Forest Country News

The University of Texas at Tyler (UTT) announced on Saturday that its School of Nursing garnered another accolade in what has shaped up to be a banner year for the institution, per a report from Tyler NBC affiliate KETK. 

KETK reported that the School of Nursing’s registered nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BSN) program earned the distinction as the top nursing program in the Lone Star State from the website RegisteredNursing.org.

College of Nursing Dean Dr. Barbara Haas said she’s “incredibly proud” of the ranking, KETK reported.

“We have always strived to provide the highest quality education and resources for our nursing students, and this recognition reaffirms our commitment to excellence in nursing education,” Haas said in the report.

To achieve the ranking, the program, which can be completed in a year, must be part of an accredited institution that offers courses online, as well as yield exceptional total nurse program completions, annual tuition and graduation rates.

Citing a school-issued press release, KETK reported that part-time students enrolled in the program can take advantage of a variety of options and flexible clinical time. 

With an enrollment of about 2,000 students, the College of Nursing is the university’s largest school, to which UTT President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun predicts will continue to grow as the years go by, according to Forest Country News. 

The anticipated growth prompted UTT to greenlight a $35 million expansion project, which broke ground last month.

Haas told Tyler ABC affiliate KLTV the new “student-centered” facility would replace the current building that has students sitting on the floor and deprived of space, Forest Country News reported. 

“Every decision we made, we put the students at the forefront of our decisions,” the administrator said in relation to the project. 

Once completed, the expansion will provide modern laboratories, cutting-edge technology and additional space for a program that the U.S. News and World Report ranked among the top 25 when it comes to online master’s in nursing programs, per the publication.