Schreiner University redesigned and improved its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, and received the program’s approval from the Texas Board of Nursing.

Schreiner University redesigned and improved its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, and received the program’s approval from the Texas Board of Nursing on Thursday.

The philosophy, mission, and objectives for the redesigned BSN program are in alignment with the long-standing traditions at Schreiner University as well as the nursing profession.

“The nursing program is integral to our mission to prepare students for meaningful work, and to be of service to our community,” said Dr. Diana Comuzzie, Schreiner University Provost. “We are very proud of what our alumni are already doing in healthcare and look forward to making an even greater contribution with our new nursing curriculum.”

Julie Lindsay, PhD, RN is the Program Director of Schreiner’s BSN program. Dr. Lindsay has extensive experience in hospital nursing, service administration, and nursing education leadership, having taught for 11 years at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas Tech University, Blackfeet Community College, and Northern Arizona University. Dr. Lindsay worked as the director of the nursing program at Blackfeet Community College and has 36 years of experience as an RN.

Dr. Lindsay and her faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to establish and implement the new BSN program while at the same time continuing to teach students that are currently enrolled in the BSN program.

“We have continued to educate students who were previously admitted in the BSN program, concurrently improving the curriculum, rigor of the program, and refining the admissions criteria,” said Lindsay. “The approval of the new curriculum by the Texas Board of Nursing and the recent student NCLEX-RN pass rates validate the hard work of the Schreiner Nursing Department over the past two years.”

The BSN program at Schreiner currently has a 97% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN.

“Dr. Lindsay is focused on student, faculty, and the BSN program’s success,” noted Kim McAlister, Assistant Professor of Nursing.

The redesigned BSN Program is comprised of 33 semester credit hours of core curriculum courses, 34 semester credit hours of required courses for the nursing major, and 54 semester credit hours of nursing courses for a total of 121 semester credit hours.

“The Liberal Arts core curriculum leads to well-rounded nurses,” added Lindsay. “Communication, ethics, and psychology along with other core courses provide the nursing students the foundation to approach their work in the nursing field with the ability to treat individuals and families with complex needs.”

Mary Paulter, Clinical Education Center Coordinator, says “creative technology, the psychology of learning, and educational measurements are used to identify gaps in individual student’s learning. This enables the students and the faculty to work together to develop an individualized plan of action to assist the student.”

Teamwork and cohesion of both the professors and the students create a sense of community within the program. Senior level BSN students mentor the other students in the program reinforcing their knowledge and giving them confidence when preparing for the licensing exam.

Janice Fender, 2015 Schreiner BSN Alum said, “Schreiner’s BSN program gave me the tools I needed to make my dreams come true. After nursing school, I am now working at the local ER and I am loving every minute of it. What I consider special about Schreiner is that it is a smaller campus and you are able to get to know your professors on a personal level. They all seem to want everyone to succeed and are willing to help make that happen however they can.”

Clinical contracts have been secured with the following facilities: Peterson Regional Medical Center, Kerrville State Hospital, Kerrville Independent School District, Hill Country Memorial Hospital, Dietert Center, La Hacienda Treatment Center, Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center, and Hill Country Mental Health Developmental Disability.

Numerous acute care, long-term care, and community health care facilities in Kerrville and the surrounding Hill Country area have hired Schreiner BSN graduates, and have expressed a continued interest in hiring graduates of the Schreiner BSN program.

For more information about Schreiner University’s BSN Program contact Dr. Julie Lindsay at 830-792-7406, jlindsay@schreiner.edu or visit Schreiner.edu.

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