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UT Tyler RN-BSN Program Helps Prepare Future Nursing Workforce

By Vicki Jowell, MSN, RN

UT Tyler RN-BSN Program Coordinator

With so many educational paths for entry into the nursing profession, how does one choose? Nurses may earn a baccalaureate degree, associate degree or a hospital-based diploma on their path to becoming a registered nurse. Some students begin their journey by first acquiring their vocational nursing license and then taking additional courses toward becoming a registered nurse.

Does it matter?

Evidence suggests patient outcomes improve with a baccalaureate prepared nursing (BSN) workforce. The National Academy of Medicine proposed that 80 percent of the U.S. nursing workforce be educated at a BSN or higher degree by 2023. Many healthcare facilities now require associate degree (ADN) or diploma educated RNs to attain their BSN. To address the need for more BSN prepared nurses, many schools, including UT Tyler, offer RN-BSN completion programs to registered nurses who are ADN or diploma graduates.

While there are many RN-BSN programs from which to choose, the UT Tyler School of Nursing offers a fully online approach with its own unique attributes including excellence in curriculum design, expertise of faculty, flexibility, convenience and cost-effective tuition. The UT Tyler School of Nursing RN-BSN program has been ranked “Best Online RN to BSN Program” in the state of Texas by RegisteredNursing.org for the second year in a row. The 100 percent online program has a reputation for providing an excellent curriculum with a student-centered approach to learning. The program also has dedicated faculty with years of nursing expertise in the courses they teach, offering engaging virtual classroom experiences. Students work closely with the RN-BSN program adviser throughout the curriculum, from admission to graduation.

The program has grown over the past several years and has experienced a consistent increase in enrollment since introducing the seven-week course design in spring 2019. The curriculum has been revised and was implemented in the fall 2020 semester, with the addition of two new courses: Care Coordination and Wellness and Health Promotion. The marketing department has worked over the past several years to increase our programs visibility in the region through various marketing campaigns and strategic advertising. The UT Tyler School of Nursing RN-BSN program has developed community partnerships with regional healthcare agencies and junior colleges to bring more students to our growing program by keeping our students local, enhancing the regional workforce and supporting our local economy. Students who work in our partnering agencies may receive a scholarship with 10 percent off their tuition while attending our RN-BSN program.

Students have the flexibility to take a full-time or part-time course load each semester, depending on their individual needs. Most students work full-time as professional nurses and have busy lives; so, incorporating flexibility while completing their BSN degree is crucial to student success. RNs who choose to complete the program as a full-time student can complete the program in as little as one year. Admittance is offered during the fall, spring and summer terms, allowing students to begin the program when they are ready. The UT Tyler School of Nursing RN-BSN program is in the process of offering a fixed-rate tuition structure to all students who are admitted and enrolled into the program. This will allow more students, both locally and throughout the country, to complete their BSN degree here at The University of Texas at Tyler.

The UT Tyler School of Nursing is committed to providing excellence through all their programs by preparing the next generation of professional nurse leaders at all levels of competence and career preparedness. The RN-BSN program will continue to offer excellence in education with an emphasis on student success, engagement and dedication to quality as we prepare our RNs for the challenges within the healthcare environment.

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