The Commerce Journal

Local News

Discussion

November 21, 2012

University opens doors to nursing program

30 students to begin program in spring

By Joseph Hamrick The Commerce Journal

COMMERCE — In response to the higher demand for nurses with college degrees, Texas A&M University-Commerce opened the doors to its new bachelor nursing degree on Nov. 19.

A&M-Commerce President Dan Jones said he didn’t realize how difficult getting a nursing program certified.

“Getting a nursing program started is not easy business,” he said. “I was a little bit peeved and frustrated about it, then I thoughT I am a current and prospective customer of nurses and was encouraged at what it takes to get a program.”

Jones said this program will fill a great need in East Texas.

“There is a need out there in rural Texas,” he said. “Our goal is to provide highly qualified individuals for all of the workforce.”

Barbara Tucker, director of nursing at A&M-Commerce, agreed with Jones, and added statistics showing how the community would benefit.

“The East Texas region has a 9.1 percent nurse vacancy rate, making it the highest nursing vacancy rate in the state,” she said. “This will be such a benefit to the region.”

According to Tucker, this nursing degree will translate to patients receiving higher quality care in local hospitals.

Cheryl McKenna, assistant professor at A&M-Commerce, said this is the culmination of hard work and dreams fulfilled.

“This has been in Dr. Jones’ mind since he came as president of the university years ago,” she said. “Dr. Tucker and I came last August and wrote the proposal for the degree. We got it approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and SACS committee.”

McKenna said it took some effort to get accredited, and said that the real work can begin.

“We completed one big hurdle and now we begin building the program,” she said. “We will have 30 students in January. Now the work begins.

Text Only
Local News
Featured Ads

Poll

It was announced that A&M-Commerce was not allowed to have a blue field with gold lettering because Boise State University has a patent on blue fields. Would you have liked to seen a blue Memorial Stadium?

Yes. I think it would have helped the school spirit and brought more people to the games.
No. a blue field would only distract the players.
     View Results
Facebook
AP Video
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide