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 frustraded about it, then I though 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. Jone’s 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."
Top News
A&M-Commerce gets nursing program
- Top News
-
- Boy Scouts vote to lift the ban on gay members of organization
- Services pending for "Sarge" Erwin
-
Prosecution rests in capital murder trial
The prosecution rested its case Wednesday afternoon in the capital murder trial of a Greenville man, charged in the 2011 shooting death of his ex-wife, a Caddo Mills school teacher.
-
Double murder remains unsolved
Despite seven years having passed with no arrests, Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said he does not intend to give up until he finds whoever killed Cora McAbee and Brandon Howell.
-
Two arrested following high-speed chase
One person was injured and two people, including one of Hunt County’s most wanted suspects, have been taken into custody in connection with an early Tuesday morning high speed chase and crash.
-
GEUS board searching for assistant manager
The GEUS board of trustees intends to meet this evening, to again discuss possibly hiring a new assistant general manager for the local electric utility system.
-
Severe weather crosses county
Severe thunderstorms crossed Hunt County Tuesday afternoon, bringing damaging high winds and flooding rains.
-
Quinlan tables new ordinances
Both of the controversial measures the Quinlan City Council had on the agenda to vote on were either tabled or withdrawn during Monday’s City Council meeting in Quinlan City Hall.
-
Jail substation opens
The Hunt County Sheriff’s Office South Command was declared operational Tuesday.
-
Donations being collected locally for tornado victims
A local church and supermarket have teamed up to receive donations for the victims of Monday’s devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.
- More Top News Headlines
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
