The School of Nursing Newsletter

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The School of Nursing Newsletter - From the Office of Dean Patricia Starck


August 17, 2009

It has been awhile since I’ve had a chance to communicate via this newsletter, and I think it best to plan that in the coming year, it will be sent out “periodically” rather than weekly.

I hope each of you had the chance to take vacation and refresh and renew.  I had an interesting occurrence during mine to illustrate that nursing education is everywhere.  I was at the Helen (Georgia) Water Park with my family, sitting in a rocking chair on the big porch reading a book on health care reform. The kids were going down the giant waterslide and floating around the “lazy river”.  I noticed a young mother surrounded by beach towels and kids’ paraphernalia with a big, thick nursing textbook in which she was underlining.  Of course I had to speak to her.  She said she was a student at Excelsior University (which as you know has now moved into Texas).  I asked her how far along in the program she was, expecting an answer in terms of semesters.  However, she responded that she had five exams to go, then would have two days of clinical (yes, in the entire program) where she would be tested on clinical competencies.  She was an LVN.

We will no doubt see much innovation in nursing education as entrepreneurs of various types try different models in both not-for-profit and for-profit venues.  We also have been working on curriculum redesign to try out new models that will allow us to expand enrollment.  With a generous gift from our President, Dr. Larry Kaiser and Mr. Kevin Dillon, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, we plan to launch a “Pacesetter Model”, partnering with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System.  Planning is underway and details will be forthcoming.

We received word from the Texas Board of Nursing that we have received full approval status in April, 2008 for a two-year period.  We also received a commendation for our 92.47% 2008 NCLEX-RN pass rate.  UPDATE: We just received the results of the 2009 pass rate: 98.28%!  Congratulations students, faculty, and staff!

Another good news item this week—We are now just under $1,000,000 of our $2,000,000 campaign goal for the Accelerated PhD degree program with a pledge from Texas Children’s Hospital for a “Visionary” level gift of $180,000.  Our Advisory Board, and in this case, the wife of a Board member, Mrs. Flo McGee accompanied me to visit with Mark Wallace, the CEO and Mrs. Susie Destefano  (our alum) and has been very helpful in interpreting the needs of the School and the wise investment for the Hospital.

The SAO and faculty hosted two very successful information sessions this week with over 100 attendees.  Things have been buzzing around here; you’d never know it was semester break.  Lots of other good things going on too, almost too much to keep up with!

Have a good week.


Dean Starck