UHV nursing school to transfer as university develops new undergraduate nursing program
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on Thursday approved transfer of the University of Houston-Victoria School of Nursing to UH in the fall provided the UH System takes specific actions so that UHV can begin planning to offer its own bachelor’s nursing degree.
“This is a win-win for the UH System, UHV and the citizens of Victoria and the Coastal Bend region,” UHV Interim President Vic Morgan said. “UHV’s new Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be developed to meet the medical community’s needs both in Victoria and the surrounding rural communities.”
The transfer of the UHV School of Nursing to UH will take place right before the start of the fall semester. All nursing programs will continue to be offered in Victoria by UH until UHV can develop its own nursing programs. Students who start a UHV nursing program before the fall will continue to pay UHV tuition rates until they graduate.
UHV administrators will request that the UH System Board of Regents give approval at its May 21 meeting for UHV to offer an RN to BSN program in Victoria and online. UH System Chancellor Renu Khator will recommend approval of the program to the Board of Regents. If the Board of Regents approves that UHV offer the program, the UH System will request that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board also grant approval at its July 23 meeting.
Morgan expressed appreciation to state Rep. Geanie Morrison for her assistance with clarifying the transfer process and the structure to begin the RN to BSN program as soon as possible.
“Her support has been invaluable throughout this process,” he said.
Morgan expects that it will be summer of 2016 before UHV will have its RN to BSN program operating in Victoria and online. A director and faculty members will be hired, and input from the medical community will be gathered to make sure UHV’s BSN students come out of the program ready to be nurse leaders.
After the UHV RN to BSN program is operational in Victoria, UH will no longer offer RN to BSN classes at UHV. UH will continue to offer its Master of Science in Nursing degree in Victoria until UHV administrators can request and gain approval of its own graduate-level nursing program.
Morgan said that request for a UHV MSN program will be the next step after the RN to BSN program starts.
“Nursing students won’t be able to tell the difference with their classes during this period,” Morgan said. “As UH nursing programs exit UHV, UHV nursing programs will be offered.”
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
