BSN to PhD and MSN to PhD.

DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program

Mission

The UTMB DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program aims to educate and prepare exemplary Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to provide culturally competent and outstanding care for all patients across the lifespan.

Objectives

• Integrate nursing science and theory with knowledge from other disciplines.
• Develop and evaluate culturally appropriate health care delivery approaches.
• Use information technology and ethical research methods to improve practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of standards and principles for selecting and evaluating information systems and patient care technology.
• Analyze health care policy and function as an advocate for the nursing profession.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams.
• Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, occupational, and environmental data for clinical prevention and population health.
• Demonstrate foundational practice competencies required for DNP practice.

Program Highlights

• Values: Embodies integrity, excellence, respect, leadership, and professionalism.
• Faculty: Nationally recognized and student-centered.
• Classroom: Small class sizes for an intimate educational experience.
• Clinical Partners: Includes UTMB Galveston, Clear Lake, and Angleton, among others.

Admission Requirements

• Licensure & Certification: Current, valid, unencumbered RN or APRN license in the US or its territories.
• Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program.
• GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of all bachelor's and higher-level coursework.
• Work Experience: Minimum one year of recent full-time equivalent work experience in critical care as a registered nurse.
• Required Application Documents: Resume, official transcripts, personal statement, and three letters of reference.

Curriculum

The program is 36 months long, consisting of 112 total credit hours, and concludes with the completion of an evidence-based scholarly project. The curriculum includes a mix of online and in-person content, with mandatory in-person time on campus, especially in the first semester.

Semesters

The program is divided into nine semesters, each with specific courses designed to build on previous knowledge and prepare students for advanced practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program Fast Facts

• National Pass Rate: Pending
• Attrition Rate: Pending
• 6mo Graduation Employment Rate: Pending

Frequent Questions

• Before You Apply: Holistic review of applications considering health-related work, personal factors, academic factors, and other relevant information.
• Program Information: Details about the program, including its online portion, mandatory in-person time, and the inability to work while in the program due to its intensive nature.
• Admission Requirements: Clarification on transfer credits, international degrees, and critical care experience.
• Program Structure: Information on the program's length, clinical requirements, and scholarly practice project.
• Career Opportunities: Discussion on the potential career paths after completing the DNP Nurse Anesthesia program.